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Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
The Red Sox have entered the villa: ‘Love Island USA' stars throw first pitch at baseball game
'Boston will forever be home no matter where I am in the world,' Arenales, who has a tattoo of a Red Sox logo, said in The eight-week show that ended in July features ready-to-mingle singles called 'Islanders' who lounge in a luxurious villa in the South Pacific while competing for love and a $100,000 prize. The 'Islanders' participate in challenges and are at the whim of public opinion as viewers vote for the couples they want to stay on the show. Advertisement The show's popularity surged this summer, offering a welcome escape for many viewers. were viewed more than 632 million times in June, a 232 percent increase from season six, On July 13, Arenales and Espinal were chosen by viewers as the season's winners. Arenales won the $100,000 prize but immediately chose to split it with Espinal. Advertisement Espinal, who fans called The couple has went on a media tour after their win, appearing on the T 'Can we pull you for a chat & first pitch, Amaya & Bryan?,' the Red Sox While Espinal's throw didn't quite make it to home plate, Arenales gave her an 'A+' for effort, he said in the 'It was amazing and beautiful,' Espinal said in the interview. Her arm intertwined with Arenales's, Espinal said 'the fact that we're embracing the culture and embracing the people and all of us here as a union is amazing. I feel blessed.' Advertisement Amaya Espinal of Love Island reacts after a ceremonial pitch before a game between the Kansas City Royals and the Boston Red Sox. Brian Fluharty/Getty Arenales said throwing out the first pitch was a 'childhood dream.' 'I grew up coming to games and everything, so going in there, I just felt like the little kid inside me was jumping around and I got to do it with Amaya,' he said In the grandstand Monday, Gen X men with only a vague understanding of 'Love Island USA' asked their Gen Z daughters to explain the appeal. Cassidy Shubatt, a Harvard doctoral student clad in a backwards cap, said she studies economics and her next podcast episode will explore the economics of the show. She was at the game with her fiancé and parents, who were visiting from Dubuque, Iowa. 'I did not know they were going to be here, but I'm a big Love Island fan,' said Shubatt, 28. 'I watched all summer.' College students Clara De Barros and Bryce Lajoie bought their tickets two hours before the 7 p.m. game. 'They were so expensive, and we were debating if we should even come, but I'm so glad we did because I got to see that,' De Barros, 19. Lajoie rattled off player stats while De Barros posted a photo of the 'Love Island USA' couple to her Snapchat. 'I didn't watch Love Island but I make her come to these games, so it's fun that there's something here for both of us,' Lajoie, 20, said. 'And I make him watch Love Island,' De Barros said with a laugh. Claire Thornton can be reached at
Boston Globe
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Meet the two players who spearheaded Fall River's run to the Mass. Legion state championship
Here's how Diman's Matt Almeida and 2024 Durfee graduate Jeyden Espinal Matt Almeida allowed four runs over six innings, but gave up just three hits over his final four frames. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe The ace Matt Almeida stepped off the mound Monday after recording a save against Shrewsbury and punching Fall River's ticket to the final. When the teams met again in the championship game, he was even better. Starting on the mound and as leadoff hitter, the rising junior from Swansea earned the win and collected two hits, a run, and an RBI to take home tournament MVP honors. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'It's a team effort,' said Almeida, who struck out four and walked one in six innings. 'We all hold each other [accountable] the whole tournament. It feels great to have this success.' Advertisement Almeida was coming off a sophomore season at Diman that saw him named a Mayflower Conference All-Star after hitting .388 and playing elite defense at shortstop. Almeida opened the game with a statement, striking out the first two batters. Errors and a pair of doubles led to three Shrewsbury runs in the second inning, but Almeida stayed focused and kept pitching his game. 'Just trust your teammates and trust that we're going to pull for each other and trust that we're going to go out on the field and we're going to show our best,' he said. Advertisement Almeida settled in, allowing just three hits the rest of the way as Fall River cut its deficit to 3-2 heading into the fourth. 'I just stayed focused on the mound, threw strikes, and let my D play,' Almeida said. With two runners on in the fourth, Almeida laced a single to right field, driving in a run and cutting the deficit to 4-3. Espinal then plated Almeida for the go-ahead run. Post 464 never trailed again. Matt Almeida races home with the go-ahead run for Fall River in the fourth inning. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe With bases loaded and a one-run lead in the fifth inning, Almeida forced a fly out. Then he sat down Shrewsbury in order in the sixth — thanks to Espinal's diving catch at shortstop — before giving way to Espinal for the seventh as Almeida neared the maximum pitch count of 105. After coming up with the game's biggest hit, and making a key defensive play at shortstop, Jeylen Espinal closed the game with a save. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe The veteran Four years Almeida's senior and a rising sophomore on the Bridgewater State baseball team, Espinal stepped up in his final year of eligibility. 'I'm one of the older guys, so I know I have to lead by example,' he said. 