Amaya Espinal confirmed her breakup with Bryan Arenales in an Instagram message to fans on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
The Love Island USA season 7 winners called it quits after their “visions didn’t align” following their exit from the villa in July. Amaya took to her Instagram Story to address speculation about their relationship status.
“My papayas – Bryan and I are no longer together. After leaving the villa, it became very clear that we were on two different journeys. Our visions didn’t align and relationships are supposed to be a team sport. You don’t have to drink the whole sea to know it’s salty. All love here and I truly wish him the best. – Amaya Papaya”
Amaya Says Bryan Ended Things
Around the same time she posted her statement, Amaya suggested Bryan initiated the breakup.
She left a comment on a TikTok video that called out Bryan for being at a club and flirting with other women.
“Imagine being broken up with just to come on TikTok a couple hours later already in distraught to see that he’s in Miami two hours later doing the exact things you told him hurts your feelings.”
Amaya also reposted another video from the same creator. The TikToker called Bryan’s behavior “embarrassing” and said she was “so glad that his true colors are showing now.”
Bryan’s Response
Bryan posted his own statement hours later on his Instagram Story.
“As many of you already know, Amaya and I have decided to go our separate ways. Unfortunately, we were not on the same page and that is okay. We have both gained clarity that we are on different paths right now. I am thankful for the time we have spent together and I wish her nothing but the best moving forward. “
The split confirmation came two days after fans noticed the couple unfollowed each other on Instagram.
Amaya’s recent TikTok activity hinted at her mindset. She reposted content about feeling “disappointed but not surprised” and shared an edit featuring Kerry Washington on Scandal that said, “When I finally pick myself back up and never let my walls down like that again.”
Addressing Cheating Rumors
During the Love Island reunion special that aired the same night, Amaya and Bryan addressed past rumors that he’d cheated on her after leaving the Fiji villa in July.
Bryan dismissed the allegations.
“They’re trying to just throw any hate my way,” he said, while Amaya laughed beside him.
Bryan claimed a video showing him with other women at a bar was taken out of context. He explained he was working a paid hosting gig at the time.
“The hosting, I got paid to be there. I used to bartend back in the day. I had a lapse in judgement, and we’ve talked about it.”
Host Andy Cohen pressed Bryan about what exactly that “lapse in judgement” involved.
Bryan replied it was “pouring shots around, getting the crowd shots and stuff like that.”
Amaya defended their relationship dynamic at the time.
“And I’m also not a woman that would be with someone who doesn’t respect me. So if I’m with him and still with him currently, it’s because the relationship dynamic is healthy and great.”
Previous Denials
Bryan had previously shut down breakup rumors on social media in late July, calling them “lies.”
“That’s absolutely not true,” he wrote in a comment on a fan page’s post about them splitting.
He doubled down in a second comment, writing that they were still “together and spending time with family and friends.”
Love Island USA is available to stream on Peacock.
