‘Love Island USA’ Crowns Amaya, Bryan Season Winners/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales emerged as the winning couple of “Love Island USA” Season 7, capturing viewers’ hearts and the $100,000 prize. Their late-season connection blossomed into romance, overshadowing the show’s scandals. A reunion special will air on Peacock in August.
Love Island USA Season Seven Quick Looks
- Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales win Season 7
- Couple bonded over shared Latino heritage
- Bryan splits $100,000 prize equally with Amaya
- Reunion episode announced for August 25 on Peacock
- Season marked by explosive exits and racism controversy
- Show remains Peacock’s top mobile-viewed entertainment series
- Amaya hailed as “Dominican Cinderella” by fans
- Viral moments include Amaya’s comedic singing in makeup room
- Casa Amor twist sparked new relationships and drama
- Viewers eagerly await new spin-off “Love Island: Beyond the Villa”
Deep Look
Amaya and Bryan Win Love Island USA Season 7 After Tumultuous Season of Romance, Drama, and Scandal
LOS ANGELES — “Love Island USA” crowned Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales as the champions of its seventh season, ending a summer of high-stakes romance, unexpected exits, and viral moments that turned the reality show into a cultural phenomenon.
The final episode, aired Sunday night on Peacock, saw the pair emerge victorious through a public vote, cementing their status as America’s sweethearts. Amaya, 25, a vibrant New Yorker of Dominican descent, and Bryan, 28, who is of Puerto Rican and Guatemalan heritage, connected late in the season and quickly won fans over with their humor and shared cultural background.
From Bombshell to Queen of the Villa
Espinal entered the villa as a bombshell early in the season, instantly leaving an impression. She became a standout for her bold personality and quick wit, famously singing to herself in the makeup room:
“I never said I was perfect. I never said I didn’t have any flaws. But at least I’m pretty, and at least I’m a little funny, and at least I’m my own best friend.”
The clip went viral, sparking covers online and even inspiring a Google pop-up referencing her nickname, Amaya Papaya.
Despite several connections—including with fellow islanders Ace Greene, Austin Shepard, and Zak Srakaew—Espinal struggled to find someone who accepted her fiery personality. Previous partners said she expressed affection too quickly, making her feel misunderstood and leading to several early heartbreaks.
Late Connection Sparks Love Story
Everything changed when Arenales, who arrived during the Casa Amor twist, entered the villa. He defended Espinal during a tense villa moment, saying, “Coming from a Hispanic household, calling someone babe, mi amor, mi vida, that’s just how we talk.” This understanding of cultural nuances laid the groundwork for their growing bond.
“Every time I talk to you, my energy is up. I’m walking out smiling. That’s what I want in my life,” Arenales told Espinal during their final date.
Espinal echoed his sentiments, explaining that Bryan allowed her to express herself freely without judgment—a stark contrast to her previous relationships on the show.
“With you, I don’t ever cry out of sadness. Every time I feel like a heightened emotion with you, it’s always just like happy tears,” she told him.
In a heartfelt moment during the finale, Espinal called herself a “Dominican Cinderella,” saying, “I finally found my perfect glass slipper.”
A Dramatic Finale and Prize Decision
After the final vote, Arenales and Espinal were declared winners. Following the show’s tradition, each picked from two envelopes—one containing the $100,000 prize and the other nothing. Arenales drew the prize envelope but chose to split the winnings evenly with Espinal, solidifying their genuine connection.
The finale wasn’t without drama. Runners-up Olandria Carthen and Nicolas Vansteenberghe finished second, while Huda Mustafa and Chris Seeley, who endured a tense breakup during the episode, came in third. Iris Kendall and Jose “Pepe” Garcia-Gonzalez placed fourth.
The season concluded with host Ariana Madix announcing a reunion special for August 25, set to stream on Peacock. Fans will see the entire cast reunite to reflect on the season’s highs, lows, and lingering questions.
A Season of Scandal and Shakeups
Season 7 wasn’t all romance and light-hearted banter. The show was rocked by controversy when contestants Cierra Ortega and Yulissa Escobar exited the villa after old social media posts resurfaced, revealing racial slurs. Ortega, initially part of one of the villa’s strongest couples with Vansteenberghe, left the show just a week before the finale, later issuing an apology via TikTok.
Despite the controversies, “Love Island USA” remains Peacock’s most-watched entertainment series on mobile platforms. The show’s explosive popularity and vibrant cast kept fans hooked all summer, even as scandals threatened to overshadow the love stories.
Beyond the Villa
The franchise continues expanding its universe with “Love Island: Beyond the Villa,” which premiered Sunday. The spin-off follows key cast members from Season 6 navigating romance and fame in Los Angeles.
As fans gear up for the reunion episode, one thing is certain: Amaya and Bryan have captivated the audience, proving that even amid chaos, true connections can bloom in the villa.
Bryan summed it up best during his final speech:
“You said I was the water to your fire, but you are my peace to this madness.”
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