‘Love Island USA’ Amaya and Bryan about winning, future plans and more

“Love Island USA” season 7 winners Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales walked away like a new couple with $ 50,000 each, but it was a long and winding road to get there.

The show began as a challenging trip for Espinal, whose connections with Ace Greene, Austin Shepard and Zak Srakaew quickly brutaled before she fueled with Arenales. During the season she conquered the hearts of fans nationally with her irresistible personality and empowerment one-liners. Arenales became an immediate favorite with fans when he spoke to defend Espinal during the heated stand about Business Challenge, whereby the personality of Arenales was openly criticized by other male cast members.

The winning pair spoke with Variety About their relationship, their individual journeys in the villa and who they intend to tackle at the reunion.

You both made Love Island USA history as the first Latino pair and a few Bombshells to win the show. What does breaking that barrier mean for both of you?

Amaya Espinal: It’s a huge explanation. I am happy that we have been able to represent our Latino community and also show the public that our connection is real and powerful, and that the Casa Amor or Bombshell story means nothing.

Bryan Arenales: We set this new standard because people look down on Casa or Bombshells. Now you can’t look down on it. It is a matter of being yourself and making the right connections, instead of playing the game.

You have become known for your iconic quotes. How does it feel to know that your words are resonated with so many people?

Amaya: It is such a powerful feeling. They tell me that I am talking to metaphors. I learned that in fifth grade, but I forgot what it meant. So then I searched it on Google, and I am: “Oh shit, I do.” I just speak from the bottom of my heart with so much passion. I think it’s great that it resonates with many people.

What is your favorite quote that you have said?

Amaya: I am a sensitive gangster.

You both called part of the money. What are your other plans for how you spend the money?

Amaya: We want to invest and ensure that our future is set up for our future family and children. A holiday is needed.

What destination do you have in mind?

Bryan: We have not yet been to Turks and Caicos, so certainly there.

Your final date was a favorite with fans. Why did you thought that was the right time to ask Amaya to be exclusive?

Bryan: It was so perfectly set up. To be honest, we have taken the right steps. It just felt good and I knew it was the end. I wanted to let her know and see where her priorities were with us and keep taking the steps to make everything work.

What does building this connection look like now that you are outside the villa?

Amaya: Priority to Quality Time. I want to meet other members of his family, especially his mom. He must meet my brothers and sisters. Small things that are very impactful and sentimental to both of us, such as going on dates or have film evenings in each other’s houses. We want to enjoy each other’s company now that cameras and microphones are eliminated.

You remained faithful to yourself, even when connections with ACE, Austin and Zak did not succeed. Have you ever had the feeling that your person was not in the villa?

Amaya: At some point, yes. After a certain time you can find out if this person is more platonic or romantic. If a door did not open, I had something like: “Ok, close by. Next.” But at some point I thought, “Damn, with whom is more here that I could build that connection with?” Then I met Bryan in Casa Amor and I already felt physically attracted to him. We had never flirted at that moment. We have always had conversations. After he came up for me, I thought, “Wait, wait a minute. My heart is not the only one with a heartbeat now.”

Was there ever a point that you were considering leaving the show?

Amaya: No, because I remained hopeful. One thing that someone should never lose sight of is always having hope and faith. Regardless of whether a certain connection did not work for me, I remained faithful.

It was great to see you and ace solve things after a rocky start, but viewers had no chance to see that moment you pronounced it. What did the conversation look like behind the scenes?

Amaya: He sat opposite me at one of the tables. We both looked at each other and said, “Okay, I think it’s time to name a truce.” It is clear that things have not succeeded, and we are better off as friends, especially because I have such a great friendship with Chelley. I didn’t want things to be uncomfortable or that there would be negativity. We shake hands. I had something like: “Yo, Armistice? No beef, only chicken.” Then we hugged it. Then we started to become the best friends.

Has that conversation for the heart rate challenge happened?

Amaya: It happened before that. But when he said, “What’s going on, darling” for me with that challenge, my mouth was on the floor. I was squeezed.

After Casa Amor you told the boys that you found Amaya attractive. What did you prevent Amaya from getting early for a chat?

Bryan: I always found her super attractive and my type. But we started as friends and went our own way. She spoke with a few different people. At the time I was with Andreina and I just explored that. We just had that one conversation on the seats, and that changed everything.

Why did you come to Amaya’s defense during the challenge ‘stand on business’?

Bryan: It was just a natural reaction. I felt that people dimmed her lightly. As everyone knows, she has a very bright light and I don’t think anyone should dim that. It is our culture and people not understood. They told her that they had to meet her halfway. And it felt like they didn’t meet her halfway. With our culture that is exactly how we talk.

Did you bother yourself that none of the girls spoke to you during that challenge?

Amaya: I darkened all the time. It was hard for me to concentrate on what everyone said. When I walked away, Huda and Cierra made a priority to come and comfort me. Although they didn’t speak for me at the time, they were there to help me calm down. I don’t see it because they don’t speak for me because they did that.

When Zak tried to circling back after America rank the highest ranking in the ‘hatred of bursting your bubble challenge’, did you feel that he was real?

Amaya: I don’t have the best eyesight in general, but when I tell you that I had a 20/20 vision. I saw through that nonsense. I tried to keep it cute and stylish. I’m not going to be filthy for anyone. So if you want to talk, we can have a quick conversation, but know that I clock. I didn’t feel at all that it was real. He was just in it for the game.

You and Huda seem to be good friends. Were you surprised by her reaction when you kissed Jeremiah during the baseball challenge?

Amaya: I am not surprised because she is just a very passionate girl who gives deep about people with whom she has a romantic relationship, but also goes for her Platonic friendships. I know she doesn’t play about me. Looking back that when her strong bond and they were very focused on each other, so I understand where she comes from.

We have the reunion on the agenda. Is there a situation or person who approaches the reunion?

Bryan: Bag. We will talk.

Amaya: I would like to address Austin.

What do you want to tackle specifically?

Amaya: We never had that clear communication before he was eliminated, and I want to discuss the position about business challenge. “Why couldn’t he talk to me for that?” I felt blinded, especially now, seeing certain clips from the facial reactions that he would give me and comments he would make the boys about me that he never said to me.

Bryan: With Zak it is very well known that I disagree with the shit he says.

What message do you hope that your trip to other women will send those similar experiences where people have tried to dim their light?

Amaya: Always stay true to yourself. Be yourself, whatever happens, because the right man, band or who you will find. If they are not your cup of tea, don’t drink it. If your light is too clear, wear sunglasses and turn the other way. You are your own best friend. Let no one ever destroy that self -love, because once you have it, it becomes incredibly powerful. And you become the powerful queen you are.