Latest news with #BryanArenales
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
People's Princess Amaya Papaya, Late Breakups, Nicolandria: Fans React to ‘Love Island' Finale
The time has come for Love Island USA viewers to put down their pitchforks and popcorn. Season Seven concluded on Sunday evening with heartfelt romantic declarations, a breakup anyone with eyes could have seen coming from a thousand miles away, and a collective sigh of relief from the fans at home that Total Drama Island is finally over and normal life can resume — maybe. Over the past six weeks, Love Island saw two contestants removed from the show after their digital footprints revealed the past use of racist and derogatory language; multiple closed-off couples were dumped from the Island despite their connections; and production changes to the connection-challenging Casa Amor made the villa feel like a true social experiment, or nature documentary. More from Rolling Stone 'Love Island Games' Sets Return After Two Years With Ariana Madix Taking Over as Host 'Love Island USA' Season 7 Winners Revealed How to Watch 'Love Island USA' Season 7 Finale Online Through all of the highs and extreme lows, viewers were able to see two real love stories make it to the finale. 'Amaya really came out on top fr fr she got jumped by three different men at the same time and they all got sent home back to back and she won the damn season,' one user wrote on X, referring to Amaya Espinal who won Season Seven in her couple with Bryan Arenales. Earlier in the season, Amaya entered the villa as a bombshell and cycled through multiple connections with men who found her emotions and affection overbearing. During one challenge, her former flames Ace Greene, Austin Shepard, and Zak Srakaew openly criticized her to the point of tears for coming on too strong, despite her giving them each a chance to set their boundaries early on. Arenales, a new addition to the villa from Casa Amor, stepped in to defend her, saying, 'Coming from a Hispanic household, calling someone babe, mi amor, mi vida — that's just how we talk.' 'Amaya and Bryan — both latinos — being the first latino couple to win Love Island USA in the middle of trump's administration MI GENTE LATINO WE WON,' one viewer wrote on X. Some others were rooting for Amaya Papaya, but remained weary of Arenales. During the finale, while each couple prepared to be sent on their final date, he encouraged fellow Casa Amor holdover Chris Seeley to push through his date with Huda Mustafa despite the clear cracks in their connection. A few viewers read the interaction as Arenales telling Seeley to 'fake it,' but what does it matter when the date ended in a breakup, anyway. Even the singer the show's producers tapped to perform during their date — who emerged at the worst possible time — seemed over it. 'Chris and Huda breaking up during the finale whilst Chelley and Ace (the only real and genuine relationship of the season) was booted right before sums up this garbage and embarrassing season 7 of love island USA,' one viewer said. Mustafa was nearly dumped from the island at multiple points throughout the season, but made it to the final four on the strength of the fans who voted for her, even if they didn't believe Seeley was her match. 'Idc how you feel about Huda, Chris telling the boys he knew he would never marry a girl like her but forcing HER to end it and act like that was all her and how she felt, not him, was little boy behavior,' another viewer said. '#LoveIslandUSA Season 7 was very unserious. Singles got saved 2-3 times, multiple couples formed a week before the finale and a couple breaks up in the finale episode,' read one user's summation of the season. Included in the recently-formed couples were runner-ups Olandria Carthen and Nic Vansteenberghe, but viewers with a sharp eye and ample delusion saw the foundation being laid from the very first episode. Vansteenberghe confessing to Carthen during the finale that he kissed her in the blindfold challenge during the first week was the cherry on top. 'If I never experience love again I'll be okay because I got to witness the real-life slow burn. Friends to lovers. Subtle glances across the room. I'm kicking my feet up and sleeping good tonight. #nicolandria forever,' one viewer wrote, while another celebrated in all-caps ferver, 'NICOLANDRIA NATION WE STILL FUCKING WON. WE GOT THEM TOGETHER AND YKW SECOND PLACE AINT BAD. BEING DELUSIONAL GETS YOU PLACES DONT LET PEOPLE TELL YOU DIFFERENT! #LoveIslandUSA.' Love Island will bring everyone back together for a reunion on Aug. 25 with Andy Cohen and Ariana Madix as hosts. Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Best 'Saturday Night Live' Characters of All Time Denzel Washington's Movies Ranked, From Worst to Best 70 Greatest Comedies of the 21st Century Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Love Island USA' 7 Breaks the Records as Biggest Season for Any Peacock Original
