LOS ANGELES (AP) - The seventh season of "Love Island USA" is poised to crown its winning couple during the finale on Sunday evening, August 20, 2023, culminating a tumultuous summer filled with dramatic breakups and surprising exits. The finale is scheduled to air on Peacock at 6 p.m. Pacific/9 p.m. Eastern, following the show's successful run since its premiere on June 3, 2023. The reality series, which brings together young singles at a remote villa in Fiji, focuses on exploring connections among contestants with the ultimate aim of finding love.
As an American spinoff of the UK series, "Love Island USA" has markedly shaken up reality television, becoming Peacock's most-watched entertainment series on mobile devices. This season has followed a breakout success from the previous summer, which captured considerable mainstream attention. In addition, a new series spinoff titled "Love Island: Beyond the Villa" is set to premiere on the same day, featuring Season 6's main cast as they navigate relationships and newfound social media fame in Los Angeles.
This season has not been without controversy. Two contestants, Cierra Ortega and Yulissa Escobar, exited the villa after old social media posts surfaced, containing racial slurs. Ortega, notably part of one of the season's strongest couples, left just a week before the finale due to these resurfaced posts, which included a slur against Asian individuals. She later issued an apology through a nearly five-minute TikTok video. Recent episodes have also seen the elimination of Ace Greene and Chelley Bissainthe, paving the way for the finale, where the remaining couples will compete for a grand prize of $100,000.
"Love Island USA" begins with ten contestants—five men and five women—who are stripped of their phones and connection to the outside world. They couple up based on initial attraction and are continuously tested as new contestants, known as "bombshells," are introduced to shake up existing dynamics. Contestants engage in various challenges, including kissing competitions and heart rate challenges, leading to viral moments that resonate with the audience. The season prominently featured the 'Casa Amor' twist, where established couples were separated and had the chance to explore new relationships with fresh singles.
Heading into the finale, the remaining couples consist of:
Amaya and Bryan
Amaya Espinal, 25, made significant waves during the season, known for her humorous and engaging persona. Initially, she expressed attractions to other contestants but eventually formed a connection with Bryan Arenales, 28, during Casa Amor. Arenales, of Puerto Rican and Guatemalan descent, defended Espinal's playful expressions of affection, emphasizing their cultural similarities.
Huda and Chris
Huda Mustafa, 24, and Chris Seeley, 27, initially explored different relationships but ultimately connected in Casa Amor. Mustafa, who stands out as the first mother in the series, developed a tumultuous relationship with her previous partner, Jeremiah Brown. However, after Brown's elimination, she found support and understanding in Seeley, sharing personal challenges from their respective lives.
Iris and Pepe
Iris Kendall, 25, and Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez, 27, joined the show later as bombshells and initially formed connections with other contestants. However, after unexpected dumps rearranged the villa dynamics, they eventually came together in a romantic relationship. Both expressed comfort and friendship as the foundation for their budding romance.
Olandria and Nic
Olandria Carthen, 27, and Nic Vansteenberghe, 24, had an unconventional journey through the season, initially expressing interest in each other but exploring other connections. Even after a series of complicated recouplings, they found their way back to each other, driven by an acknowledgment of their shared experiences and emotional journey throughout the season.
With high stakes and a significant cash prize on the line, the finale promises to be a culmination of emotional highs and lows, showcasing the connections forged in the villa over the summer. The outcome remains a point of intrigue for fans eagerly awaiting to see which couple will take home the prize and how their relationships will evolve beyond the show.
