As Love Island USA Season 7 races toward its finale, Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales have emerged as frontrunners to claim the $100,000 prize, captivating audiences with their chemistry in the Fiji villa.
Known as “Brymaya” to fans, the couple’s journey has sparked widespread support, but not without controversy.
Discussions on social media reveal a divide among viewers, with some questioning whether production favouritism or sympathy for Amaya has propelled the couple to the top, overshadowing other deserving pairs.
Despite the criticism, fan sentiment and leaks point to Amaya and Bryan as likely winners, though potential backlash looms post-victory. Amaya, a 25-year-old cardiac nurse from New York City, entered the villa as a bombshell in Episode 4, quickly earning the nickname “Amaya Papaya” for her vibrant personality.
Her authenticity and emotional openness have made her a fan favourite, with 2.1 million Instagram followers and 2.4 million on TikTok. Bryan, a 28-year-old from Boston who joined during Casa Amor, won hearts by defending Amaya during the “Stand on Business” challenge, where she faced criticism for being “too emotional”.
Their connection deepened with a passionate kiss in the speakeasy and a memorable night in the hideaway, where they reportedly consummated their relationship, using the villa’s code word “journey” to describe the experience.
However, not all viewers are convinced of Brymaya’s dominance. Fans speculate about Bryan’s intentions, with some claiming he pursued Amaya only after learning she was a fan favourite.
“Bryan does not like Amaya. He saw the opportunity and took it,” one user wrote, alleging strategic motives. Others argue that production editing has favoured Amaya, amplifying her emotional moments to garner sympathy rather than showcasing the strength of her relationship.
“The show is so fake,” another fan claimed, pointing to a green screen reaction video as evidence of manipulation.
Competing couples, including Iris Kendall and Pepe García, Huda Mustafa and Chris Seeley, and Olandria Carthen and Nic Vansteenberghe, also have strong fan bases.
Some viewers believe Ace Greene and Chelley Bissainthe, who were dumped just before the finale, deserved a shot at the title due to their consistent connection.
“Ace and Chelley put in the work,” one fan told Us Weekly, highlighting their longevity in the villa. Critics argue that Amaya’s popularity may stem more from her relatability than the depth of her bond with Bryan, who was previously coupled with Andreina Santos.
The controversy surrounding Amaya intensified after Cierra Ortega’s exit due to resurfaced controversial posts, which some speculate shifted focus to Amaya as a “safe” fan favourite.
Us Weekly reported that Zak Srakaew, Amaya’s former partner, questioned Bryan’s sudden interest, stating, “He not once mentioned he wanted to couple up with her.”
This has fuelled speculation that Bryan’s pursuit was calculated, a sentiment echoed by Andreina, who expressed hope that Bryan treats Amaya better than he treated her.
As the Love Island USA Season 7 finale airs tonight on Peacock, fans are bracing for a heated outcome.
Will Amaya and Bryan’s chemistry triumph, or will accusations of production bias and strategic gameplay overshadow their victory?
The discourse reflects broader concerns about the show’s editing practices and the authenticity of contestant relationships, with viewers divided over whether Brymaya’s love story is genuine or a product of clever production.
