Love Island USA Season 7 Week 1 Recap: Episodes 1-7
Time to couple up for a new season.
The Islanders have entered the Love Island USA villa, and Season 7 is already off to a sizzling start. From steamy makeouts to unexpected breakups to tearful confessions to a surprising exit, the Islanders definitely came to play. Here’s everything that happened during Week 1 in the villa on Love Island USA Season 7.
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
Meet the Islanders
Host Ariana Madix returns to begin a new summer adventure, kicking things off with a choreographed musical number (as you do), and introduces us to the first Season 7 cast members: Chelley, Austin, Huda, Jeremiah, Olandria, Taylor, Belle-A, Nic, Yulissa, and Ace.
The girls get to know the boys and then kiss two of them before choosing who to couple up with. But in a surprise twist, the guys are fair game for any girl at any time.
First Couplings Revealed
- Chelley and Austin
- Huda and Jeremiah
- Olandria and Taylor
- Belle-A and Nic
- Yulissa and Ace
Bombshell Alert
It wouldn’t be Love Island without a twist. By the end of Episode 1, two new bombshells, Charlie and Cierra, are dropped into the villa, and they don’t waste time stirring the pot. During a steamy kissing challenge around a campfire (because why not), each Islander gets the chance to smooch someone outside their couple — in secret. Except for the fact that… four Islanders end up doing it, and the bombshells go full wildcard and kiss everyone.
Let’s just say, what happens around the firepit doesn’t stay there.
Sparks, Secrets, and Shifts
Chelley and Austin seem solid, but Chelley’s real spark might be with Ace, whom she already knew before the show. Huda drops a bombshell of her own: She’s a mom! Jeremiah handles it well, but is he truly ready? Belle-A is vibing with Nic, but she’s hesitant to get physical, which could slow things down. Meanwhile, Yulissa’s playing a sneakier game. She’s not above keeping things quiet if it means getting ahead.
Group dynamics are starting to form fast. The women are talking things out with each other, but the men? They’re not thrilled that Jeremiah and Huda are already getting serious.
The bombshells waste no time shaking up the villa. Islanders take part in a blindfolded “who do you want to get to know” poll, and surprise: Ace, Nic, Olandria, Austin, and Yulissa all raise their hands. Some current couples are clearly not as solid as they seem.
Emotions Run High
The bombshells pick Islanders to join them in the Hideaway, where sparks fly and lines blur. Some Islanders respect boundaries and others don’t, like Olandria, who kisses Ace and later confesses it to the group. Taylor tries to play it cool, but the side-eyes say it all.
Jeremiah expresses strong feelings about his connection with Huda, and it’s clear he’s fully invested. Meanwhile, Belle-A is navigating how to stay true to herself and her pace when it comes to building physical intimacy.
Coupling Curveball
At the recoupling, Nic faces a tough decision and ultimately chooses Cierra, forming a new duo and leaving Belle-A on her own. Emotions are high, but in the world of Love Island, anything can change in a moment.
An Islander’s Early Exit
In one of Episode 2’s biggest surprises, Yulissa leaves the villa. The decision stuns the Islanders and shakes up the dynamics, especially Ace, Charlie, and Belle-A, who suddenly find themselves single and reflecting on what’s next.
Huda Opens Up
Huda is on her own emotional journey as she grapples with how quickly things are moving in the villa. Her perspective on commitment sparks a deeper conversation about what it means to be open to love while staying true to yourself. An emotional moment comes when she shares with a shocked Jeremiah on the dock that she's a single mother.
“That is a f---ing bomb. I did not expect that,” Jeremiah admits, as he processes everything. “Not in a bad way, it’s just a lot of news.” He assures Huda that nothing’s changed between them. Later, Belle-A asks Jeremiah if it’s a dealbreaker that Huda is a mom, and he responds with “Right now, I feel good.”
It’s Complicated
Chelley finds herself caught between two very different energies: Charlie, who seems genuine and steady, and Austin, who’s harder to read. Chelley’s still figuring out where her heart is, but viewers can tell she’s trying to follow her instincts.
Game Time Gets Real
The Islanders play “State Your Case,” a revealing game that dives into past relationships, love declarations, and romantic histories. There are laughs, surprises, and a few uncomfortable truths, exactly what you'd expect when the past meets the present in the villa. But it’s all part of the journey toward deeper connections.
Home Run Connections
The Islanders take part in a baseball-themed challenge, “Getting to Fourth Base,” where the girls rank the Top 4 guys they have (or want) connections with – fourth base being their ultimate choice. Each base gets more intense; it’s just another way for the Islanders to get physical and turned on, leading to hot and messy makeout sessions that leave little to the imagination.
The biggest surprise to come out of the challenge is Belle-A, who takes it upon herself to kiss the guys like her villa life depends on it. But the challenge is interrupted by the arrival of two hot new bombshells...
More Bombshells Arrive
So, who are the newcomers? Amaya and Hannah. They make their picks solely on looks and vibes (probably), and the guys look way too happy about it. Huda, especially, can’t take Jeremiah making out with new bombshell Amaya, who chooses him for fourth base. “Don’t you see what Jeremiah and I have?” Huda asks before she’s forced to watch Jeremiah kiss Amaya.
