No matter what happens during the Love Island Season 7 finale, Amaya Espinal is the real winner of this season.
First appearing in Season 7 Episode 4, the 25-year-old Dominican and cardiac nurse from New York City was introduced alongside Hannah as the first two bombshells to enter the villa. On the surface, she was like any other bombshell. She chose Charlie, Nic, Ace, and Jeremiah and showed off her kissing prowess through the home run challenge. And back at the villa, she won the hearts of the men, but made sure to spend time getting to know the women as well.
By the end of Episode 8, she had coupled up with Ace, had a crash out, and shared a tense exchange with Chelley. But it’s in Episode 9 that Amaya really started to come into herself despite commentary from others about how she was a bit too much. She started dropping memorable quotes like: “A rejection – it’s not a rejection. It’s more of a redirection for me.” and “My heart is not the only thing that’s beating, baby.” And she prioritized supporting the other women of the villa, whether through celebrating their wins or hyping them up when they needed a pep talk, above finding a connection.
This shift in the way that Amaya was tackling Love Island USA Season 7 made her the favorite islander for plenty of fans who were watching at home. They could see that she was friendly in a way that wasn’t calculated as if she was trying to manipulate the show to her advantage. Fans could also see how much of a good sport she was, quickly adapting to situations around her, despite how others made her feel like she was a little too loud or emotional. And the fact that she unapologetically wore her heart on her sleeve made fans feel like they were rooting for a friend and not a stranger.
By episode 26 of Love Island USA Season 7, I knew that no matter what happened during the season finale, Amaya Espinal had won. During the Stand on Business challenge, the male Islanders, minus Bryan, came for Amaya and the way that she chooses to carry herself in the villa. And Amaya did not buckle under their words, dismissal, or how they were trying to make her feel small. Amaya stood on business, 10 toes down, and told them, “I’m just not your cup of tea to be drinking, so don’t f*cking drink it.”
It wasn’t until Season 7 Episode 27 that the other Islanders understood how much US viewers saw Amaya for who she was and loved every part of her. During the Hate to Burst Your Bubble challenge, the men were asked to rank the women from most to least in three categories: who is the most trustworthy?, most genuine, and which couple would you want to go on vacation with the most? Because the men didn’t see Amaya’s greatness or understand her value, they didn’t rank her high until they saw how US viewers favored her.
For who is the most trustworthy, out of the 10 women, the men ranked Amaya eighth place. Host Ariana Madix revealed that viewers had voted Amaya number one. For the most genuine question, the men ranked Amaya number two. And again, Ariana revealed that US viewers voted Amaya number one. For the final ranking of who you would want to go on vacation with the most, the other Islanders agreed that Amaya and Zak should be number one. Ariana revealed they were right.
Episode 27 is when the other Islanders started to realize the truth of Love Island USA Season 7; Amaya was the real winner.
What followed is the single Islander men flocking to Amaya, clearly vying for her attention now that they knew how beloved she was outside of the villa. But more importantly, Amaya blossomed again, the weight of the judgment of the other male Islanders falling off of her, and leading her to an honest, passionate, and insightful relationship with Bryan that many think has fast tracked her to being the winning couple of Love Island USA Season 7.
But Amaya doesn’t need Bryan to win Love Island USA Season 7. She’s done that all on her own by going through an evolution in Season 7 that saw her taking the time to meet people where they are while also not dimming her own light and remaining the goofy, charming, determined, and approachable woman and friend she is. And whatever comes after the villa, her 2.1 million followers on Instagram and 2.4 million followers on TikTok are ready to join her on whatever journey comes next.
[BONUS] Favorite Amaya “Papaya” Espinal quotes:
- “A rejection – it’s not a rejection. It’s more of a redirection for me.”
- “My heart is not the only thing that’s beating, baby.”
- “I’m not going to have a sugar rush anymore from the word candy that you’re feeding me.”
- “God forbid I’m a sensitive gangsta.”
- “I’m just not your cup of tea to be drinking, so don’t f*cking drink it.”
Love Island USA Season 7 airs its season finale on July 13, 2025 on Peacock.
