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Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I couldn't understand the 'Love Island USA' obsession. Then I crashed a finale watch party.
Warning: This story contains spoilers for the finale of Love Island USA. I love a good reality show, but I've spent years not watching Love Island USA for no other reason than the time commitment. It feels greedy for a show to demand my attention for new hour-long episodes on Peacock six out of the seven days a week for six weeks straight! Who do these people think they are? But after spending at least 30 minutes in bafflement on the beach over the July 4 weekend while everyone around me gushed about their favorite (and least favorite) TV stars I'd never heard of, my resistance began to crack. It was the most lost I'd felt in a cultural conversation in more than a decade. Love Island USA isn't just taking over beaches, either. It's all over social media, where the mere word 'mamacita' has launched 1,000 memes. And so, on a humid summer night, I trekked into New York City's Greenwich Village to join fans at a watch party at The Comedy Shop for the Love Island USA Season 7 finale and learn firsthand, as a first-time viewer, why this season propelled the show from a quirky U.K. import to an inescapable American classic. As I soon found out, Islanders are an exquisitely chill and welcoming bunch — and they're happy to explain how this neon-dyed, swimsuit-clad sensation won them over. The watch party was pure exuberance. Before the show began, music blared while Aftersun, Love Island USA's weekly recap show, also on Peacock, played in the background. There were giant TVs everywhere — one facing the bar's patio outside, three facing the bar itself and another in the darkened back room, where fans sat in neatly organized rows of anticipation. The staff wore their island best (and roses) to honor the romantic occasion. At the corner of the bar under one of the TVs, I overheard one twentysomething bartender lean toward another to compliment the 'vibes.' The energy in the room was immaculate. Fans came dressed up in hot girl 'fits, gold jewelry and stylish footwear. Behind the bar, right underneath the hotties in translucent beachwear onscreen, the Guinness toucan looked right at home — and so, too, did a light pink Labubu perched near the liquor bottles. Below the bar, patrons' Adidas Sambas and chic sandals abounded. And at the bar, we all sat waiting in anticipation for the show to begin. Rachel Kocachkov, 24, who does administrative work for a mutual fund, told me she's a newer reality TV fan. The Bachelor franchise was her gateway drug, and then, she started watching the original, U.K.-based Love Island four years ago. Last summer, she checked out the U.S. version's blockbuster sixth season and was hooked. As it turns out, she wasn't alone. Season 6 blew its predecessors out of the water in terms of viewership data. Ahead of its July 21, 2024, finale, Love Island USA became the No. 1 reality series in the U.S. across streaming platforms, according to Nielsen. That's compared to Season 1, which aired on CBS, and had around 2 million viewers. 'I like the format. I like the accents,' she laughed. 'It's just interesting, and it was a different kind of love for reality TV. That's what drew me in.' The Love Island franchise is, indeed, fairly different from any other. Whereas other dating series like The Bachelor and Love Is Blind tend to zoom in on marriage and heartbreak, Love Island feels more light-hearted. In the U.S. version, the young hotties spend six weeks in the Fiji-based villa, where they form friendships and romantic relationships (and sometimes trade partners) in the hopes of finding deep connections. The game starts off with 10 islanders whose relationships get tested by a rotating cast of 'bombshells.' (This season's cast included 30 people in total.) Throughout the season, couples participate in challenges while America periodically votes for its favorite pairings. In the end, the final four couples decide what's next for their relationship, while the top-voted duo wins a $100,000 cash prize. They either split the money, or one of them takes the money and runs — leaving their partner high and dry. That pragmatism seeps into fan discussions as well. When this season crowned its winner, Peter VanDunk, 30, who works in PR told me, 'I hope she gets every brand deal and then some. Unlike other dating shows like The Bachelor, Love Island USA episodes air just days after they're shot — which means there's less room for producers to craft story arcs, and for disreputable houseguests to blame their 'edit.' The contestants, all in their twenties, bring a certain Gen Z sensibility to the mix and they lack the self-consciousness that many of their millennial predecessors have historically brought to the on-camera experience. In other words, they're not just attractive — they're effortless in a way that could one day convince us to buy whatever products they're selling on social media. More than any other factor, the voting aspect feels particularly instrumental to Love Island USA's success. It gives fans a real stake in the drama and makes the online conversation even zestier. At the bar, everyone had their favorites. Before the winner was revealed, Kocachkov said she adored Amaya Espinal and believed she deserved the victory. 