Amaya Espinal, who’s been making waves on Love Island USA Season 7, has truly charmed everyone; whether they’re watching her on screen or meeting her in real life. People remember her for how honestly, she speaks from the heart, the little phrases she makes up, and those unforgettable things she calls “Amaya-isms.”
People couldn’t stop talking about her calling herself a “sensitive gangsta” after she stood up for crying during a letter-writing challenge. When fans and brands start teaming up, you know it’s serious. Poppi, the drink brand, shared an “Amaya Papaya” soda teaser, calling her a “sensitive gangsta” and quoting her go-to phrases. Peacock’s own Instagram replied with a smile, “i’m so gratatouille for this,” using her special way of saying gratitude.
Magazines like People, Parade, and Headlinesociety picked up the story, and before anyone could blink, fans were already loving the new flavor; even if it was just imagined.
Merch Momentum Builds on Social
On social media, people have already started coming up with fun ideas for Amaya-themed stuff.
“I would 100% buy a full set of coffee mugs that have Amaya-isms on them!!” one social media user wrote.
In fan forums and Facebook groups, users echoed that sentiment:
“We need a shirt that says sensitive gangster with Amaya on it because same.”
TikTok influencers and fan pages were all over it, sharing fake designs of “Amaya Papaya” merch—t-shirts, mugs, you name it.
Why Brands & Fans Are Investing Now?
On June 7, Amaya made her way into the villa as one of the Casa Amor girls, and somehow, she won hearts just like that. She’s 25, a registered nurse living in NYC, with roots in the Dominican Republic, and she’s the kind of person who wears her heart on her sleeve and speaks in phrases that stick with you. Both the people competing with her and those watching from their couches admire the way she carries herself.
Narrator, Iain Stirling smiled as he praised her courage, saying she speaks with such confidence, even when the words come out a little off. It’s rare to find someone who wears her heart on her sleeve but still walks like she owns the world and that’s why people love her.
Industry Interest: From App to Atmosphere
The new season of Love Island USA has made a big splash on Peacock and people are loving it. The show comes on six nights a week, and its app is actually the second most downloaded on the App Store, right after ChatGPT. According to Stevenson, Peacock shot up to become the 4th most downloaded free app and gained nearly a million TikTok followers just in June.
For Amaya, it’s the kind of attention you just can’t miss. People in the entertainment business say she’s already a favorite for brand partnerships once her villa days are over. Poppi’s got something special going, and honestly, this might just be the beginning. With her charm and the way her fans rally behind her, it’s easy to imagine mugs, shirts, or even her own soda flavor coming next.
What’s Next for “Amaya Papaya”?
The season’s winding down this July, and everyone’s got the same question on their lips: is the official merch on its way? People can’t stop talking. Fans are asking for more. And yes, the brands? They’re paying close attention.
Reality TV has always played around with catchy phrases, but using something as different as “sensitive gangsta” might be a first. Should Amaya score a deal after the villa, we might spot her catchphrases on tees, coffee mugs, or even sipping from a papaya-flavored Poppi. For now, fans can only dream while those merch designs keep lighting up the internet.