'I'm just trying to do what I got to do, and just lead the guys.' After walking to force in Fall River's first run, Espinal delivered the biggest hit of the game, a two-run single into center field for a 4-3 lead Fall River never relinquished. Fall River Post 464 manager Sean Travis celebrates with Jeyden Espinal (left) and Matt Almeida (right). Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe With the game on the line and Almeida facing the innings limit Espinal took the mound for the seventh. 'These kids are willing to play any position, which is huge.' Fall River manager Sean Travis said. 'I [had] my shortstop that isn't a pitcher, [go] into the last inning to close. These kids have got guts.' Advertisement Espinal recorded two quick outs before plunking one hitter and walking another. But he maintained his composure and secured a fly out to right field to bring Fall River glory for the second time in the 100 year history of the tournament. Fall River faces New Hampshire's Bedford Post 221 in the American Legion Region One tournament Wednesday 'We're ready to go,' Espinal said. Toby Moses can be reached at
Newsweek
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
'Love Island USA' Season 7 Winner Addresses Cierra Ortega Scandal
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Love Island USA Season 7 winner Amaya "Papaya" Espinal has spoken out about her co-star Cierra Ortega's sudden exit from the series. During Wednesday's episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, the reality television star condemned Ortega's prior use of a racial slur. Newsweek reached out to Ortega's representative via email on Thursday for comment. The Context Ortega was ousted from the villa over a resurfaced social media post in which she used a racial slur toward the Asian community. In a video posted to her Instagram on July 10, Ortega, who had been dating Nicolas Vansteenberghe before leaving the show, issued an apology. "While I was in the villa, there were some posts that resurfaced from my past where I was very naively using an incredibly offensive and derogatory term," she said. "I want to first start by addressing not just anyone that I have hurt or deeply offended, but most importantly, the entire Asian community. I am deeply, truly, honestly so sorry. I had no idea that the word held as much pain as much harm, and came with the history that it did or I never would have used it. I had no ill intention when I was using it, but that's absolutely no excuse because intent doesn't excuse ignorance." "Love Island USA" stars Amaya Espinal (L) and Cierra Ortega (R). "Love Island USA" stars Amaya Espinal (L) and Cierra Ortega (R). Ben Symons/Peacock What To Know Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper brought up the topic during her conversation with Espinal, who won the hit reality TV series alongside Bryan Arenales on Sunday. "A huge moment this season was when Cierra abruptly left the villa. Can you talk to me just from your perspective as an Islander, what went down?" Cooper asked. "Dude, literally we all started the morning together, and then out of nowhere, she did disappear, and we all were just asking, where was Cierra?" Espinal said. "I remember asking, I was like, 'Do you guys know where Cierra went?' And then same thing with Nic [Vansteenberghe]. I was like, 'Nic, where's Cierra?' We all genuinely did not know. So we did not get the chance to say goodbye." "We weren't able to see her pack her bags. It literally just happened in the flash of an eye. It felt very unreal in a way. Like what is going on?" the fan-favorite added. "Where were you guys when she clearly went and packed her bags?" Cooper asked, to which Espinal replied: "We were all in the villa. We literally were all just hanging out." "You were like outside?" questioned Cooper. "Outside. And she was gone." When Espinal was asked how she felt about the situation, she said that "words matter." "Everyone should be respected. I just hope that she learns from her consequences. You know, she is a grown woman, so hopefully moving on forward, it's just like, this should not be repeated," she said. "Love Island USA" stars Amaya Espinal (L) and Cierra Ortega (R) during episode 14. "Love Island USA" stars Amaya Espinal (L) and Cierra Ortega (R) during episode 14. Ben Symons/Peacock What People Are Saying Bachelorette star Jenn Tran on TikTok on July 4: "Obviously, there's been a lot of stuff circulating online about Cierra and her racist C-slur that she said on her Instagram. First of all, I know that girl is not living under a rock, so she knows she shouldn't be using that word. There's no excuse for it. That's, like, first and foremost. I know there are certain words that I can't use because of the negative connotation that goes behind it, and I choose to be a good person and not offend other people. Simple. "Secondly, the way in which she even used the word. The post that she made was of her referring to her eyes and how she had to get Botox because she didn't like the way she looked, because it was too C-wordy. And I hope to God this woman does not have a platform because the fact she felt that was OK to say just makes me so upset." Ortega's Love Island USA co-star Belle-A Walker on Instagram on July 6: "As a proud Asian American woman, I'm deeply appreciative of the Love Island USA producers for taking a stand and making it clear that racism of any kind is not tolerated. "When I first saw what my fellow Islander said on their social media pages, I was incredibly heartbroken. But I wanted to wait until they left the villa and were able to address the situation, genuinely apologize, and commit to learning from the experience before deciding how our relationship would look moving forward." What Happens Next The Love Island USA Season 7 reunion will take place on August 25 on Peacock.