'But in my heart,' she said, 'I love Nic [Vansteenberghe] and Olandria [Carthen].' Meanwhile, 24-year-old Esther Martinez, who works as a senior analyst for a makeup company, said she was rooting for Jose 'Pepe' Garcia-Gonzalez and Iris Kendall — 'mostly because I think Pepe is extremely hot.' That said, Martinez added, 'I know that Amaya's gonna win. I feel like so many people love her that there's no way she doesn't. And honestly, I'm happy for her. She's from Brooklyn. She's Dominican, as am I, so good for you, girl. Even though I didn't vote for her, I'm so happy for her.' Even without having watched one episode, I could tell from the emotion in the bar that Espinal and her beau, Bryan Arenales, were going to win. The crowd might have cheered for every good make out session and confession of love that we witnessed during the two-hour finale, but whenever Espinal came onscreen, it felt like their hearts were really in it. VanDunk offered a simple explanation as to why: 'She's the people's princess.' According to VanDunk, Espinal 'captured our hearts and minds by just being her authentic self. Honestly, it seemed like everybody else had some sort of agenda or they were putting on a personality. But [with Espinal], you could tell the authenticity was just dripping through the TV.' The word 'authenticity' might court eye rolls from many longtime fans and makers of reality television, but, as is the case with most of these shows in the end, it does feel central to the show's appeal. Based on the joyful eruption I witnessed when Espinal and Arenales were crowned the season winners, Love Island USA brings an aspirational quality that goes beyond beachside romance and poreless skin. Apparently, this show is also a functioning democracy (for this season, at least). When you're sitting in a room full of fans who erupt each time a couple locks lips, the reason for this show's appeal feels far more obvious than all that. All night, I found myself completely engrossed by the hot people onscreen, the absolute fervor of the crowd and the drama I only half understood. I gasped when, on a candle-lit dream date in the water, Huda Mustafa ended things with Chris Seeley by saying they should just be friends — an outcome I soon learned was actually very predictable to those who'd been watching their relationship sputter. I choked on my french fry when Mustafa asked Seeley to carry her over the water despite the break-up and he replied, 'I'm not going to carry you,' a moment that had the room screaming. And when Amaya 'Papaya' took home the big prize, I felt victorious despite having little idea why. Funnily enough, when asked why this season seems to have pierced the mainstream, Kocachkov and Martinez agreed that it's not the best this show has to offer. In fact, Season 6 set the bar impossibly high last year. 'It doesn't matter if this season is genuinely good or not,' Martinez said. 'People were gonna be upset, period, because last season was pure frickin' gold.' Kocachkov was less charitable about this season's offerings. 'Objectively,' she said, this 'was one of their worst seasons.' So, why stick around — especially considering the massive time commitment of six episodes per week? For those who love the show, it's not an obligation at all. As Martinez put it, 'It's something to look forward to.' At the start of Season 7, Kocachkov had told her friends she wouldn't tune in. 'But [around] Episode 2, I was like, 'Fine, I'll watch it.' I really enjoyed being a part of the discourse, and honestly, it brought me closer to people I haven't talked to in a while. We would just be texting each other every night.' When asked what sets this fandom apart, Kocachkov described it as 'chronically online.' If there's one thing the Love Island fandom knows how to do, it's produce a flurry of memes each week that make outsiders want to tune in. Emotions tend to run high in the villa, and confessional interviews often make for great reactions worth sharing online. Whether fans are sharing videos of Huda crying or Photoshopping their own "dream date" meme, the bright colors and shiny skin of the subjects always let us know exactly which show the images came from before it's even referenced. And as we saw this season with Amaya standing up for herself as a "sensitive gangster," after the men in the house accused her of being too emotional, the social media chatter can sometimes morph into full-blown discourse. In other words, the reason for Love Island's seemingly sudden breakout is a tale as old as television. It's the same reason people crowd into a sports bar to watch the big game. The same reason millions and millions of us got hooked on American Idol. The same reason people pile into The Comedy Shop and other bars just like it for other watch parties, like House of the Dragon. The show becomes an excuse for connection — with the cultural 'discourse,' with coworkers and even with old friends who might've slipped through the cracks over the years. As the entire room screamed for the couples to 'jump in the pool! Jump in the pool!' at the end of the episode, I got the message loud and clear.
