The seventh season of Peacock's Love Island USA ended with a couple that fans loved winning the top prize. Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales won on July 13 and took home the $100,000 cash prize. People all throughout the country fell in love with their adventure at the Fiji villa, which was full of emotional highs and personal growth.
What does Amaya Espinal do? Before Love Island USA, she had a life.
Amaya Espinal, who many people know as "Amaya Papaya," came into the Love Island USA villa as a bombshell on Day 5 of Season 7. The 25-year-old is a certified nurse who works with people with heart problems and makes content in New York City. She is a first-generation American with Dominican and German roots, which she has talked about on social media.
Amaya had already acquired a big internet following before she was on the show. She had thousands of followers on Instagram and TikTok. Earlier this year, she was even in a beauty ad. It wasn't easy for Amaya to become a registered nurse. She finished a two-year nursing school, but it wasn't easy. For example, she almost failed a class. But she kept going, putting all her effort into her studies to reach her objective in December 2021.
Early Life and Career Goals
Amaya's diverse background and growing up in New York City helped make her the interesting person she is today. As a cardiac nurse, she showed that she cared about helping others, something people liked about her while she was in the villa. Her goals go beyond nursing; the fact that she is a content developer shows that she wants to reach a larger audience and share her experiences.
Amaya's trip to the Love Island USA villa
As soon as Amaya got at the property, things started to happen. As a bombshell, she was supposed to break up couples that were already together. At first, she kissed Jeremiah Brown during a challenge, which made things tense between her and Huda Mustafa. She then tried to connect with Ace Greene, but their relationship was rocky.
Amaya had to deal with a lot of problems and "icks" with different Islanders. She got together with Austin Shepard after her relationship with Ace didn't work out. Austin, on the other hand, quickly said that Amaya's kind nature was too much for him.
First Impressions and First Couples
From the beginning, Amaya made it plain that she was there to make a real relationship. What made her stand out was her honesty and willingness to show her feelings, even when it caused problems. She was willing to meet everyone, which is something that new Islanders often do.
Getting through problems and "icks"
Amaya's trip wasn't easy. Some Islanders, like Ace Greene, Austin Shepard, and Zak Srakaew, criticized her for being too vocal and passionate. Even if things were hard, she stayed true to herself. In one very heated argument, she cried and said, "I'm just not your cup of tea to drink, so don't drink it." This moment showed how strong she was and how she wouldn't change for anyone else.
She was able to stay stable because she could get through drama with conviction. Fans liked how honest she was and how real her reactions were. This ability to bounce back from marital problems became a big element of her biography. She made close relationships in the villa, which helped her stay safe throughout public votes.
Amaya Espinal's time on Love Island USA taught us all how to be genuine to ourselves. A real "girl's girl" and a winner who deserves it!
Important Events in Amaya and Bryan's Love Story
When Bryan Arenales came to the villa as a Casa Amor boy, Amaya's love life took a turn for the better. At first, Bryan didn't seem to be interested in Amaya. But as Bryan and Amaya's other relationships waned, they started to spend more time together.
Their bond grew swiftly, and they were one of the strongest couples in the villa. They were the first couple of the season to spend a night alone in the Hideaway, which was a big step for their relationship. Bryan often said that Amaya made his life better by bringing good energy. He informed her he wanted to be the only one in her life, and Amaya felt the same way.
Bryan told Amaya on their last date, "Every time I talk to you, I feel better." I'm leaving with a smile. That's what I desire for my life. Amaya said that Bryan made her feel truly seen and accepted since he let her express her feelings freely. She said that when she was with him, she only sobbed happy tears. Bryan lovingly dubbed her "mi diabla, mi ángel, mi loquita," which means "my devil, my angel, my crazy girl."
Still watching the cutest parts of Amaya and Bryan's show. They had a strong connection, and it's easy to see why so many people fell in love with them.
How Amaya and Bryan Won Season 7: The Road to Victory
Viewers really connected with Amaya and Bryan's real relationship and Amaya's real personality. The public vote made them the victors of Season 7 in the end. They were the only pair to make their relationship exclusive before the last vote, which showed how serious they were.
The Final Public Vote Results
On July 13, the last episode aired, and four couples fought for the $100,000 prize. Viewers voted for Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales the most. Olandria Carthen and Nicolas Vansteenberghe, Huda Mustafa and Chris Seeley, and Iris Kendall and Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez were all runners-up.
After they won, Amaya and Bryan were given two envelopes. Bryan picked the envelope with the $100,000 reward in it and decided to share it with Amaya. This choice kept the show's spirit of real connection over money.
Amaya and Bryan really showed what Love Island is all about: making real connections and handling the craziness with style. They really deserved to win!
What's next for Amaya Espinal after the villa?
Amaya and Bryan left the villa as a couple who only saw each other. They have said they are excited to keep their connection going after the show. Bryan said, "I'm so happy to be here with her," while Amaya said, "To feel so seen and validated and for people to see how strong our connection is..." If this ride took me to him, I'd do it again.
Update on their relationship status: Are they still together?
Amaya and Bryan are still together as of now. After leaving the villa, they reaffirmed their relationship. The couple plans to go to the Season 7 reunion, where they will probably talk more about their lives together. They are the first Latino couple to win the series, which is a big deal.
Plans for the future: work, the media, and more
Amaya and Bryan both had plans on how to spend their prize money. Amaya said she wanted to give to charity and help a community in need. Bryan also wants to invest the money and raise awareness about mental health, which is important to him.
Amaya, who used to be a cardiac nurse and now makes content, might find new chances. Her viral moments from the show, like a singing clip that went viral on TikTok, have made her even more well-known. Bryan works in finance and real estate and has a strong career base. Their common ideals and ambitions to help important causes show that they want more than just fame in the future.
Amaya's Fans and Social Media Buzz
People instantly fell in love with Amaya Espinal. Viewers connected with her because she was real and eager to be open. A lot of followers commended her for being loyal to herself even when things were tough.
Amaya's realness was clear from the moment she walked into the villa. It's no surprise that America loved her!
People talked a lot about Amaya's journey on social media. Fans liked how she handled drama with grace and how honest she was. People really liked her "phoenix rising" moment, when she got past early problems.
That "phoenix rising" moment for Amaya after she had problems at first? Famous. She showed that hard work pays off in love and on Love Island.
Some viewers said that Amaya's win made sense because she wasn't just playing a game; she was also entertaining and emotionally deep. She was a great contestant because of her unique personality and journey. People who searched for Amaya on Google saw her name with a papaya emoji next to it, which was a tribute to her nickname "Amaya Papaya."