Amaya and Bryan Return to the U.S. and Open Up About Life After ‘Love Island USA’
They might have found love on national TV, but now Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales are making headlines for something even more heartwarming. The latest Love Island USA winners touched back down in the States after filming wrapped in Fiji, and from the jump, fans can tell their love is the real deal.
The couple —— Amaya, 25, repping New York, and Bryan, 28, holding it down from Massachusetts—made their big media debut on the Today show where they got candid about their new life post-villa, the support they’ve received, and how they plan to use their $100K prize.
“We both want to invest it, but we also want to put it to charity,” Bryan shared during the interview. “I know she wants to do a Thanksgiving drive, and I definitely want to donate some to mental health awareness. That’s something that’s extremely important to me. I struggled with it as a kid growing up, so I just want to help kids face their emotions and know how to deal with them.”
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amaya and bryan on the today show#LoveIslandUSA pic.twitter.com/kxgI3C2hk0
— draco☆⁹⁶ (@KlLLERKLOWNS) July 15, 2025
Their Message to the Fans: Gratitude and Purpose
This year’s Love Island USA couple didn’t just win a cash prize—they walked away with deep admiration from fans, especially across Black and Latinx communities who saw pieces of themselves in Amaya and Bryan’s journey. Their energy has been described as “authentic,” “refreshing,” and “real AF.”
“It’s amazing, the support and the love that we have,” Amaya said. Bryan followed up with, “We have each other (and) support each other. That’s the most important thing… Super grateful just hearing that.”
Since the finale aired, social media has been flooded with comments praising the couple’s character and emotional maturity—especially Bryan’s open discussion on mental health. One user wrote, “Black and brown love like this? We needed this win.”
And the love isn’t slowing down. Their IG followers have quadrupled, major brands are already circling for potential sponsorships, and yes… wedding rumors are swirling. But for now, Amaya and Bryan are focused on giving back to their communities.
Here’s What You Should Know About “Love Island USA”
For those who need a quick refresher—Love Island USA is the American spin-off of the wildly popular UK dating series. It brings a group of singles to a tropical paradise where they must couple up to avoid elimination. The last couple standing wins the ultimate prize: $100K and a shot at real love (well, usually).
What makes the show special is the mix of drama, challenges, late-night hookups, and plot twists—with viewers voting from home to decide who stays and who goes.
This season was a standout not just because of the drama, but because of the genuine bond between Amaya and Bryan. With just a few days, they kept it real—no love triangles, no games, just vibes and communication. And clearly, that resonated.
Why Bryan’s Mental Health Mission Is Bigger Than TV
While it’s not uncommon for Love Island winners to spend their prize money on designer drip, luxury travel, or influencer lifestyles, Bryan’s commitment to mental health advocacy hit different.
“I struggled with it as a kid,” he said honestly. “So I just want to help kids face their emotions and know how to deal with them.”
While we’re not going to be seeing the two back on our Love Island screens until the reunion, we’re sure the have a lot in store thanks to their new found fame.