Time Out
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
These NYC bars are hosting 'Love Island USA' watch parties ahead of the big finale
If you've been emotionally invested in every dramatic dumping and head-turning Casa Amor twist this season, you're not alone. Love Island USA is barreling toward its explosive season 7 finale on Sunday, July 13, and New York City's bar scene is going full villa mode to celebrate. From Manhattan to Brooklyn and Queens, venues are throwing themed watch parties all weekend long, giving fans a chance to sip, scream and speculate in real time. Over in Manhattan, City Winery is going all in on Thursday night with a ticketed event hosted by none other than BradXBrad, bestie of Love Island host Ariana Madix. Think cozy theater vibes, themed cocktails and live audience reactions at whatever delightfully nonsensical thing Amaya Papaya says next. Just a few blocks away, The Comedy Shop is making it a full-on week of love, with nightly watch parties followed by comedy shows, giving you a place to laugh through your heartbreak if your favorite couple doesn't win the big bucks. If you're craving something more upscale for Sunday's grand finale, Fushimi Times Square is hosting a full-blown fundraiser watch party featuring a sushi buffet, complimentary champagne, speed dating, giveaways and even a photo booth. Proceeds go to youth leadership programs, so your screaming at the screen can be for a good cause. For a more casual drop-in, spots like The Black Sheep and The Ainsworth Midtown are airing episodes most nights leading up to the finale, with no tickets required. Over at The Ritz Bar & Lounge, happy hour runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. with BOGO Love Island –themed cocktails and $12 caipirinhas, plus back-to-back episodes starting at 7 p.m. And for those who want to pair their viewing party with a cheeky spritz and a kale Caesar, Twenty Three Grand is offering a 'Girl Dinner' combo available only during screenings. (Definitely better than those bogus avocado toasts the boys have been making all season.) Brooklyn isn't sitting this one out either. The Yard at 3 Dollar Bill will host a Sunday finale bash hosted by iconic drag queens Vampy Von and Thickums, complete with performances by Nicky O and Bertha Vanayshun. Meanwhile, Mugs Ale House will keep things low-key with back-room screenings. And in Queens, Cobblestones Pub & Biergarten is pulling fans in with a 180-inch TV wall and $7 frozen drinks, while The Rabbit Hole ups the fun with themed cocktails, popcorn and even Love Island trivia next week. Whether you're rooting for Nic and Olandria's billionth recoupling or raging over Huda and Chris's toxic situation, there's no better way to close out the season than watching with your fellow fanatics—and maybe a frozen marg in hand.
Time Out
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
These NYC bars are hosting 'Love Island USA' watch parties for the big finale this weekend
If you've been emotionally invested in every dramatic dumping and head-turning Casa Amor twist this season, you're not alone. Love Island USA is barreling toward its explosive season 7 finale on Sunday, July 13, and New York City's bar scene is going full villa mode to celebrate. From Manhattan to Brooklyn and Queens, venues are throwing themed watch parties all weekend long, giving fans a chance to sip, scream and speculate in real time. Over in Manhattan, City Winery is going all in on Thursday night with a ticketed event hosted by none other than BradXBrad, bestie of Love Island host Ariana Madix. Think cozy theater vibes, themed cocktails and live audience reactions at whatever delightfully nonsensical thing Amaya Papaya says next. Just a few blocks away, The Comedy Shop is making it a full-on week of love, with nightly watch parties followed by comedy shows, giving you a place to laugh through your heartbreak if your favorite couple doesn't win the big bucks. If you're craving something more upscale for Sunday's grand finale, Fushimi Times Square is hosting a full-blown fundraiser watch party featuring a sushi buffet, complimentary champagne, speed dating, giveaways and even a photo booth. Proceeds go to youth leadership programs, so your screaming at the screen can be for a good cause. For a more casual drop-in, spots like The Black Sheep and The Ainsworth Midtown are airing episodes most nights leading up to the finale, with no tickets required. Over at The Ritz Bar & Lounge, happy hour runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. with BOGO Love Island –themed cocktails and $12 caipirinhas, plus back-to-back episodes starting at 7 p.m. And for those who want to pair their viewing party with a cheeky spritz and a kale Caesar, Twenty Three Grand is offering a 'Girl Dinner' combo available only during screenings. (Definitely better than those bogus avocado toasts the boys have been making all season.) Brooklyn isn't sitting this one out either. The Yard at 3 Dollar Bill will host a Sunday finale bash hosted by iconic drag queens Vampy Von and Thickums, complete with performances by Nicky O and Bertha Vanayshun. Meanwhile, Mugs Ale House will keep things low-key with back-room screenings. And in Queens, Cobblestones Pub & Biergarten is pulling fans in with a 180-inch TV wall and $7 frozen drinks, while The Rabbit Hole ups the fun with themed cocktails, popcorn and even Love Island trivia next week. Whether you're rooting for Nic and Olandria's billionth recoupling or raging over Huda and Chris's toxic situation, there's no better way to close out the season than watching with your fellow fanatics—and maybe a frozen marg in hand.
