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Olandria Carthen and Nicolas Vansteenberghe finished in second place, while Huda Mustafa and Chris Seeley, who ended their relationship in a tense and emotional breakup during the finale, came third. Iris Kendall and Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez were in fourth place.
According to AP News, host Ariana Madix revealed that the full cast of Season 7 will unite for a special in New York, set to premiere on Peacock on August 25. The U.S. edition of Love Island, adapted from the U.K. format, has become a breakout success and now ranks as Peacock's most-watched entertainment series on mobile platforms, according to NBCUniversal.
Earlier in the week, the elimination of Ace Greene and Chelley Bissainthe narrowed down the finalists. Interestingly, Greene and Bissainthe had been one of the most consistent couples throughout the show.
Love Island USA typically begins with five men and five women who pair up based on initial attraction. New contestants, dubbed "bombshells," are introduced throughout the season to shake up dynamics and create new romantic tension. Eliminations happen either through public voting or decisions made by fellow islanders.
Contestants compete in various challenges and games, including heart rate tests, kissing contests, and compatibility tasks, all aimed at stirring drama and romance. Halfway through the season, the show introduces the Casa Amor twist, where established couples are separated and tempted by new singles, testing their loyalty and emotional bonds.
Espinal joined the villa early on as a bombshell and quickly became one of the most memorable personalities of the season. She had several brief relationships, including with Ace Greene, Austin Shepard, and Zak Srakaew, but none of them lasted. Still, she stood out for her confidence and humour.
One moment, in particular, went viral: "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," she sang in the makeup room, a clip that inspired memes and even a Google pop-up when her nickname, "Amaya Papaya," is searched.
Critics among her earlier partners felt she was too affectionate too quickly, but that perception changed when she met Arenales during Casa Amor. He defended her expressive nature by explaining, "Coming from a Hispanic household, calling someone babe, mi amor, mi vida, that's just how we talk." From then on, their relationship grew stronger.
During their final date, Arenales told Espinal, "Every time I talk to you, like, my energy is up. I'm walking out smiling. That's what I want in my life." Espinal felt seen and accepted by Arenales in a way that her previous connections lacked.
She said he allowed her to express emotions freely and that, for the first time, she didn't have to tone down her love. In her words, every step she took led her to "find my personal prince charming."
Arenales ended his final speech by calling her, "mi diabla, mi alma, y mi loquita," which translates to "my devil, my soul, and my madness."