Later at the villa, while the bombshells are getting to know the guys, the girls are off downloading what just went down. Huda’s upset that Amaya picked Jeremiah and assumes the cardiac nurse is “messy” and has “ulterior motives” without knowing anything about her. The guys tease Jeremiah for being “married” to Huda, but he maintains he only has eyes for her. Huda is panicking that Jeremiah is going to abandon her for Amaya, and Chelley does her best to calm her nerves. Despite Jeremiah keeping his options reasonably open-ish, he gently shoots Amaya down when she broaches the idea of getting to know him better.
Nic’s Messy Love Triangle
Nic is still figuring out his feelings as he explores a connection with Cierra while keeping his bond with Belle-A close. It’s a balancing act that’s drawing attention and stirs curiosity, but his indecision makes Cierra and Belle-A uncomfortable. Nic is “confused” about where he stands because Belle-A and Cierra are opposites, but he’s still attracted to both. After sleeping on it, Nic settles on Cierra being his top choice, while keeping Belle-A in his back pocket.
The baseball challenge brings Belle-A's chances up to 50-50 with Nic. But it’s unsettling for Belle-A how quickly Nic flips over to her, and her gut instinct is right. Moments later, he shares an intimate moment with Cierra in the photo booth. Awkward! Ace and Taylor warn Nic that he’s going to “lose one for sure” and he’s “about to f--- it up” if he doesn’t lock it down.
Bombshells Kiss and Tell
It doesn't take long before Hannah and Amaya land on the guys they're vibing with. For Hannah, it’s Charlie, who she says is exactly her type. They double-check their chemistry with a kiss on the dock. For Amaya, it’s Austin, who she can’t help having giggle fests with because she enjoys his sense of humor, and Ace.
Recoupling Ceremony
Tension is heavy in the villa when the Islanders get a text that the season’s first recoupling is upon them. It’s up to the boys to choose who they want to couple up with. The couples are:
- Jeremiah and Huda
- Taylor and Olandria
- Charlie and Hannah
- Ace and Amaya
- Austin and Chelley
- Nic and Cierra
The recoupling comes down to Nic’s choice between Belle-A and Cierra, and when Nic mentions his rendezvous with Cierra in the photo booth, Belle-A and the other islanders are visibly shocked. Nic’s decision leaves Belle-A single and immediately dumped from the villa. Belle-A wraps up her time in the villa with a sweet girls’ moment in the photo booth.
Nic’s Double-Dipping Catches Up
Remember when Ace and Taylor warned Nic that things will get messy if he continues playing both Belle-A and Cierra? His shady moves finally catch up to him after Olandria lets it slip that Nic was busy kissing Belle-A at Soul Ties. Cierra wants to address it head-on before it festers into something worse down the line. She confronts Nic about not coming clean about locking lips with Belle-A when he had the chance to. Despite the hiccup, they move forward with Cierra telling Nic he needs to “move a little smarter.”
Cracks Form
Paradise doesn’t last long in the Love Island villa. Amaya finds that out moments after Ace tells her he wants to keep exploring his options literally moments after he couples up with her. She tearfully runs to Huda, who reminds her that she's the prize. (Whatever tension existed before between Amaya and Huda has all been snuffed out. The power of sisterhood.) Amaya’s subsequent chat with Ace doesn’t go well, and she says she will respect his boundaries of no physical touch or cuddling.
Ace and Amaya's now-ice-cold connection leaves confusion in the villa. It’s clear that Ace and Chelley are dancing around each other, frustrating Austin, who had a connection with Amaya. Austin vents to Charlie about why Ace and Chelley aren’t just “going for it.” Amaya, who’s naturally affectionate, calls Ace a player and that she’s “over it.”
Jeremiah and Huda’s Date
The “mom and dad” of the villa leave for a waterpark date, and they talk about what their daily lives are like. She thanks Jeremiah for keeping an open mind and not shutting her down completely. It’s only been a week but on Love Island time, that’s like the equivalent to six months. Huda and Jeremiah are already picturing life in the real world, talking about doing the long-distance thing “until the lease is up” (we love practicality) and then living together in the same city. Who knows if they’ll reach that point, but for now, they’re in Love Island bliss – and it sounds like they’re saying the right things.
At the villa party in Episode 7, Huda questions if Jeremiah is waiting for “someone better to come along.” The sudden turn in the conversation stuns Jeremiah, who promises her it’s going to be difficult for a new girl to turn his head. Other islanders question whether Jeremiah and Huda are genuine. Some believe she’s more into him than he is. Either way, they’ve got their eye on Jeremiah.
Week 1 Roundup: Who’s Coupled Up, Who’s Single, and Who Got Dumped?
The first week of Love Island is in the books! Here’s what you need to know heading into Week 2 when Amaya and Chelley battle it out... over Ace?
Who’s Coupled Up
- Jeremiah and Huda
- Taylor and Olandria
- Charlie and Hannah
- Nic and Cierra
Who’s on Thin Ice
Ace and Amaya
Who’s on Friendly Terms
Austin and Chelley
Who Got Dumped
- Belle-A
- Yulissa (left the villa)
Who will stay coupled up and who will get sent home? And will new bombshells tempt the Islanders? Stream new episodes of Love Island USA daily, except Wednesdays, at 9p ET/6p PT on Peacock.
Students, now you can get Peacock at a special discount — just $2.99/mo for 12 months. Visit Peacock to learn more and get started.
