Love Island USA Season 7 Week 5 Recap: Episodes 27-32
From standing on business to bursting bubbles, the Villa continues to heat up.
It’s the penultimate week before Love Island USA says goodbye to Season 7, but things are still heating up in the Villa. From crashouts to a surprise exit and co-parenting “babies,” the spicy challenges and America’s votes are keeping the remaining Islanders on their toes.
Here’s everything that happened during Week 5 of Love Island USA Season 7.
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
Fallout From Standing on Business
The Islanders haven’t just stood on business, they’ve stomped on friendships and trampled all over their connections. Tension is high in the aftermath of the “Standing on Business” challenge.
The girls and boys separate to debrief the shocking revelations that took place. On the pink couches, Olandria explains to the girls how she stood on business when she called Taylor out for stringing her along and giving up on their connection so quickly. Amaya feels misunderstood after the boys call her overly emotional during the challenge, declaring, “If I’m not your cup of tea, don’t f***ing drink it.”
At the firepit, Nic and Pepe defend Amaya for being in an emotional state, but Zak and Austin double down on what they said. Pepe feels bad about the comment made about Hannah, and Gracyn says that whoever wrote it did not consider her feelings at all. Amaya notices Huda in the corner and reaches out to her, but Huda acknowledges that she’s not in the right state of mind and removes herself from the conversation.
As the girls get ready for bed, Gracyn cries about the comment insinuating that Pepe liked Hannah more. Amaya says that whoever said it is a coward for not stepping forward. Later in bed, Huda confides to Chris that it was her that wrote that comment. The Islanders go to sleep with unresolved resentment lingering in the air.
Redemption, Resentment, and Regrets
The next morning, the Islanders process their emotions with clearer minds and address the ripple effects of the challenge.
After airing out her kiss with Chris in front of the Islanders, Olandria speaks with Huda on the terrace about her choice to reveal that secret, explaining that she is also friends with Chelley and did not think Huda was aligned with girlhood. However, Huda stands by her growing connection with Chris and describes how alone she felt when everyone was yelling at her. Olandria acknowledges that she could have handled the situation differently. The two hug it out and repair their bond as close friends.
Meanwhile, Zak pulls Amaya for a chat to explain his comments from last night, but she holds her ground, telling him he had ample time to share his feelings rather than fueling the fire. Zak admits he shouldn’t have kissed her at their first meeting in order to establish his boundaries. Disgusted by his contradictory and confusing responses, Amaya delivers a sharp one-liner: “You are an extremely odd individual, and I do not want to f***ing talk to you ever again,” ending the conversation and cutting things off with Zak.
Gracyn attempts to clarify where she stands with Pepe. She believes in their connection and expresses her frustration that the comment made her feel invisible. Pepe reveals that he doesn’t feel a spark and because of that, he doesn’t want to continue exploring their connection.
Chelley and Huda also address their feelings. Chelley says she's given Huda grace throughout their time in the Villa and did not like how Huda approached Ace during the heart rate challenge and when she recoupled with Chris. Huda apologizes for making Chelley feel this way, and hoping that moving forward, Chelley will talk to her when she feels slighted by Huda. The girls share a warm hug after repairing their friendship.
Clarke gets a text announcing that the Islanders will find out what America thinks of them in the “Hate to Burst Your Bubble” challenge.
Bursting Bubbles
Host Ariana Madix arrives to deliver the results of the polls where America ranked the Islanders from most- to least-liked for the boys, girls, and couples.
In the challenge, the male and female Islanders rank themselves from 1st to 10th place based on where they think they should be. The 1st place Islander’s balloon will pop, showering them in confetti. The 10th place Islander’s balloon will also pop, drenching them in slime. Afterwards, Ariana will reveal the results of America’s votes, and the Islanders will move to the correct position.
The Islanders rank Elan as the most genuine boy and put Zak last, but America picks Pepe to be in the top spot and Taylor last. The group think Ace is boyfriend material and rank Austin last in that department, but America once again chooses Pepe in the enviable No. 1 slot and Taylor at the bottom. The Islanders believe Jaden is the girl you trust most with your secrets and Huda is the one with the loosest lips. It doesn’t line up with what America thinks because they vote Amaya and Clarke, respectively. Olandria is chosen by the Islanders to be the most genuine girl, while America thinks Amaya has earned that honor.
The couple the Islanders think would be the best to vacation with is Amaya and Zak, which lines up with the public’s votes. At the end of the stick, Clarke and Taylor find themselves questioning why their fellow Islanders – as well as America – think they wouldn’t be ideal trip partners.
Ariana reveals that America has voted for their favorite boy and favorite girl. The three girls and three boys with the least votes are at risk of going home, leaving Jaden, Gracyn, and Andreina vulnerable for the girls and TJ, Taylor, and Austin for the boys. After careful deliberation, Taylor is saved by the Islanders. That means Jaden, Gracyn, Andreina, TJ, and Austin’s time in the Villa is over.
When the Smoke Clears
With five Islanders dumped from the Villa and the results of America’s rankings, the remaining Islanders have a lot to process.
