Perfect Match’s Clayton Defends Costar Louis After Social Media Drama

Clayton Echard has nothing but fond memories of his Perfect Match costar Louis Russell, despite ongoing social media drama.

“He calls himself ‘the menace,’ but I think Louis is one-of-a-kind,” Clayton, 32, said on the Friday, August 1, episode of the “Dear Shandy” podcast. “I have a lot of respect for Louis. He’s 24 years old, but I look up to him.”

He added, “I think the world of that guy. I think he’s the most unique individual I’ve ever met, and he’s so real. I look up to him, like, how did you get all this knowledge and wisdom? I don’t know if [Perfect Match] shows that. He’s very intelligent.”

Clayton further noted that Louis, 24, “doesn’t hold back” in showing off his authentic self.

“For him to figure out himself at a young age, [and] yeah, he’s one-of-a-kind,” Clayton further quipped.

Since Clayton and Louis left the Perfect Match villa, the latter has reportedly sparked a new romance with Love Island USA star Huda Mustafa. (Louis and Huda, 24, attended the Weapons red carpet premiere together earlier this week, but haven’t publicly clarified their relationship status.)

After Louis and Huda’s apparent red carpet debut, rumors flew that his friend Miguel Harichi’s girlfriend, Leah Kateb, unfollowed the Too Hot to Handle alum because of her own feud with Huda. (Leah, 25, has publicly denied any bad blood with Huda.)

“They did it because, as women, the reasoning behind why he was dating her didn’t sit right with them,” Miguel, 28, said in a Saturday, August 2, Instagram Story statement, referring to why Leah and her Love Island pals unfollowed Louis’ account. “Whether or not they are truly falling for each other, at this point, I couldn’t care less. I wish them nothing but peace, but my road is my own, and I would prefer if my name and my girl’s name no longer closed into their world.”

Miguel further claimed that he is no longer close friends with Louis.

“It feels ridiculous I’m even writing this message, but this [is] the world I’m in, and everyone seems to need an explanation,” Miguel wrote. “So, here it is. The people you thought I was close to, please remove that idea from you’re [sic] mind because its clear to me now, we’re walking two different paths.”

Miguel, who met Leah during season 6 of Love Island USA, also shut down anyone who feels “they have the right” to speak on his relationship “so negatively.”

“Making assumptions without first understanding reasons behind certain actions and using that to let people drag her name and drag my relationship is disgusting,” Miguel added on Saturday. “I’m beyond disappointed, I’m beyond upset, and I honestly want no part in any of it.”

Louis has not responded to the online drama.