LOS ANGELES, July 15 (V7N) – Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales were crowned the winners of Love Island USA Season 7 during Sunday night’s finale, securing a $100,000 prize as the show’s first Latino couple to claim the title. Their victory marks a significant milestone in the show’s history and has been widely celebrated for its cultural impact.

Espinal, of Dominican descent, and Arenales, with Puerto Rican and Guatemalan heritage, connected during the later stages of the season but quickly rose in popularity for their emotional maturity, mutual respect, and authentic bond. In the final vote, they emerged victorious over fan favorites Nic Vansteenberghe and Olandria Carthen.

The season was not without controversy. Midway through the series, contestant Cierra Ortega abruptly exited following backlash over resurfaced racist social media posts. These incidents, along with wider debates about representation and casting, led to public scrutiny of the show’s vetting process.

Espinal and Arenales' win drew praise online, not only for their love story but also for its broader representation of Latino culture in American reality television. Social media erupted with messages of support, with many users noting the symbolic importance of a Latino couple winning at a time of heightened anti-immigrant rhetoric in the U.S.

Following the announcement, Espinal expressed gratitude to viewers and dedicated her win to “those who feel unseen or misunderstood.” Arenales added that their journey was about more than romance, calling it “a story of growth and belonging.”

The couple plans to use part of their prize money to support community causes and invest in their future together. A reunion episode featuring all finalists will air on August 25.

END/ED/SMA/