We Solicited Advice From 'Love Island USA' Winner Amaya "Papaya" Espinal

The beloved reality star dishes on everything from her hair care routine to tips for the bedroom to the joys of being "extra."

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When Love Island USA season 7 aired earlier this summer, emotional girlies across the globe found a new role model in bombshell Amaya Espinal. The 25-year-old nurse from N.Y.C. arrived in the villa on day five and quickly stood out with her bubbly, effusive personality and enviable confidence. Even when some of the men on the show tried to diminish her shine, Amaya stood tall and gave girls who have been seen as "too much" a new mantra: "God forbid I'm a sensitive gangsta."

Ahead of the season 7 reunion, Amaya Papaya—who won this installment with her beau Bryan—sat down with Marie Claire to give some Solicited Advice to all of us who miss seeing her on our TVs. The people's princess answered our questions on everything from hair care to bedroom tips to how to cut off an ex. She also gave a new set of remixed aphorisms for situations, including clapping back to the haters—"If I'm too much for you, find something that's less"—and telling if a crush likes you—"If he's not meeting you in a middle ground, baby, let him fall through those cracks."

Amaya Espinal (left) watches as Bryan Arenales (right) opens a bottle of champagne, as they sit on a couch in a living-room setup outdoors at night, in 'Love Island USA' season 7.

Love Island USA winners Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales.

(Image credit: Ben Symons/Peacock)

Watch the special clip above, and tune in to the Love Island USA season 7 reunion on Monday, August 25, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, streaming on Peacock.

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Quinci LeGardye
Culture Writer

Quinci LeGardye is a Culture Writer at Marie Claire. She currently lives in her hometown of Los Angeles after periods living in NYC and Albuquerque, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology from The University of New Mexico. In 2021, she joined Marie Claire as a contributor, becoming a full-time writer for the brand in 2024. She contributes day-to-day-content covering television, movies, books, and pop culture in general. She has also written features, profiles, recaps, personal essays, and cultural criticism for outlets including Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, HuffPost, Teen Vogue, Vulture, The A.V. Club, Catapult, and others. When she isn't writing or checking Twitter way too often, you can find her watching the latest K-drama, or giving a concert performance in her car.