Love Island USA: season 7 brings twists and Florida trio into focus
The seventh season of “Love Island USA” continues to captivate fans with episodes full of drama, romance, and twists, and episode 7, aired on Monday, June 9, 2025, was no exception. Three Florida contestants—Austin Shepard, Chelley Bissainthe, and Nicolas Vansteenberghe—remain in the villa, representing the state amid love triangles and evolving connections. The new episode premiered at 9 p.m. (Eastern Time) and was broadcast on Peacock and Bravo, airing daily from Thursday to Tuesday. Filmed in real time, the show features Florida native host Ariana Madix and the iconic narration of Scottish comedian Iain Stirling. Viewers follow the intense dynamics in the villa, where the audience decides the fate of the couples through votes on the official Love Island app. The season, which began last week, has already delivered memorable moments and promises more excitement for fans.
New episodes arrive frequently, keeping viewers glued to the screen. The break on Wednesdays offers a brief pause, but the action returns strongly the next day. The participation of Floridians has generated significant interest, especially due to their unique stories and interactions.
- Austin Shepard, 26, originally from Northville, Michigan, but residing in Fort Lauderdale, explores his connection with Chelley Bissainthe.
- Chelley Bissainthe, 27, from Orlando, assesses whether her bond with Austin is romantic or just friendly.
- Nicolas Vansteenberghe, 24, from Jacksonville, was at the center of a love triangle, keeping fans’ attention.
The current season maintains a fast pace, with eliminations and recouplings that change the game every episode.
Florida contestants in the villa spotlight
The three Florida representatives remain strong in the competition, each bringing their own narrative. Austin Shepard, 26, moved to Fort Lauderdale and quickly became a central figure, testing his chemistry with Chelley Bissainthe, 27, from Orlando. Meanwhile, Nicolas Vansteenberghe, 24, from Jacksonville, faced a love triangle with two women, creating high-tension moments. Their presence keeps the state in the spotlight, with viewers eager to see how their stories unfold.
The diversity of backgrounds and personalities of the Floridians adds layers to the villa’s dynamics. Each faces unique challenges, from decisions about emotional connections to the pressure of public-voted eliminations.
Where and how to watch new episodes
Fans can follow “Love Island USA” in several ways. The show airs live on Bravo and is available for streaming on Peacock, with episodes released at 9 p.m. (Eastern Time). It airs from Thursday to Tuesday, with a break on Wednesdays, ensuring an almost daily dose of drama and romance.
For streaming fans, Peacock offers affordable options. The premium monthly plan costs $7.99, while the annual subscription is $79.99. The premium plus plan, ad-free, is available for $13.99 per month or $139.99 per year. In addition to episode 7 of the seventh season, seasons four, five, and six are also available on the platform.
Dynamics and current couples of the season
The “Love Island USA” villa is full of evolving connections. The current couples, formed after intense recouplings, include:
- Chelley Bissainthe and Austin Shepard, exploring the nature of their relationship.
- Huda Mustafa, 24, from Raleigh, North Carolina, and Jeremiah Brown, 25, from Los Angeles.
- Amaya Espinal, 25, from New York, and Ace Greene, 22, from Los Angeles.
- Cierra Ortega, 25, from Arizona, and Nicolas Vansteenberghe, from Jacksonville.
- Olandria Carthen, 27, from Decatur, Alabama, and Taylor Williams, 24, from Oklahoma City.
- Charlie Georgiou, 27, from Birmingham, United Kingdom, and Hannah Fields, 23, from Tucson, Arizona.
These pairs face constant tests, with the audience deciding who stays and who leaves the villa.
Yulissa Escobar’s exit sparks reaction
One of the season’s notable changes was the departure of Yulissa Escobar, a Florida contestant. Narrator Iain Stirling announced her exit during the Wednesday episode, June 4, 2025. The decision came after old videos surfaced of Escobar using racial slurs, sparking controversy on social media. On June 6, she issued an apology, acknowledging her mistake and the gravity of the word used.
In her statement, Escobar admitted acting out of ignorance, without understanding the historical weight and pain tied to the term. She highlighted her personal growth since then and expressed a commitment to moving forward with responsibility. Peacock’s production team did not provide official details about the reasons for her exit.
Full cast of the seventh season
The season began with a diverse group of contestants, bringing representatives from various regions. Here’s the complete list of current villa residents:
- Ace Greene, 22, from Los Angeles.
- Austin Shepard, 26, residing in Fort Lauderdale.
- Charlie Georgiou, 27, from Birmingham, United Kingdom.
- Chelley Bissainthe, 27, from Orlando.
- Cierra Ortega, 25, from Arizona.
- Huda Mustafa, 24, from Raleigh, North Carolina.
- Jeremiah Brown, 25, from Los Angeles.
- Nicolas Vansteenberghe, 24, from Jacksonville.
- Olandria Carthen, 27, from Decatur, Alabama.
- Taylor Williams, 24, from Oklahoma City.
- Amaya Espinal, 25, from New York.
- Hannah Fields, 23, from Tucson, Arizona.
The mix of personalities and backgrounds ensures unpredictable moments, with alliances and rivalries forming daily.
Eliminations shape the competition’s pace
So far, two contestants have left the villa. Isabelle “Belle-A” Walker, 22, was eliminated after the recoupling on June 8, when none of the men chose her. She had initially paired with Nicolas Vansteenberghe, but the connection didn’t hold. Yulissa Escobar, meanwhile, left under different circumstances, as previously reported.
Eliminations are a key part of the format, with the audience directly influencing the season’s direction through votes on the official Love Island app.
How public voting works
Viewers have direct power over the contestants’ fate. To vote for favorite islanders or couples, one must download the official Love Island app. Public choices determine:
- Which couples stay together.
- Who remains in the villa.
- Who returns home, either single or heartbroken.
Fan engagement is crucial, and each vote can alter the competition’s course.
Rules for winning “Love Island USA”
The grand prize of “Love Island USA” is decided by viewers. The couple receiving the most votes as the villa’s favorite is declared the winner in the finale. During the final episode, the finalists receive two envelopes: one contains the cash prize, and the other is empty. The person who gets the prize money decides whether to keep it or share it with their partner, testing the strength of the relationship built in the villa.
Production and real-time broadcast
Although “Love Island USA” isn’t aired live, filming happens in real time, with a delay of just one or two days before broadcast. This format captures authentic reactions and spontaneous moments, keeping fans eager for each new episode. Host Ariana Madix, a Florida native, and narrator Iain Stirling continue to guide viewers through this journey full of surprises.
The seventh season is in full swing, with Floridians Austin, Chelley, and Nicolas in the spotlight. New episodes arrive almost daily, and the audience remains a key player, voting to decide the contestants’ future.
