The $100,000 Heartbreak: Where Are The Love Island USA Season 7 Winners Now?
The villa doors closed on *Love Island USA* Season 7 months ago, but the drama—and the question of who found true, lasting love—is still a major topic of conversation among fans. As of today, December 21, 2025, the reality of life outside the Fiji villa has proven challenging for the couples who walked away with a share of the $100,000 prize and a promise of forever. The journey of the winning couple was a whirlwind of late-entry romance, controversy, and a post-show split that sent shockwaves through the fandom. We dive into the definitive "where are they now" for the top four couples and reveal which pair has managed to defy the odds.
The season culminated with a massive public vote, crowning one couple as the ultimate winners. However, the true test of a *Love Island* relationship begins when the cameras stop rolling, the sponsored posts dry up, and the long-distance reality sets in. For the Season 7 champions, their reign was short-lived, proving that a public vote of confidence doesn't guarantee a lifetime commitment.
Meet the Finalists: Full Biography and Villa Journey
The finale of *Love Island USA* Season 7 on Peacock saw four couples standing, each hoping to win the $100,000 grand prize. The finalists represented a mix of original islanders, Casa Amor bombshells, and late-entry success stories. Here is a complete profile of the couples who made it to the final night and their initial connection.
The Winners: Amaya Espinal & Bryan Arenales
- Amaya Espinal: Age 25, from New York City, New York. Occupation: Registered Nurse & Content Creator. Amaya entered the villa early as a Bombshell on Day 4.
- Bryan Arenales: Age 28, from Boston, Massachusetts. Occupation: Realtor, Financial Accountant, and Bartender. Bryan entered the villa late as a Casa Amor Bombshell on Day 17.
- Journey: Amaya was initially coupled with other Islanders before Bryan arrived from Casa Amor. Their connection was instant and intense, quickly becoming one of the strongest pairs in the final weeks. They were crowned the winners on the finale night and became the first Latino couple to win the American series.
The Runners-Up: Olandria Carthen & Nic Vansteenberghe
- Olandria Carthen: Age 27, from Decatur, Alabama. Occupation: Model & Elevator/Escalator Specialist.
- Nic Vansteenberghe: Age 24, from Jacksonville, Florida. Occupation: Model & Registered Nurse.
- Journey: Nic and Olandria, affectionately dubbed "NicOlandria" by fans, were a fan-favorite couple. Their relationship was characterized by a steady, drama-free build-up, with Nic's sweet demeanor and Olandria's genuine nature resonating deeply with viewers. They secured second place in the final vote.
Third Place: Huda Mustafa & Chris Seeley
- Huda Mustafa: Age 24, from Raleigh, North Carolina. Occupation: Fitness Coach, Influencer, and Single Mom.
- Chris Seeley: Age 27, from Los Angeles, California (originally Fresno). Occupation: Professional Basketball Player (Casa Amor Bombshell).
- Journey: Huda and Chris were a turbulent but passionate couple. Their relationship was marked by high-stakes drama, particularly at the reunion, where they had a contentious confrontation. They managed to secure the third-place spot, despite their volatile dynamic.
Fourth Place: Iris Kendall & Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez
- Iris Kendall: Age 26, from Los Angeles, California. Occupation: Spray Tan Artist & Influencer.
- Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez: Age 27, from Los Angeles, California. Occupation: Entrepreneur & Former Professional Basketball Player.
- Journey: Iris and Pepe were a late-blooming couple who found a strong connection toward the end of the season. Pepe, a former pro athlete, and Iris, an LA influencer, seemed well-matched, but their relationship faced immediate scrutiny once they left the villa.
The $100,000 Question: Did Bryan Split the Prize?
The most anticipated moment of any *Love Island* finale is the "Steal or Split" decision. The winning couple is given two envelopes: one containing $0 and one containing the full $100,000 prize. The Islander who opens the $100,000 envelope must choose whether to "Split" the prize with their partner or "Steal" the entire amount, effectively ending the relationship.
In a moment of high tension, Bryan Arenales was the one who opened the envelope containing the $100,000. Without hesitation, Bryan chose to Split the money with Amaya Espinal, confirming his commitment to her and ensuring they both walked away with $50,000 each.
While this act proved Bryan’s intentions were genuine in the moment, the financial split did not guarantee a successful romantic future. The couple’s post-villa narrative was quickly overshadowed by controversy and rumors.
Cheating Rumors and the Shocking Post-Reunion Breakup
The relationship between Amaya and Bryan was plagued by external drama almost immediately after the finale aired. The biggest challenge they faced was a torrent of cheating rumors directed at Bryan. These claims were significant enough to be addressed head-on during the highly-anticipated *Love Island USA* Season 7 reunion episode.
The couple defended their relationship during the reunion, but the pressure of the public eye and the transition to a long-distance relationship proved too much to overcome.
The definitive status of the winning couple as of December 21, 2025, is that they are no longer together. Amaya Espinal confirmed the breakup on her Instagram Story just two days after the reunion episode aired in August, stating, "Bryan and I are no longer together." This marked one of the quickest splits for a winning couple in the show’s history, dashing the hopes of the "Braya" fanbase.
Adding to the season's controversial legacy were Bryan's comments about his intimacy with Amaya, using the show's code word "journey" in a way that viewers found shocking and overly explicit. This, coupled with the cheating speculation, cemented Season 7 as one of the most talked-about, and controversial, seasons to date.
The Final Verdict: Which Love Island USA Season 7 Couples Are Still Together Today?
The track record for *Love Island* winners is notoriously poor, and Season 7 proved to be no exception. However, the true success stories often emerge from the runners-up. Here is the final, updated relationship status of the four finalist couples as of late 2025:
Amaya Espinal & Bryan Arenales (Winners): Split
Despite splitting the $100,000 prize, the couple broke up shortly after the reunion in August (of the season's year). They are both currently single and focusing on their individual careers as a Registered Nurse and Realtor, respectively.
Olandria Carthen & Nic Vansteenberghe (2nd Place): Still Together
The most successful couple from the final four is Nic and Olandria. As of the last major update in July 2025, Nic Vansteenberghe and Olandria Carthen were reported to be still together, having successfully navigated the challenges of post-villa life and distance. Their genuine connection and commitment to taking things at their own pace have made them the season's unexpected long-term success story, delighting the "NicOlandria Nation" fanbase.
Huda Mustafa & Chris Seeley (3rd Place): Split
Huda and Chris's relationship ended shortly after leaving the villa. Their split was acrimonious, leading to a tense, public argument at the reunion. Chris Seeley is focusing on his professional basketball career, while Huda Mustafa, the fitness coach and single mom, has moved on and was later linked to other reality personalities.
Iris Kendall & Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez (4th Place): Split
Iris and Pepe also did not make it work outside the villa. Their breakup was confirmed amid rumors of infidelity on Pepe’s part. Iris Kendall, the spray tan artist, has since been spotted with her ex-boyfriend, TJ Palma, fueling speculation that she has rekindled a former flame, confirming the end of her *Love Island* journey with Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez.
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