Amaya Espinal Draws Firm Line With Austin Shepard and Zak Srakaew After Love Island USA
Here is the inside track on Love Island USA season seven’s most talked-about drama. Amaya “Papaya” Espinal has broken her silence on where she stands with fellow Islanders Austin Shepard and Zak Srakaew since leaving the villa in an exclusive E! News interview. The self-proclaimed sensitive gangster brought equal parts warmth and fire to Fiji, but her villa exit marked a clear end to two key connections.
Amaya was quick to confirm that she and Austin have no plans to reconnect. She revealed that after his elimination, they never spoke again and that she has since learned new details about his behavior she was unaware of while under the villa’s sun. Citing her own high emotional standards, she conveyed that certain villa criticisms crossed a line. “Austin, I don’t speak to him,” Amaya said. “We haven’t spoken since his elimination. And there’s things that I’m seeing that I literally had no idea about.”
Her take on Zak Srakaew, her brief Casa Amor spark, was equally direct. Amaya laughed when she noted how accurately fans have painted his villa persona. “Zak, man, I think that picture is painted perfectly. I don’t mess with him whatsoever. And obviously he keeps talking about Bryan and me.” She promised that when the season seven reunion airs, Zak better be ready for a mailbox full of questions. The former Casa Amor connection now seems destined for drama rather than romance.
Not all her post-villa relationships are tense. She and Ace Greene, who left coupled with Chelley Bissainthe, already called a truce in the villa during a memorable family dinner. “Ace and I are pretty cool,” she said, recalling that moment as a highlight that brought them back together.
Beyond interpersonal fallout, Amaya is seizing major brand opportunities. She expressed excitement at teaming up with Fenty Beauty and noted admiration for Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty initiatives. “I’m overwhelmed just with positivity, and I really do feel blessed,” she said, emphasizing her commitment to partnerships that champion women.
Her winner and partner, Bryan Arenales, is adjusting to life in the spotlight. He admitted social media was new territory until a few weeks before the show but now welcomes the attention and new projects. The duo, who claimed the Love Island USA crown together, continues to build their relationship outside the villa.
Fans eager for more updates on season seven couples can look back at Uma Jammen and Wil Anderson, who got engaged a year after meeting on Love Island UK. Meanwhile, Amaya and Bryan remain a powerful post-villa pair, standing strong through both emotion and ambition. And there you have it. Watch closely as more villa revelations surface next time around.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News, E! Online
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
