Thu Jul 17 04:50:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**’Love Island USA’ Winner Amaya Espinal Dishes on Victory, Co-Star Controversy in ‘Call Her Daddy’ Interview**
**LOS ANGELES, CA – July 17, 2024** – Fresh off her victory on “Love Island USA,” Amaya Espinal, affectionately known as “Amaya Papaya” by fans, is opening up about her experience on the hit dating competition series in a tell-all interview on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast. In the episode, released July 16, Espinal speaks candidly to host Alex Cooper about her time as a “bombshell,” her surprising win alongside partner Bryan Arenales, and the unexpected controversies that rocked the villa.
Espinal and Arenales, who split the $100,000 prize, made history as the first Latino couple to win “Love Island USA.” Espinal, a New York native and cardiac nurse of Dominican descent, emphasized the significance of their win. “It’s really, really huge,” Espinal told Cooper, highlighting the positive representation it provides for the Latino community.
The conversation also delved into the sudden departure of fellow contestant Cierra Ortega, who was ousted from the show following the resurfacing of a racist slur she allegedly used in past social media posts. Espinal revealed the cast was blindsided by the removal. “We all genuinely did not know,” Espinal explained. “We did not get the chance to say goodbye.”
Ortega, who is of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, later posted an apology video addressing the incident. Espinal emphasized the importance of using inclusive language and hoped Ortega would learn from her actions. “I definitely do think words matter, and everyone should be respected,” she stated. “She is a grown woman, so hopefully moving forward, this should not be repeated.”
Espinal’s appearance on “Call Her Daddy” offers an inside look at the triumphs and challenges of being a reality TV star in the age of social media scrutiny. The episode is available now on all major podcast platforms.
First Piper 