The Season 7 finale of “Love Island USA” made history as Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales were crowned the winning couple, becoming the first Latino duo to take home the $100,000 grand prize. The celebration across social media was instant, heartfelt, and full of cultural pride, as fans cheered for a couple whose journey represented authenticity and a long-overdue milestone in mainstream reality television.
Meet the Winners
Amaya, a 25-year-old Dominican-American cardiac nurse from New York City, entered the villa in episode four as a bombshell and immediately captured the hearts of both viewers and fellow Islanders. Her mix of emotional vulnerability, sharp wit, and unwavering confidence earned her the affectionate nickname “Amaya Papaya” from fans. From the moment she arrived, Amaya was unapologetically herself, challenging the status quo while still staying grounded in her purpose: finding a genuine connection.
Bryan, a 27-year-old Boston native of Puerto Rican and Guatemalan descent, entered the show later during the infamous Casa Amor twist. While Casa Amor arrivals often struggle to build lasting connections, Bryan flipped the script. He and Amaya formed an almost instant bond, rooted in shared values, cultural understanding, and a respectful ease that stood out from the usual villa chaos. Bryan’s calm demeanor and emotional intelligence made him a standout contestant, and notably, he became the first Casa Amor contestant to ever win the U.S. version of the show.
As their time in the villa neared its end, Amaya and Bryan made things official, committing to each other during their final romantic date. Viewers swooned as the couple opened up about their deepening feelings, capping off their journey with emotional sincerity that resonated across the fandom. And in the classic “Love Island” finale twist, when Bryan drew the envelope containing the $100,000 prize, he didn’t hesitate. He chose to split the money evenly with Amaya, sealing their victory with integrity.
Nicolandria: America’s Runners Up
Finishing as the runners-up were Nic Vansteenberghe and Olandria Carthen, affectionately dubbed #Nicolandria by fans. Nic, 24, from Jacksonville, Florida, and Olandria, 27, from Decatur, Alabama, brought a quieter, more introspective energy to the villa.
Their connection wasn’t built on dramatic declarations or over-the-top gestures. Instead, their bond unfolded slowly, grounded in mutual respect and an organic friendship that blossomed into romance. While some fans questioned the depth of their romantic chemistry, others saw their approach as a refreshing departure from the usual performative pairings. Their second-place finish proved that real love comes in many forms, and their journey was one of the most emotionally steady of the season.
A Win for the Culture
Amaya and Bryan’s win is not only a love story but a cultural moment. In a reality TV space that often lacks nuanced representation, their triumph is a breakthrough for Latino visibility. Their backgrounds were not an afterthought, but an integral part of who they are and how they connected. They brought not just romance, but conversations about culture, family, and identity into the mainstream. Because of that, viewers showed up in droves to vote them into the winners’ circle.
Not everyone, however, was sold on the strength of the relationship. While Amaya was widely praised for carrying much of the emotional weight of the pairing, critics on social media were quick to call out Bryan for what some saw as a lack of overt romantic gestures. Comments like, “Amaya deserves. Bryan so lucky he got to tag along,” and “Bryan has not done one romantic thing for Amaya but give her some kisses,” echoed across Reddit and TikTok. Still, even skeptics acknowledged that their connection felt more grounded than most and that their win represented something bigger than just villa flirtation.
With their prize money split evenly, fans are now eager to see what’s next for the duo. A “Love Island USA” reunion special is already scheduled to air on Peacock on August 25, and rumors are swirling that Amaya and Bryan may appear on the upcoming season of “Love Island Games.” While nothing is confirmed, the buzz is strong, and their supporters are more than ready to follow their love story beyond the villa.