History was made in Season 7 of Love Island USA when Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales became the first Latino couple to win the show, snagging the $100,000 prize. Ever since they won on July 13, people just can’t stop talking about this reality TV pair. Amaya, or “Amaya Papaya” as everyone calls her, came into the villa a little later on Day 5, but it didn’t take long for her to win hearts with her big emotions and fearless one-liners.
Bryan came into the picture during the turning point called Casa Amor, and what truly touched her was how he stood up for her and her culture when things got tense in a challenge.
Villa Drama: Emotional Honesty vs. Reality TV Smarts
Amaya was just about to leave it all behind when Bryan came into the picture, right in the middle of all the chaos. In a heart-to-heart with Decider, she shared that she often felt misunderstood. Being so open about her emotions made her feel exposed, especially during the early pairings.
Her raw honesty came through in phrases like, “God forbid I’m a sensitive gangster,” and “I’m just not your cup of tea to be drinkin’, so don’t f—ing drink it.” They took the internet by storm. It got to the point where Bryan took part in the “Stand on Business” trend, stepping in to explain some Latino love-language just to back her up.
Amaya’s no-nonsense attitude made waves on the island, and not all of them were friendly. Ace and Austin, in particular, didn’t quite take to her. Even though the drama was unfolding inside the villa, people in the U.S. clearly supported her. According to Business Insider, she led in categories like “Most Trustworthy” and “Most Genuine” during the challenges.
Reunion Sparks Already Fly
Tensions aren’t over. Amaya and Bryan have decided they’re finally going to face Zak, the Casa Amor surprise, when they meet again at the New York reunion on August 25. After their short time together, Zak made some comments online, and Amaya, clearly not pleased, told People, “He needs to stop talking.”
Bryan looked away for a second and then said, “I really have to remind him about those conversations,” clearly meaning it. Things are about to get intense, especially with Ariana Madix and Andy Cohen steering the whole conversation.
Amaya has made up her mind to stay away from the people she once knew. An E! News exclusive quoted her saying, “Austin, I don’t speak to him… And there’s things… I had no idea about.” About Zak, she quipped, “Zak, man… that picture is painted perfectly. I don’t mess with him whatsoever.”
Fan Backlash & Social Media Buzz
Though the winners were celebrated, a number of viewers couldn’t help but feel bad for runners-up Nic Vansteenberghe and Olandria Carthen, affectionately nicknamed “Nicolandria.”
People online started blaming the producers for making things too dramatic. The Sun even slammed it as the “worst finale ever”. Even with all that going on, the season still broke records for Peacock.
Turns out, the show didn’t just do well; it broke records. It became Peacock’s top mobile entertainment show ever, racking up more than 1.2 billion minutes watched and catching fire on TikTok with 623 million views.
Life After the Villa: Careers & Calling Cards
After their win, Amaya and Bryan suddenly found doors opening everywhere they turned. Amaya was a guest on the Call Her Daddy podcast where she spoke openly about her fashion choices, called herself a “sensitive gangster,” and talked about the tough times she’s been through.
People were genuinely happy to see her rooting for Nicolandria. They said the couple was truly built to last. Amaya, a nurse who takes care of hearts for a living, and Bryan are already moving forward with their plans. They’re planning to meet each other’s families soon and are also curious to check out more reality shows like “The Challenge” and “The Traitors.”
I’ve seen the season and what really touched me was how honest Amaya was. She had a way of being bold that felt honest, sometimes even hilarious, and always full of heart. Bryan quietly kept her grounded, never overshadowing her fire. They’ve given reality romance a fresh face, one that’s more honest and still fun to watch.
What’s Next?
Reunion Showdown: Amaya and Bryan are finally going to sit down with Zak and talk things through on August 25.
Stepping Out in Style: Podcasts and media spots are just the beginning. Brand partnerships and big events are right around the corner.
Future Plans: Between meeting loved ones, juggling fresh TV projects, and learning to handle more attention, it’s been quite a ride.
They weren’t what we expected. One wore his heart under all that swagger, and the other could switch languages and cultures without missing a beat. Now they walk away as true winners, and this is just the start of their journey.