Express Tribune
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
‘Love Island USA' Season 7 winner Amaya Espinal addresses Cierra Ortega's exit amid racism scandal
Fresh off her Love Island USA Season 7 win, Amaya Espinal joined Call Her Daddy to speak openly about her time on the show, her relationship with co-winner Bryan Arenales, and the controversy surrounding fellow cast member Cierra Ortega. Espinal, affectionately dubbed 'Amaya Papaya' by viewers, said of Ortega's abrupt removal, 'We all genuinely did not know. We did not get the chance to say goodbye. We weren't able to see her pack her bags. It literally just happened in the flash of an eye. It felt very unreal.' Ortega exited the series after screenshots of past Instagram posts surfaced, allegedly showing her using a racial slur to describe people of Asian descent. Following backlash, Ortega posted an apology video saying she 'had no idea that the word held as much pain, as much harm, and came with the history that it did.' Espinal, a cardiac nurse from New York, responded by stressing the need for inclusive language. 'I definitely do think words matter, and everyone should be respected,' she said. 'I just hope that she learns from her consequences. She is a grown woman, so hopefully moving forward, this should not be repeated.' Espinal also reflected on the significance of her win with Arenales as the show's first Latino couple to take the title. 'My parents literally came from the Dominican Republic and didn't have the best upbringing. So, Latino culture to me is very, very huge. I feel blessed, and I feel so much gratitude.'
USA Today
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'Love Island' winner Amaya Espinal weighs in on Cierra Ortega's racism controversy
Paya-heads, tap in. Straight from the "Love Island USA" villa in Fiji, Amaya Espinal, the freshly crowned winner of the dating competition series, is the newest guest on "Call Her Daddy." Espinal, who was lovingly dubbed "Amaya Papaya" by the show's viewers, sat down with host Alex Cooper on the July 16 episode to spill on being a bombshell, winning America's heart with her sensitivity, and taking the prize money home. Espinal, 25, won the final public vote alongside Bryan Arenales during the Season 7 finale on July 13. Alongside their bragging rights as the fan-favorite couple, the two split a $100,000 prize. The New York native and cardiac nurse also got candid on "Love Island" castmate Cierra Ortega, who was abruptly ousted from the show following a racism controversy. "We all genuinely did not know," Espinal said. "We did not get the chance to say goodbye. We weren't able to see her pack her bags. It literally just happened in the flash of an eye. It felt very unreal." In the week leading up to Ortega's departure, screenshots of alleged Instagram posts showed the contestant — whose family is of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage — using a racist slur against people of Asian descent to negatively refer to her eyes. Within days of leaving the villa, Ortega posted a nearly five-minute "accountability video" apologizing to "the entire Asian community" and saying she "had no idea that the word held as much pain, as much harm, and came with the history that it did." Amaya Espinal's message to 'Love Island' castmate Cierra Ortega after racism scandal Ortega wasn't the only "Love Island" contestant to spark backlash due to online commentary. Starting cast member Yulissa Escobar unceremoniously exited off-camera three days into the series with limited acknowledgement. Before the show even premiered, the Miami businesswoman received backlash when several clips of her using a racial slur on a podcast surfaced. She later posted a written apology "for using a word I had no right in using." While reflecting on Ortega's "Love Island" exit, Espinal stressed the importance of using inclusive language. "I definitely do think words matter, and everyone should be respected," Espinal said. "I just hope that she learns from her consequences. She is a grown woman, so hopefully moving forward, this should not be repeated." Amaya Espinal talks historic 'Love Island' win Espinal, who is of Dominican descent, made "Love Island USA" history with Arenales as the first Latino couple to win the show. The fan-favorite contestants' victory earned praise on social media for its positive media representation of the Latino community, especially amid the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration. "It's really, really huge," Espinal told Cooper of the milestone. "My parents literally came from the Dominican Republic and didn't have the best upbringing. So, Latino culture to me is very, very huge. I feel blessed, and I feel so much gratitude." Contributing: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY
