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Love Island USA’s Amaya “Papaya” Espinal says her heart is full in a new season of her life.
“I am in love. I’m very in love with my boyfriend,” Espinal, 26, exclusively shared with Us Weekly at the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Red Dress Collection Concert on Thursday, January 29. “He actually came here to support me. He’ll be in the audience, and I think that’s another reason why I’m more nervous. But everything’s going great, and I’m really happy.”
While Espinal is trying to keep her boyfriend away from the spotlight for the time being, her love life is expected to be explored on season 2 of Love Island: Beyond the Villa.
The show reunites much of the cast from Love Island USA season 7 to see what life is like after leaving the villa.
“It’s been a ride — a fun one — and it’s really good to be with all of the cast again,” Espinal teased to Us from The Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. “I honestly feel like they’re my second family, especially since we have such a universal experience. It was really nice, and I can’t wait for the audience to see how things go down.”
When the cast was first announced in November 2025, fans were intrigued to see both Espinal and her ex, Bryan Arenales, agreeing to be part of the show.
While walking the red carpet in a red Atelier Ndigo dress, Espinal hinted that she’s not in the best place with her former flame.
“There’s none,” she said when asked to describe her relationship with Arenales. “And I don’t even know that name.”
Amaya ‘Papaya’ Espinal Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Although the pair won season 7 of Love Island USA, Espinal confirmed in August 2025 that she was single.
“After leaving the villa, it became very clear that we were on two different journeys,” she said in a social media statement at the time. “Our visions didn’t align and relationships are supposed to be a team sport. You don’t have to drink the whole sea to know it’s salty.”
One couple formed from Love Island USA season 7 is Iris Kendall and TJ Palma. Espinal teased that fans will be able to watch the couple go from friends to something more when Love Island: Beyond the Villa premieres later this year.
“To be honest, it was love at first sight when they first met,” she teased. “Just seeing their journey is a testimony to what’s meant to be is meant to be. And when two people are really meant for each other, they’re going to find their way back to each other.”
They got a text — and found love in the Love Island USA villa. The beloved British dating show made its way across the pond in 2019, following a crop of American bombshells searching for The One in a luxury tropical villa. In season 1, eventual winners Elizabeth Weber and Zac Mirabelli had a connection […]
Espinal added, “I was part of the surprise that TJ planned to make Iris his girlfriend. It was beautiful, and that’s also going to be on Beyond the Villa.”
Before fans catch up with the Love Island USA cast, Espinal hopes to raise awareness about heart disease by participating in the American Heart Association’s annual event.
“I’m a cardiac registered nurse so being here is a full circle life moment for me,” Espinal revealed via Instagram on Saturday, January 31. “I’m Afro Latina and I know in the Latin community, high blood pressure is common. This is something that touches me back home, especially for my grandmother. I take care of my own health by jogging and also keeping my stress levels low, so mental peace.”
