Temptation Island interview: Kate talks rules, maturity, and sangria

Temptation Island has those who are wild and crazy. There are, however, a few who conduct themselves with dignity. Kate Griffith is in the latter category.

Temptation Island is at the point where it has become obvious which couples are likely to break up or stay together. For what it’s worth, Kate Griffith, who answers most questions with a short giggle or upward inflection as punctuation, had every intention of strengthening her relationship.

To be certain, there was infidelity in the past for both Kate and her boyfriend David Benavidez, but the show has a way of revealing character.

Physical vs emotional

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According to Kate, going into Temptation Island, there was one ground rule: “Nothing physical.” That’s it. “Answering that question prior to Temptation Island, that was the easiest question in the world. Well, that was broken pretty quickly.” Kate confirms that hand-holding and toe-sucking were both verboten.

When asked about the relationship walls David had up, she confirmed they were more emotional than physical, “The walls are his emotional walls. Not letting people into what’s going on in his life, and not opening up about a lot of things. I’m pretty much an open book, and he’s just not like that.”

Finding a match in the house

Kate admits to loving Hallmark movies; so, she obviously has a sappy side. Despite that, however, finding a match in the house wasn’t as easy as one would expect.

If she were to attempt to make the perfect man out of all the available singles on the show, she surprisingly starts with Chris N. “Chris N. is one of the most intelligent guys I’ve ever met. We had amazing conversations about anything and everything. 100% I’d take that. Looks and physical attraction…there was really no one exactly my type. I like tall, dark hair, dark eyes.”

When pressed about Dominique fitting all characteristics, Kate coyly said “Yeah,” but didn’t expand much beyond pointing to the maturity differences and experience differences she had with nearly everyone in the house. (Full disclosure, this meme is how I saw Dom when near Kate.)

Her head and heart just were not in it. Nor was she there to actually find a husband. In fact, because she didn’t have that connection, and didn’t want to play games or have a quick fling, many were “automatically eliminated” in her eyes.

“Because you have 12 guys in a house to start with, you already see their frat boy side, their immature side. You see that very quickly. David was already six years younger than me, and that was a stretch. I’m not interested in starting a relationship with someone who is that much younger. There always is a timeline for a woman who is 34. Even though I am not ready for kids, and never pressured David, you can only have children for so long.”

Keep hope alive, Kate. Here’s a 70-year old who just had a kid.

Hidden characters

Personally, I believe Temptation Island is edited to purposely create doubt and discontent. Kate somewhat agrees: “I think there is a lot of that. There is definitely a character each person is playing, and whether or not that’s who the person truly is…you give them the material. Once it’s given to them, they continue to run with that. There were a lot of times in the beginning when I was laughing, and having so much fun. In spite of everything that was going on, I was still enjoying myself. All [that’s] shown is crying my eyes out and being sad.”

Based upon social media posts, Kate has been camouflaging some feelings and may be breaking out of a perceived (edited that way?) shell. “I find my own voice. He doesn’t deserve me. I was holding a lot of that in.” She insists she’s not a “soft, little bunny rabbit,” and is much more of an outgoing alpha. Simply put:

Small details

Working out on the show was facilitated by a huge hill, but Kate would have taken her jump rope if given one choice. When asked about who was the least active in the house, Kate replied, “Ashley G. and Sonic may have worked out once.” Eating super clean is a priority, and Kate nibbled on salmon way beyond a potential expiration date. She admits to sharing potentially bland tastes with David, and the pound of sugar Jose put in some

Kool-Aid

sangria definitely made her laugh.

For those eyeing future seasons, she warns: “Think long and hard. Realize it’s not just 30 days of your life. As a couple, you have a lot to lose, and a lot to gain.”

Follow Kate on Instagram at @iamkategriffith. Temptation Island airs Thursdays on USA.