Mommy? Mamacita? Love Island USA's seventh season broke the record at Peacock for the most-watched season of the show yet — and also the biggest season for an original show on the platform. According to new data from NCUniversal, the season, won by Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales, accounted for 18.4 billion minutes of watchtime over its six-week run. The streaming numbers cover viewership across TV, phones, and other viewing methods. (Hollywood Reporter acquired the data.) More from Rolling Stone With a Price Hike on the Way, Now Might Be the Time to Sign Up for Peacock What 'Love Island USA' Revealed About Culture and Dating Is Straight-Up Sinister People's Princess Amaya Papaya, Late Breakups, Nicolandria: Fans React to 'Love Island' Finale About 30 percent of the 18.4 billion minutes for the season came through mobile devices, and over half of viewers were under 35, according to Nielsen. Nearly half of the Love Island USA Season 7 viewers were new to the franchise. The show's hashtag on TikTok #LoveIslandUSA received more than 1.7 billion video views and 2.2 billion more on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and X. The reality show had numerous viral moments from several contestants that reached even those not watching the show closely. According to Nielsen, which specifically tracks TV-watching, the show garnered 5.11 billion minutes of screen time and increased in each of the four weeks from June 2 through June 29. Peacock announced following the finale episode that the Love Island USA reunion special will premiere on Aug. 25 and will be hosted by Ariana Madix and Andy Cohen. Peacock also shared that Madix will host Season 2 of Love Island Games, set to premiere Sept. 16. Along with Amaya and Bryan, who won the season, the final couples included Huda and Chris, Olandria and Nic, and Iris and Pepe. Chelley and Ace were dumped from the Villa during Friday's episode. This season featured several controversies following the removal of two contestants over their past use of racial slurs. Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Best 'Saturday Night Live' Characters of All Time Denzel Washington's Movies Ranked, From Worst to Best 70 Greatest Comedies of the 21st Century Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Who won Love Island USA Season 7? Fans are overjoyed after learning who won $100K prize... and who came up empty
Season 7 of Love Island USA came to a close with Sunday night's epic two-hour finale on Peacock, where fans learned which couple walked away as winners. There were just four couples left - Nic Vansteenberghe and Olandria Carthen, Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales, Iris Kendall and Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez and Huda Mustafa and Chris Seeley - heading into Sunday's finale. Each of the four couples went on one last epic date, before the winner was declared by host Ariana Madix. However, only one member of the winning couple was actually awarded the $100K prize, and they must decide whether or not to split it with their partner. It was also revealed that there will be a Season 7 reunion special co-hosted by Madix and Andy Cohen, airing Monday, August 25 at 9 PM ET on Peacock. So who won this tumultuous season of Love Island USA? It was in fact Amaya and Bryan who emerged victorious! Iris Kendall and Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez finished in fourth place and Huda Mustafa and Chris Seele were in third, which shocked Huda since they revealed earlier in the finale that they were going to be 'just friends.' 'How the f**k did we get third? We're not even together-together,' Huda said with a laugh after leaning of her third-place finish. Amaya and Bryan beat out runners-up Nic and Olandria for the prize, with each of them given cards - one of which had $0 and the other with $100,000. 'I feel so seen and validated for people to see how strong our connection is,' Amaya said after winning. 'Meeting Amaya here, turned my experience around ridiculously. It feels surreal,' Bryan said. Amaya's card was $0 with Bryan winning $100,000, who was then faced with the choice to split the cash with Amaya or take it all. 