After making Love Island USA history as part of the show’s first Latino winning couple, Amaya Espinal opens up with emotion about her pride in representing her heritage — and candidly addresses the shock and disappointment surrounding castmate Cierra Ortega’s sudden exit over a racism scandal, urging growth and accountability.

Fresh off her historic win on Love Island USA Season 7, Amaya Espinal is stepping into the spotlight beyond the villa walls — and she’s not holding back.

In an emotional and candid interview on the July 16 episode of the hit podcast Call Her Daddy, the 25-year-old cardiac nurse from New York opened up about her journey from bombshell to fan favorite, her victory alongside Bryan Arenales, and the abrupt controversy that led to the removal of fellow contestant Cierra Ortega.

Espinal, affectionately nicknamed “Amaya Papaya” by fans, won over America with her sincerity and warmth throughout the season.

On July 13, she and Arenales, 27, were crowned the winning couple during the Love Island finale in Fiji, taking home a shared $100,000 prize.

Their win marked a major milestone as they became the first Latino couple to claim the top spot in the show’s history — a moment Espinal described as “deeply personal and historic.”

“My parents literally came from the Dominican Republic with nothing,” she said during the podcast, visibly moved.

“So to be here, representing our culture on national television, it’s beyond words. I feel incredibly blessed.”

But amid the celebrations, Espinal also found herself addressing the growing controversy surrounding Cierra Ortega, a former villa resident who was suddenly removed from the show after screenshots of past racist remarks surfaced online.

Ortega, whose family is of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, came under fire after social media users uncovered Instagram posts in which she used a racial slur aimed at Asian people, specifically mocking the appearance of their eyes.

The backlash was swift and intense, prompting Love Island USA producers to remove Ortega from the villa without warning.

“We all genuinely did not know,” Espinal told host Alex Cooper. “We didn’t get the chance to say goodbye. We weren’t able to see her pack her bags. It literally just happened in the flash of an eye. It felt very unreal.”

Ortega later released a nearly five-minute “accountability video” on social media, apologizing to “the entire Asian community,” claiming ignorance about the slur’s painful history.

“I had no idea that the word held as much pain, as much harm, and came with the history that it did,” she said tearfully in the video. However, the damage had already been done.

Espinal, who has since been praised for her thoughtful and composed response, emphasized the weight of language in shaping public dialogue. “I definitely do think words matter, and everyone should be respected,” she said.

“I just hope that she learns from her consequences. She is a grown woman, so hopefully moving forward, this should not be repeated.”

This wasn’t the first racial controversy to hit Season 7. Earlier in the show’s run, original islander Yulissa Escobar exited off-camera after clips of her using a racial slur during a podcast resurfaced.

Though her departure received little on-air attention, fans quickly connected the dots online, prompting Escobar to issue a written apology stating, “I am sorry for using a word I had no right in using.”

The dual controversies have raised questions about vetting procedures in reality television casting, as well as the broader responsibilities of contestants navigating fame in the age of digital accountability.

Still, Espinal remains focused on the positive impact of her win — especially for the Latino community.

“There’s so much negative portrayal of our people in the media, especially in the last few years,” she said, referencing the Trump-era immigration crackdowns that left many Latinos feeling demonized and misrepresented.

“To see people cheering for us, sending messages in Spanish, sharing love from all over — it’s honestly overwhelming.”

Espinal and Arenales, who connected late in the season as “bombshells” — surprise entrants who shake up established relationships — quickly emerged as a fan-favorite duo for their sincerity and effortless chemistry.

Viewers praised their emotional vulnerability and cultural pride, propelling them to victory in the public vote.

Now back in the U.S., Espinal says she plans to continue working as a nurse while exploring opportunities in media and public speaking, particularly around Latino representation and women’s empowerment.

“Winning Love Island was incredible,” she said. “But what I care about most is using this platform to uplift others and show people — especially young girls who look like me — that we belong in every space. And we don’t have to change who we are to be loved.”