Written by Kiley Bartolozzi
A new batch of Islanders has entered the villa, marking the arrival of Love Island USA Season 7. With the first week of episodes airing from June 4 to June 8, one thing is immediately clear: production is committed to re-creating the popular cast of Season 6. In the new cast’s rush to produce memorable TV moments, viewers can sense that they are compromising authenticity for strategy.
Season 6 became known for the cast’s unanticipated connections, genuine connection, and perfect storm of chaos. Real emotional stakes were shown to viewers that included painful breakups, love triangles that didn’t feel forced, and Islanders who weren’t afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves. Yet, Season 7 appears to be following a formula — almost as if the show’s creators gave out a cheat sheet titled “How to Be a Fan-Favorite Islander.”
One Islander is sure to be remembered this season — but for all the wrong reasons. Yulissa Escobar didn’t even make it to Episode 2 before she was abruptly removed from the villa with no immediate explanation offered on-air. However fans had been speculating Yulissa’s morals as two resurfaced clips of Yulissa using racial slurs were found as the first episode aired. The event clouded the first week and sparked concerns from viewers about the cast members screening process.
But as always, the show must move on. Two bombshells — Cierra Ortega and Charlie Georgiou entered the villa and quickly stirred up the dynamic. Cierra wasted no time making her intentions clear, saying in her intro: “I don’t care whose toes I have to step on. If I can take your man, he was never your man in the first place.” And step on toes she did — specifically Belle-A’s when she stole Nic in Episode 2.
The strongest connection in the villa right now seems to be Huda Mustafa and Jeremiah Brown as they’re known as “mom and dad” to the other Islanders. Huda shocked Jeremiah when she revealed she’s a mother to a four-year-old daughter — a moment he handled with unexpected maturity. Still, fans are divided and some question whether their bond can go the distance, while others criticize Huda for joining the show while parenting a young child at home. The question remains: will Jeremiah stick around, or will reality set in?
Episode 4 brings even more chaos when two new bombshells, Amaya and Hannah, join the cast during an impromptu base-ball themed game. Amaya chooses Jeremiah for her “homerun kiss” which leaves Huda visibly upset and insecure with her connection. Meanwhile Hannah begins to hit it off with Charlie, and honestly? It’s giving #goals.
Elsewhere, Nic starts to second-guess his decision after watching Belle-A kiss another Islander, making it her first kiss in the villa. Though Cierra is all in on Nic, he clearly isn’t sure. After a conversation in “Soul Ties” (the islanders’ go-to spot for steamy makeout sessions and deep conversations) with Belle-A that ends in a kiss— he’s shown kissing Cierra in the photo booth five minutes later. That’s Love Island Math for you.
The season’s first recoupling follows, which is the biggest shock of the week. This time, the boys had the power, and drama followed. Austin Shepard made moves on Amaya which seem to be reciprocated. However Ace had his eyes locked on Amaya, despite Chelley Bissainthe’s best efforts to strengthen their relationship.
When it came time to choose, Ace paired with Amaya — leaving Chelley blindsided —- and Austin. As for Nic, after much back and forth, he ultimately picked Cierra, which sent Belle-A packing— an emotional recoupling to say the least.
Still, Belle-A left the villa with grace, saying in her final remarks to the cast, “I know my heart is the prettiest thing about me.” A classy exit from one of the season’s early standouts.
The villa was shaken by Belle-A’s departure, with the exception of Cierra who whispered “You did Good” to Nic when he chose her for recoupling. But trouble is already brewing. A teaser for the upcoming episode reveals that Cierra learns about Nic’s secret kiss with Belle-A just moments before their kiss, and we can only imagine the fallout.
As of the end of the week (June 9), the remaining couples are:
- Chelley Bissainthe & Austin Shepeard
- Huda Mustafe & Jereiamh Brown
- Amaya Espinal & Ace Greene
- Cierra Ortega & Nic Vansteenberghe
- Olandria Carthen & Taylor Williams
- Charlie Georgiou & Hannah Fields
Love Island USA Season 7 has a lot of promise, if Week 1 is any indication, but it’s still working out how to make the drama feel real, not rehearsed. Let’s hope the cast starts living in the villa, not just performing for it.
totally agree how they are trying to recreate season 6. Too many things feel forced and it’s only a few episodes in! Really hope it doesn’t stay like this if not I feel as if they will lose many viewers as it won’t feel as real like it did in previous seasons.