'Honestly, this isn't even really a question for me. Me and Amaya talk about our upbringings a lot. All I keep thinking about is my dad saying, "Money is important but it isn't everything." Of course I'm splitting this money with Amaya,' Bryan said. Many fans quickly took to social media to praise the winners, such as Ang (@scorpiogrooves), who said, 'AMAYA OUR S7 WINNER! CERTIFIED PEOPLE'S PRINCESS! MWUAHHH.' Amaya and Bryan beat out runners-up Nic and Olandria for the prize, with each of them given cards - one of which had $0 and the other with $100,000. Amaya's card was $0 with Bryan winning $100,000, who was then faced with the choice to split the cash or take it all. Others were seemingly thrilled that Huda didn't win, such as @Purple_Porcupin, who said, 'Huda didn't touch the 100k #LoveIslandUSA.' Another fan dubbed @outrofinesse said, 'Still can't believe Huda and Chris made the final four...' Another fan - @kkaemdongie - thought, 'Bryan and Amaya match so well the advice they give out is basically the same thing #loveislandusa.' One fan - @joyy280 - spoke directly to Huda, stating, 'I'm sorry u had to go through that embarrassing moment, but sista we tried to tell your fans he wasn't into u but they kept voting to keep you guys… we want to save u the embarrassment.' Kami (@iheartk4mi) added, 'my amaya papaya the win was so deserved #LoveIslandUSA.' Jay (@shootaforsana) quote-retweeted her own tweet from late June, where she said, 'and just like that, amaya papaya will be winning love island usa 2025. we will be making sure of it !!' adding in her new tweet, 'THERE IS POWERRRRR IN THE NAME OF JESUS #LoveIslandUSA.' Big John (@johnny9170) added, 'I'm glad Amaya and Bryan won tbh. In my opinion it was the only choice #LoveIslandUSA.' Many expressed their anger at Huda and Chris landing in the finale - only to break up - since they seemingly 'stole' a spot from fan favorites Ace and Chelly, who were eliminated just before the finale in fifth place. X user @Gamecock_Alum11 said, 'Huda and Chris was a waste of space! Yall really voted for them over Ace and Chelly for this bulls**t! I am PISSED! #LoveIslandUSA.' Another fan dubbed @outrofinesse said, 'Still can't believe Huda and Chris made the final four...' Another fan - @kkaemdongie - thought, 'Bryan and Amaya match so well the advice they give out is basically the same thing #loveislandusa.' One fan - @joyy280 - spoke directly to Huda, stating, 'I'm sorry u had to go through that embarrassing moment, but sista we tried to tell your fans he wasn't into u but they kept voting to keep you guys… we want to save u the embarrassment.' Kiara Caitlin (@KiaraCaitlin_) tweeted, 'This just shows why Huda & Chris shouldn't have made it to the final 4 and it should've been Ace & Chelly #LoveIslandUSA.' Primadonna Fairy (@primadonnafairy) admitted, 'I don't even like Chelly and ace but I'm honest enough to admit that Chris and Huda were a waste of the final 4 and they deserved it more.. huda in general like wow just a waste of experience and ruining the other islanders experiences too.' Others like Katie Scott (@KatieScottNews) called Season 7 the, 'Worst season ever but at least Amaya Papaya won.' Cognac Queen (@CognacQueenLady) even admitted, 'Am I the only one that didn't finish #LoveIslandUSA season 7? I haven't watched in a couple of weeks. This was the WORST season. I doubt I'm gonna move forward with this show.' One of this season's most controversial contestants was Cierra Ortega, a 25-year-old content creator from Phoenix, who was promptly removed from the show after multiple posts surfaced of her using a racial slur. Just hours before the finale aired on Peacock, Ortega took to her Instagram story to share some of the threats she received online. 'Hey so is this still about accountability or...' Ortega captioned the post, which featured screengrabs of several online threats she has received. 'FK w***e I hope you get raped and abused I will ask God about this every day and pray you experience it,' wrote one user. Primadonna Fairy (@primadonnafairy) admitted, 'I don't even like Chelly and ace but I'm honest enough to admit that Chris and Huda were a waste of the final 4 and they deserved it more.. huda in general like wow just a waste of experience and ruining the other islanders experiences too.' Cognac Queen (@CognacQueenLady) even admitted, 'Am I the only one that didn't finish #LoveIslandUSA season 7? I haven't watched in a couple of weeks. This was the WORST season. I doubt I'm gonna move forward with this show.' Kiara Caitlin (@KiaraCaitlin_) tweeted, 'This just shows why Huda & Chris shouldn't have made it to the final 4 and it should've been Ace & Chelly #LoveIslandUSA.' 