Why Amaya Espinal Is the MVP of <i>Love Island USA</i> Season 7

Spoilers below.

Season seven of Love Island USA has been rocky as feuds and halfhearted connections run amok in the villa. But there’s a bright spot, and her name is Amaya Espinal.

Endearingly known by fans as “Amaya Papaya,” the 25-year-old cardiac nurse from New York City entered the show as a bombshell in episode 4. In the subsequent weeks, she explored romances with different islanders—namely Ace Greene, Austin Shepard, and Zak Srakaew—emerging as a fan favorite for her fervor, humor, and unabashed candor.

Recently, viewers online rallied around Espinal after tensions came to a head in the July 1 episode. During a game called “Stand on Business,” Greene, Shepard, and Srakaew lambasted Espina, accusing her of being too emotional and trying to move too fast. While Greene recalled her proclivity for calling him “babe” early on, Shepard and Srakaew aired out similar grievances. “When we speak, obviously, I let you be passionate with me. I let you kiss me. I let you touch me,” Srakaew said, as if he had done her a favor. “Sometimes I feel like I have to take a step back.”

Fellow islander Bryan Arenales was the only guy who spoke up for Espinal, offering insight from a cultural standpoint. “One thing I got to add, though, coming from a Hispanic household, calling someone ‘babe,’ ‘mi amor,’ ‘mi vida,’ that’s just how we talk,” he said, defending Espinal, who’s Dominican-American. “You’re telling her meet you halfway—you got to meet her halfway, too.”

Throughout her journey, Espinal has represented the credo that being passionate, vulnerable, and outspoken is OK and, better yet, a superpower. After taking criticism from Greene, Shepard, and Srakaew in front of all the islanders, she tearfully reaffirmed her own worth, saying, “I’m just not your cup of tea to be drinking, so don’t fucking drink it.” Embodying the name of the game, she stood on business.

Her self-proclaimed “sensitive gangster” epithet has become a rallying cry for fans who see parts of themselves in her. She hasn’t had the easiest time finding love on the show, but she continues to lead with her heart and seems to have honest intentions—a refreshing foil to this season’s contrived tone. Sure, the point of Love Island is to find love, and Espinal hasn’t done that yet. But let’s be real: The selection of men is slim. And at this point, with so few couples to root for, Espinal is unknowingly making the case to grant single contestants the show’s $100,000 prize.

With her unfeigned energy, heartfelt reactions, and comical commentary, Espinal has reminded viewers that being genuine is still the most compelling thing to watch. Ahead, look back at some of her funniest and most memorable moments that won over fans.

Before things between Espinal and Greene turned sour, the two seemed to enjoy getting to know each other. In one conversation, Greene asked the bombshell if she had been exploring connections, to which she replied, “I would have to say that this is like a bags of Skittles. There’s different flavors, different backgrounds, different connections.” (For what it’s worth, according to Peacock’s subtitles, Espinal said “box of Skittles,” but fans are having more fun with the former.)

Espinal and Greene’s rift started forming after the latter expressed discomfort with pet names. Espinal defended using the word “babe,” and to no avail, tried to explain that it’s just a part of her vernacular. When she blurted out “babe” yet again, she corrected herself, quipping, “Oh, sorry…sir.”

During a recoupling, Espinal and her castmates were forced to decide which islander to dump. As several people burst into tears, Espinal cut through the sound of muffled cries, shouting, “No! No, we don’t want to do that. We don’t want to do that, though!” The moment went viral online, with one TikTok user writing, “THIS IS CINEMA.”

During an “Aftersun” segment, viewers saw a clip of Espinal singing an impromptu song that became an instant anthem. “I never said I was perfect,” she improvised. “I never said I didn’t have any flaws. But at least I’m pretty, and at least I’m a little funny. And at least I’m my own best friend.”

That wasn’t the only wholesome singing moment, either. Can we expect an Amaya Papaya album drop after the season wraps?

Despite her lack of romantic connections, Espinal has kept a positive attitude. In a confessional, she hoisted one of her feet up to the camera, declaring, “My best foot is forward, and right now, we have some gold motherfucking heels on, and gold is my lucky color, so we’re hoping for the best.”

During “Stand on Business,” Greene blasted Shepard for being dishonest with Espinal. Shepard, who denied leading her on, then had a heated exchange with Espinal. At one point, he seemed to question her intelligence. “This was a chance to air stuff out, Amaya. Do you not understand what a chance to air stuff out is? It doesn’t seem like you do,” Shepard, a pool boy, said to Espinal, a registered nurse. Fans called out Shepard online, saying his comments exemplified the types of microaggressions that women of color often experience.

Espinal stood her ground, and when Shepard insinuated that her reaction was over the top, she fired back, “You’re the one with the neck veins popping out of your neck right now.” And that was the end of that.

After reading Shepard’s harsh “Stand on Business” letter, which said she cries too much, Espinal reminded the islanders that she’s a “sensitive gangster.” Refusing to apologize for wearing her heart on her sleeve, she added, “You know, sometimes I’m not the book that someone should be reading, and that’s OK.”