New York Post
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Love Island watch parties take over NYC nightlife
This summer, the real villa isn't in Fiji — it's in a Brooklyn brownstone, a Midtown sports bar and a West Village comedy club. Love Island USA, which premiered its new season June 11 on Peacock, has officially taken over New York City nightlife. Fans across the boroughs are ditching the couch for themed cocktails, sliders and full-blown screaming matches at watch parties from Manhattan to Brooklyn. The hit reality show features a rotating cast of sexy singles in a luxury villa, where they must 'couple up' or risk getting dumped — not just by each other, but by the American public. Advertisement 7 This season of Love Island USA is fueling a new kind of nightlife — with viewers in Brooklyn, Midtown and beyond planning their weeks around villa chaos, recouplings and every new episode. Ben Symons/PEACOCK Viewers vote in real time to split couples, send in new 'bombshells' and ultimately crown the winning pair, turning the show into a chaotic dating Olympics with six episodes a week and near-constant drama. Now in its seventh season, the series has become a cultural obsession among Gen Z, thanks to its meme-worthy moments, messy recouplings and signature catchphrases like 'I've got a text!' Advertisement In Greenwich Village, The Comedy Shop is running Love Island episodes almost every night of the week, with Sunday turning into an all-day binge. The bar starts replaying the season at 11 a.m. and ends with the latest episode at 9 p.m. on the venue's five flatscreens. 7 Fans scream, cheer and take shots along with every dramatic moment during Love Island screenings at The Comedy Shop — turning the West Village comedy bar into a villa-style watch party six nights a week. Leonardo Munoz 'It's the girls' version of sports,' Comedy Shop TikTok manager and bartender Ana Reyes said. 'Everyone comes together and can all catch up on the episodes.' The event went viral after The Comedy Shop posted a TikTok that drew more than 200,000 views. Reyes, 25, was inspired by a viral post of someone wishing Love Island would play at NYC bars. So she made it happen. Advertisement The show has been a hit for its business, especially midweek, with more than a hundred fans turning out for Tuesday's episode alone. 7 The Thursday crowd at The Comedy Shop breaks into claps and spontaneous drumrolls during big reveals — including the show's classic 'I've got a text!' alerts. Leonardo Munoz Guests have started making reservations days in advance. One woman even booked a table for her husband's birthday — because all he wanted was to spend it watching Love Island at their bar, Reyes said. Another group of friends plans to fly in from Florida, she added. When The Post visited the Comedy Shop Thursday night, cheers erupted after every 'I've got a text' — a signature line from the show used to announce major twists or challenges — with spontaneous drum rolls, screams and heated debates echoing across the room. Advertisement Friends, solo viewers, siblings and couples packed the tables, many saying they had found the event through TikTok or Instagram. 7 The Comedy Shop's cheeky themed menu includes 'The Bombshell' margarita tower, a beer-and-shot combo called 'The Recoupling' and even a couples platter titled 'Can I Pull You For a Chat?' — all nods to the show's iconic lingo. The Comedy Shop/ Instagram 'We saw this place on TikTok and it was close to where I lived, so we had to come. The stars aligned,' Bansri Shah, 27, who came with her younger sister Amrita, told The Post. The bar's cheeky themed menu includes a $30 margarita tower — dubbed 'The Bombshell' — along with a $12 beer-and-shot deal called 'The Recoupling' and a couples platter titled 'Can I Pull You For a Chat?' — all named after Love Island lingo. At Black Sheep bar in Midtown East, bartender Casey Rosen kicked off her own version of a watch party last week after realizing she'd be stuck working during the premiere. 7 Sunday marathons at The Comedy Shop run all day starting at 11 a.m., ending with the latest Love Island episode on five flatscreens and a crowd that knows every contestant's name. Leonardo Munoz 'I posted on Reddit five hours before the show and 12 girls still came,' Rosen, 27, told The Post. 'Some even came alone. We ended up chatting, people made friends … It was honestly a great time.' The Friday screenings at Black Sheep now feature Love Island on multiple TVs with sound, $8 wine specials and a fruity new 'Bombshell Martini.' Advertisement But the rowdiest watch parties might be in Brooklyn, where 23-year-old nanny and content creator Kaleah Denise began cramming nearly a hundred guests into a rented two-story brownstone last week for sliders, chicken wings, cheesecake shooters and a pole-dancing contest. 7 A Midtown bartender launched her Love Island watch party after realizing she'd be stuck at work during the show. Now she's hosting weekly screenings with themed drinks and strangers bonding over the show's never-ending drama. Ben Symons/Peacock 'A lot of my friends don't even watch the show, so I realized some people want to talk about it but don't have anyone to talk to,' Denise said. 'So I decided to find my people and be with my people.' She held her first Love Island party June 13 and has since made it a weekly event, with the next one planned for Sunday. The parties typically run from around 8 to 11:30 p.m. and sell out within hours on the events web site Posh VIP, she said. Advertisement The crowd, mostly solo women and their friends in their 20s and 30s, show up dressed in 'villa chic' for the $20 event, while Kaleah supplies more than 20 bottles of wine and champagne which Denise said is just enough to 'socialize, not get sloppy.' 7 Fans across New York are throwing their own villa-style watch parties, bringing viewers together and a taste of Fiji to the five boroughs. Leonardo Munoz 'We're basically bringing Fiji to New York City,' Denise said.