'Hey so is this still about accountability or...' Ortega captioned the post, which featured screengrabs of several online threats she has received. Another said that they would 'call ICE on ur family again,' while another said, 'Going on Love Island was the biggest mistake of your life. You're such a flop and I hope you die. Another online user said, 'Next time I see you in LA,' with four green gun emojis, while another said, 'I'm gonna kill you and your family you stupid b***h!' 'I hope you kick the bucket you racist duck lips,' said another fan while the final message was, 'H@ng urself u ignorant racist b***h.' Ortega also shared a snap of her with her back to the camera with both arms raised along with a message to her fans and haters alike. 'Unfortunately for those who wish to harm me, I carry nothing but love in my heart. For my life, the people in it, and every waking moment I get to spend on this Earth,' Ortega began. 'What should be a collective opportunity to address derogatory language and the harm they carry, has instead snowballed into an excuse for cruelty,' she added. 'Still, I refuse to let misery find company here. I'll keep living with love, presence, and gratitude. Especially in the painful moments, because they, too, shape who we are,' she said. 'I have every belief that all this energy can be alchemized into something with real impact,' she added. 'If even a fraction of it was used to uplift the community directly impacted - to continue amplifying Asian voices & their healing - imagine how much further we could be as a collective,' she added. Ortega concluded, 'Be kind to someone today. And tomorrow. And every day after that. Love will always go further.' The islanders from Love Island Season 7 will return on the reunion special airing Monday, August 25 at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT on Peacock. It's unclear at the moment if Ortega will be one of the returning islanders featured on the reunion or not.
Black America Web
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Love Island USA Season 7 Finale: Amaya and Bryan Crowned Champions
Source: Love Island USA, as Season 7's finale delivered all the romance and suspense fans could hope for on Peacock. After a summer filled with new connections, passionate showdowns, and dramatic exits, it was Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales who walked away as America's favorite couple—securing both bragging rights and the coveted $100,000 cash prize. The path to the finale was anything but predictable, and the final four couples represented resilience, chemistry, and personal growth: Source: NBCUniversal Media / Peacock Amaya Espinal & Bryan Arenales – From their first coupling, Amaya and Bryan captured viewers' hearts with their genuine bond and unwavering support for one another. Despite temptations and twists in the villa, they navigated every challenge as a team, building trust that ultimately took them all the way to victory. Source: NBCUniversal Media / Peacock Nic Vansteenberghe & Olandria Carthen – Fan favorites in their own right, Nic and Olandria weathered a rollercoaster of emotions. Their journey was marked by honesty and vulnerability, as they overcame early doubts and obstacles—emerging as the runners-up after earning huge support from the public. STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! Source: NBCUniversal Media / Peacock Iris Kendall & Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez – With a sparkling connection that sometimes flew under the radar, Iris and Pepe's romance blossomed in the second half of the season. Their steady and sincere partnership was lauded for maturity and heartfelt moments. Source: NBCUniversal Media / Peacock Huda Mustafa & Chris Seeley – The underdogs of the group, Huda and Chris charmed audiences with their playful banter and slow-burn affection. Their friendship-first approach turned into something deeper as the finale neared, earning them a well-deserved spot in the last four. The finale was packed with touching speeches, affectionate declarations, and the palpable tension of the final vote, with the winner revealed by show host Ariana Madix. Black America Web got in on the Love Island Season 7 fun with a live panel breaking down all of the highs and lows of the season. Check out the video here: LIKE US ON FACEBOOK . FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER . SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE . STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! HEAD TO THE HOMEPAGE SEE ALSO
CBC
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Who won Love Island USA? Winning couple crowned after tumultuous Season 7
Social Sharing Love Island USA ended a tumultuous summer full of explosive breakups and shock exits with its season finale on Sunday. A public vote crowned Amaya Espinal, 25, and Bryan Arenales, 28, as the winning couple of its seventh season. The Peacock reality series, which streams on Crave in Canada, has had a chart-topping run since the season premiered on June 3. The series brings young singles together in a remote villa in Fiji to explore connections with the ultimate goal of finding love. Espinal and Arenales formed a connection late in the season, bonding over their shared Latino culture. Espinal, a New York City native, is Dominican, and Arenales is of Puerto Rican and Guatemalan descent, according to his Instagram page. "I often said how much I wanted to provide that safe place here for you, but little did I know that you would do that for me, too," Arenales said during his final speech before the winners were announced. "You said I was the water to your fire, but you are my peace to this madness." Each contestant in the winning couple randomly picked from two envelopes — one that contained the $100,000 US prize and the other nothing. Arenales got the full prize, and chose to split it evenly with Espinal. Olandria Carthen and Nicolas Vansteenberghe were the runners-up, and Huda Mustafa and Chris Seeley — who went through an awkward and emotional breakup during the finale — came in third place. Iris Kendall and Jose (Pepe) Garcia-Gonzalez placed fourth. The show's host, Ariana Madix, also announced that the entire cast of Season 7 will come together again for a New York reunion, which will be released on Peacock on Aug. 25, she said. Love Island USA contestants face harsh reality on social media 3 days ago Duration 1:54 A 'Dominican Cinderella' story The final four couples each went on dates during the last episode before the winners were crowned. Espinal and Arenales were given a photo book with pictures of each other throughout their lives, culminating with photos from their relationship during the show. The two bonded over family traditions. "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," Espinal said. The date ended with Espinal and Arenales taking a picture, a final memory from their time on Love Island USA. The couple then made their relationship exclusive, noting they will only focus on each other when they leave the island. "I feel like I'm a Dominican Cinderella when I'm with you, and I finally found my perfect glass slipper," Espinal said during their date. Shake-ups, scandal and surveillance The show, an American spinoff of the UK series, has shaken up reality TV, becoming Peacock's most-watched entertainment series on mobile devices, according to NBC Universal. It became a breakout success and captured mainstream attention last summer, and this season grew into a cultural phenomenon. Stripped of their phones and connection with the outside world, five men and five women arrive in the villa and coupled up based on initial romantic interest. Throughout the season, the show introduces a steady stream of bombshells, new contestants who are brought in to disrupt existing relationships and build new storylines. Contestants are routinely dumped from the villa, removed either by a public vote or by the islanders themselves. Under constant surveillance, contestants partook in kissing competitions, heart rate challenges and drama-inducing games ripe for viral moments. Halfway through the season, established couples were temporarily separated for Casa Amor, the show's ultimate test, and encouraged to explore new relationships with a fresh group of single contestants. This season also came under fire as two contestants — Cierra Ortega and Yulissa Escobar — left the villa following resurfaced posts in which they used racial slurs. Ortega, who was half of one of the season's strongest couples with Vansteenberghe, left the villa just a week before the show's finale after old posts resurfaced that contained a slur against Asian people. She apologized for the posts in a nearly five-minute TikTok video on Wednesday. Friday's episode saw the elimination of Ace Greene and Chelley Bissainthe, setting the stage for the finale. Green and Bissainthe were the only couple to maintain a relationship throughout most of the show.
