Love Island USA capped off its six-week, 30-epsiode run on Sunday night with a two-hour finale.The Associated Press
Did you get the text? Love Island USA wrapped its seventh season on Sunday night with a two-hour finale. The finale was a drawn-out if not memorable affair, with the Islanders walking down memory lane and recalling the highs and lows of one of the most tumultuous seasons to date.
Among surprise eliminations, a Casa Amor shakeup, and contestants Yulissa Escobar and Cierra Ortega being removed from the series for their past use of racial slurs, there were too many breakups, makeups and recouplings this season to count.
But as hot as things got in Fiji, all controversial things must come to an end. And so, as Love Island USA capped off its six-week, 30-epsiode run, here are five of the biggest moments from the finale.
A surprise elimination
Not technically a finale moment, but in the penultimate episode viewers voted out original Islanders Michelle “Chelley” Bissainthe and Ace Greene. Considering their relationship was a slow burn throughout it shouldn’t have been a big surprise, but the timing was sad considering they had just made their relationship exclusive. Their coupledom received more airtime than several others as well, adding to the shock factor. Heading into the finale, their elimination made it clear that viewers were rooting for the underdog couples who had found their matches more recently.
Huda Mustafa coupled with Chris Seeley during Casa Amor and he seemed like the knight in shining armour she’d been looking for.Ben Symons/The Associated Press
A surprise breakup
Huda Mustafa had a rough first few weeks on Love Island, having coupled with Jeremiah Brown only to be love bombed and gaslit. The relationship was toxic but viewers continued rooting for Huda nonetheless, keeping the single mom in the competition. So, when she coupled with Chris Seeley during Casa Amor, he seemed like the knight in shining armour she’d been looking for.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t true, and Huda ultimately broke it off with Chris over miscommunications during their final date. In the end, Huda was forced to walk back to the villa barefoot and alone, yet she and Chris still came in third place with voting viewers.
Message in a bottle
Olandria Carthen and Nicolas “Nic” Vansteenberghe were not an original couple, but they certainly got people talking when they did get together. Some were shocked, since they had both been in solid relationships with others earlier in the season. However, many viewers were rooting for them all along, and had been silently shipping them to come together. The producers blasted that memo in the finale, when they had the couple walk the beach and find a message in a bottle. It turned out that message was actually several messages from viewers (and a couple from family members!) who knew they belonged together all along.
I got a text…
For a two-hour finale, it was surprising how little viewers saw of host Ariana Madix. Sure, the Islanders interact as little as possible with the outside world, including the host. Yet so many of the twists and eliminations from the final few episodes were delivered by text, which the Islanders then read to one another. It added to the drama, but it also made the hosting gig seem like one of the cushiest around. At least Madix will have her work cut out for her on the Aug. 25 live reunion, which she will co-host with Andy Cohen.
Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales were crowned the Season 7 winners.Ben Symons/The Canadian Press
Amaya Papaya
Remember how it seemed as though viewers were voting for the underdogs this season? That was the reality when Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales were crowned the Season 7 winners. Amaya did the full Love Island experience, coupling with several people who thought she was too much, too fast, before finding Bryan. He embraced her for who she is, “zoomies” and all. In the end, Amaya “Papaya” became a TikTok favourite, won the series, and she and her man shared the $100,000 prize.
“I feel like I’m flying in the sky right now. To feel so seen and validated, and for people to see how powerful our connection is. I would do this ride all over again if it led me to him,” Amaya said. “This is just a message to everyone out there who’s misunderstood, no one should ever be tamed, and that there’s always someone out there for you who’s going to love you for you and appreciate all of your craziness. Don’t ever settle for nobody!”
Didn’t get enough Love Island USA? Tune into the live reunion on Aug. 25.
