“Love Island USA” Season 7 winners Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales walked away as a new couple with $50,000 each, but it was a long and twisty road to get there.
The show started as a challenging journey for Espinal, whose connections with Ace Greene, Austin Shepard and Zak Srakaew quickly fizzled before she sparked with Arenales. Throughout the season, she captured the hearts of fans nationwide with her irresistible personality and empowering one-liners. Arenales became an instant fan favorite when he spoke up to defend Espinal during the heated Stand On Business challenge, where Arenales’ personality was openly criticized by other male cast members.
The winning couple spoke with Variety about their relationship, their individual journeys throughout the villa and who they plan to address at the reunion.
You both made Love Island USA history as the first Latino couple and pair of bombshells to win the show. What does breaking that barrier mean to you both?
Amaya Espinal: It’s a huge statement. I’m glad that we were able to represent our Latino community and also show the audience that our connection is real and powerful, and that the Casa Amor or bombshell narrative doesn’t mean anything.
Bryan Arenales: We set this new standard because people look down upon Casa or bombshells. Now, you can’t look down on it. It’s a matter of being yourself and making the right connections, rather than trying to play the game.
You’ve become known for your iconic quotes. How does it feel knowing your words have resonated with so many people?
Amaya: It’s such a powerful feeling. They’re telling me I’m speaking metaphors. I learned that in fifth grade, but I forgot what it meant. So then I searched it up on Google, and I’m like, “Oh shit, I do.” It’s just me speaking from the bottom of my heart with so much passion. I find it beautiful that it resonates with a lot of people.
What’s your favorite quote that you’ve said?
Amaya: I’m a sensitive gangster.
You both mentioned donating a portion of the money. What are your other plans for how you’ll spend the money?
Amaya: We want to invest and make sure our future is set up for our future family and kids. A vacation is needed.
What destination do you have in mind?
Bryan: We haven’t been to Turks and Caicos yet, so there for sure.
Your final date was a fan favorite. Why did you feel that was the right moment to ask Amaya to be exclusive?
Bryan: It was set up so perfectly. Honestly, we took all the right steps. It just felt right, and I knew it was the end. I wanted to let her know and see where her priorities were with us and continue taking the steps to make everything work.
What does building this connection look like now that you’re outside of the villa?
Amaya: Prioritizing quality time. I want to meet other members of his family, especially his mommy. He needs to meet my siblings. Small things that are very impactful and sentimental to both of us, like going on dates or having movie nights in each other’s houses. We want to enjoy each other’s company now that cameras and mics are off.
You remained true to yourself even when connections with Ace, Austin and Zak didn’t work out. Did you ever feel like your person wasn’t in the villa?
Amaya: At one point, yes. After a certain amount of time, you’re able to figure out whether this person is more platonic or romantic. If one door wasn’t opening, I was like, “OK, close. Next.” But at a certain point, I was like, “Damn, who else is in here that I could build that connection with?” Then I met Bryan in Casa Amor and was already physically attracted to him. We’d never flirted at that time. We always had conversations. After he stood up for me, I was like, “Wait, hold on. My heart is not the only one with a heartbeat right now.”
Was there ever a point you considered leaving the show?
Amaya: No, because I remained hopeful. One thing that someone should never lose sight of is always having hope and faith. Regardless of whether a certain connection wasn’t working out for me, I remained faithful.
It was great to see you and Ace resolve things after having a rocky start, but viewers didn’t get a chance to see that moment where you talked it out. What did the conversation look like behind the scenes?
Amaya: He was sitting across from me at one of the tables. We both looked at each other and were like, “All right, I think it’s time to call a truce.” Clearly, things had not worked out, and we’re better off as friends, especially since I have such a great friendship with Chelley. I didn’t want things to be awkward or for there to be negativity. We shook hands. I was like, “Yo, truce? No beef, just chicken.” Then we hugged it out. We started becoming the best of friends after that.
Did that conversation happen before the Heart Rate Challenge?
Amaya: It happened before that. But when he was like, “What’s up, babe,” to me at that challenge, my mouth was on the floor. I was gagged.
After Casa Amor, you told the guys you found Amaya attractive. What prevented you from pulling Amaya for a chat early on?
Bryan: I always found her super attractive and my type. But we started as friends and went our separate ways. She talked to a couple of different people. At the time, I was with Andreina and just exploring that. We just ended up having that one conversation on the chairs, and that changed everything.
What made you come to Amaya’s defense during the “Stand On Business” challenge?
Bryan: It was just a natural reaction. I felt like people were dimming her light. As everybody knows, she has a very bright light, and I don’t think anybody should dim that. It’s our culture, and people weren’t understanding it. They were telling her they needed to meet her halfway. And it felt like they weren’t meeting her halfway. With our culture, that’s just how we talk.
Did it bother you that none of the girls spoke up for you during that challenge?
Amaya: During the whole time, I blacked out. It was hard for me to focus on what everybody else was saying. When I did walk away, Huda and Cierra did make it a priority to come and console me. Even though they didn’t speak up for me during that time, they were there to help me calm down. I don’t view it as them not speaking up for me because they did that.
When Zak tried to circle back after America ranked you the highest in the “Hate To Burst Your Bubble Challenge,” did you feel that he was being genuine?
Amaya: I don’t have the best eyesight in general, but when I tell you I had 20/20 vision. I saw right through that bullshit. I was trying to keep it cute and classy. I’m not going to be nasty towards anybody. So, if you want to talk, we can have a quick conversation, but know I’m clocking you. I didn’t feel that it was genuine at all. He was just in it for the game.
You and Huda appear to be close friends. Were you surprised by her reaction when you kissed Jeremiah during the baseball challenge?
Amaya: I’m not surprised because she’s just a very passionate girl who cares deeply about people that she’s in a romantic relationship with, but also goes for her platonic friendships. I know she doesn’t play about me. Looking back, that was her strong connection at the time, and they were very focused on each other, so I understand where she’s coming from.
We have the reunion coming up. Is there any situation or person that you’re looking forward to addressing at the reunion?
Bryan: Zak. We’ll be talking.
Amaya: I would like to address Austin.
What do you want to address specifically?
Amaya: We never had that clear communication before he was eliminated, and I want to discuss the Stand On Business challenge. “Why wasn’t he able to speak to me prior to that?” I felt blindsided, especially now, seeing certain clips of the facial reactions he would give me and comments he would make to the guys about me that he never once said to me.
Bryan: With Zak, it’s very known I disagree with the shit he’s saying.
What message do you hope that your journey sends to other women out there who have had similar experiences where people have tried to dim their light?
Amaya: Always stay true to yourself. Be yourself no matter what, because the right man, bond or whoever is going to find you. If they’re not your cup of tea, don’t drink it. If your light’s too bright, wear some sunglasses and turn the other way. You are your own best friend. Do not let anyone ever destroy that self-love, because once you have it, it becomes incredibly powerful. And you become the powerful queen that you are.