Love Island USA’s current massive roster of Islanders has left viewers feeling underwhelmed by the couples and potential couples, and one Islander’s consistent display of heart has proven that the series should allow single Islanders to be eligible for the grand prize. Throughout Love Island USA season 7, viewers have been getting to know a larger group of Islanders than usual.
With the Love Island USA season 7 cast expanding because of the way Casa Amor week worked, some have been curious about how the endgame of the season will work. Typically, Love Island winners are named as a couple. That couple is given $100,000 that they can split, or one half of the pair can choose to steal the money for themselves, leaving their partner with nothing.
Though there are several couples left on Love Island USA season 7, the majority of them haven’t been working out effectively, nor have they been evoking positive reactions from viewers. With vaguely boring couples like Ace Greene & Chelley Bissainthe or Nic Vansteenberghe & Cierra Ortega left standing, giving a solo Islander the win for their effort looks more appealing after every episode.
Love Island USA’s Amaya Espinal Has Struggled To Find A Connection
She’s Had A Few Different Options In The Villa
Amaya Espinal, who came into the Love Island USA villa on day 5 as a Bombshell, has been moving through the season with grace as her connections have continually fallen through. Coming into the villa, Amaya quickly coupled up with Ace, who was single after Love Island USA removed his first match, original Islander Yulissa Escobar. Amaya was excited to explore.
Amaya’s open heart and relentless positivity have been unflappable all season long.
While Ace, who some have alleged knew Chelley more than casually prior to the season, was originally open to his connection with Amaya, things quickly went sour. Ace didn’t like how Amaya approached him, feeling she was coming on too strong in moments. Closing his emotions off immediately, Ace made it clear he wasn’t interested in continuing to explore Amaya.
After her connection with Ace soured, Amaya connected with Austin Shepard and felt things with him were infinitely smoother than they’d been with Ace. While Austin seemed open from Amaya’s perspective, he was complaining about her to the rest of the Love Island USA season 7 guys behind her back. When Casa Amor hit, the pair weren’t feeling stable in their connection.
During Casa Amor, Amaya was the only Islander without a partner during the initial coupling, but she quickly bounced back when she started getting to know Zak Srakaew. Zak and Amaya seemed to have very similar sensibilities, and though they enjoyed getting to know each other, their connection fizzled out quickly. At this stage, Amaya’s future on Love Island USA is uncertain.
Amaya’s Lack Of Connection Shouldn’t Count Her Out Of The Game
She’s Given Love Island USA Her Heart & Soul
Love Island USA’s premise is all about finding love and making connections, but it rewards the most popular couple of each season rather than the Islander who’s been the most open-hearted. Watching Amaya’s journey on the show, it’s clear she’s been the most open to the emotional experience. Amaya’s open heart and relentless positivity have been unflappable all season long.
While Amaya may not be part of a couple that’s working right now, it’s clear that she’s looking for someone who wants to get to know her for who she is. Amaya’s been open to the ups and downs of Love Island USA in a way many Islanders aren’t. Her ability to remain vulnerable, even when faced with harsh criticism, has been powerful.
Love Island Should Crown Winners Based On Their Efforts, Not Their End Couple
The Prize Should Go To The Islander Or Islanders Who Have Tried
Though Love Island USA has always awarded their grand prize to a fan-voted couple, single Islanders who have given their all through the experience should be eligible to take the win. While Amaya has been open-hearted and interested in exploring connections all season, she can’t win the grand prize unless she’s found the show’s version of “love” in the end.
While rewarding those who meshed well and coupled up during the season should continue to be an option, viewers should have the chance to decide who they want to reward at the end of the intense season. If Amaya were eligible to take the win on her own for her consistent effort and wholehearted commitment, Love Island USA would be better for it.
Love Island USA airs every day at 9 p.m. EDT on Peacock, except Wednesdays.
Source: Love Island USA/Instagram