Iris is devastated by TJ’s departure and doesn’t know if she'll explore new connections. Taylor is grateful to survive and feels bad that Clarke is being punished for his choices, but he’s happy that Clarke was not in the bottom three, allowing them to explore their connection. Ace and Chelley are surprised to be at the bottom of the polls, not only as individuals but also as a couple. Olandria is hurt Cierra stood behind Taylor to save him. Cierra later explains that it would have devastated Nic if Taylor was sent home.
Iris and Pepe bond over similar circumstances where their strongest connections, TJ and Hannah respectively, were eliminated. Meanwhile, Amaya checks on Clarke, telling her she didn’t deserve to be in the bottom. Chelley cooks breakfast for Ace to show her appreciation and wants him to know that she is ready to lock things up.
Crashing Out
Love Island is no stranger to a dramatic crash-out, and the Islanders reenact some of them for the “Crashing Out” challenge.
Each boy picks a wingman or wingwoman to run at the door of the option they prefer. They will then jump on lily pads on the pool as Islanders launch slime balloons at them. They will announce the moment when they crashed out and then get pied in the face before kissing an Islander in the ball pit.
- Nic chooses Olandria and his crash-out happened when he left the Villa. He kisses Cierra.
- Taylor picks Ace and his crash-out was when he had to twerk for Megan Thee Stallion. He kisses Clarke.
- Ace picks Olandria. His crash-out happened when Nic left the Villa. He kisses Chelley.
- Zak picks Amaya. He crashed out when Austin left the Villa. He kisses Olandria.
- Chris chooses Bryan. He says his crash-out happened when he realized the bed wasn’t big enough. He kisses Huda.
- Pepe chooses Taylor. He crashes out every time someone leaves the Villa. He kisses Iris.
- Elan chooses Cierra. His crash-out was when he realized Nic was still in the Villa. He kisses Iris.
- Bryan picks Huda. He says he has never crashed out. He kisses Amaya.
The girls crown Ace as the ultimate crash-out king.
Connection and Closure
The challenge sparks interest for some Islanders hoping to explore a new connection while others seek closure for old flames. Zak apologizes to Amaya for the way he spoke to her during the “Stand on Business” challenge. Amaya also apologizes for responding with anger and curse words. They're happy to squash their beef and part as friends.
Iris asks Pepe why he chose her for the challenge. He says she makes him feel comfortable. Iris admits she’s only had three boyfriends, but the challenge and their conversations are making her rethink that it may be worth seeing where this spark takes them. Both are excited for what their connection can bring.
Bryan takes Amaya to the speakeasy, reassuring her that she can be herself around him. She explains that her love language is physical touch, and he hopes to explore their connection deeper. She blushes and he leans in, pulling her for a passionate kiss.
Clarke’s Dream Date
The next morning, Taylor plans a date with Clarke, enlisting Ace to help him with a breakfast picnic. Amaya stalls Clarke as the boys set things up. Taylor reassures Clarke that he cares about their relationship, and they have breakfast together.
An Islander Exits
It’s revealed that Cierra has left the Villa. Nic is now single and confused about what to do moving forward.
Love Rectangle?
Huda receives a text that there will be a recoupling that night where the girls get to choose who to partner with.
It’s crystal clear that Amaya Papaya is in demand in the Villa. Elan, Zak, and Bryan pull her for chats, leaving Amaya overwhelmed and wanting more time to make her decision.
Nicolandria Resurrected
While Nic and Olandria initially agreed to keep things platonic, things have now changed for the fan-favorite pair.
Nic pulls Olandria for a chat and says he wants them to keep having each other’s backs. Olandria believes that Nic grounds her and now that their past “distractions” are gone, she wants to explore their relationship more seriously.
Recoupling Night
Ariana returns to the Villa for the latest recoupling. The girls choose the boy they want to couple up with and the pairings are:
- Chelley and Ace
- Clarke and Taylor
- Huda and Chris
- Iris and Pepe
- Olandria and Nic
- Amaya and Bryan
Zak and Elan are dumped from the Villa.
Mamacitas and Papacitos
The next morning, the Islanders wake up to the sound of crying babies. Each couple is handed a baby to feed, comfort, and change. Huda is especially grateful for this challenge since she understands how unique the parenting experience is. While working out, Nic tells Ace that he no longer thinks his relationship with Olandria is “just friends.” He admits to feeling a fiery spark in his chest after sharing the same bed with her and is open to seeing where it goes.
Chris leads a parent-and-baby yoga class. During the workout, Huda is annoyed that Chris doesn’t ask her how she’s feeling after all the other Islanders have a chance to.
Baby Races and Hurdles
The girls head to brunch while the boys are left to watch the babies. Left to their own whims, the boys do a stroller race around the Villa. During the race, Chris and Huda get into a fight. She’s frustrated with him for slacking off with the baby while he feels like she’s controlling him too much. Later, Huda confesses she misses her daughter and how the challenge triggered past trauma. Chris apologizes for being flippant and the couple appear to come back stronger.
With the baby challenge over, the results are announced. Clarke and Taylor is the couple who took the best care of their baby. Other couples who passed: Huda and Chris, Olandria and Nic, and Iris and Pepe. The couples who failed are Chelley and Ace, and Amaya and Bryan.
After the challenge, the Islanders share intimate moments as well as secrets. Chris confides in Bryan that he was intimate with Huda last night. Chelley plans a date for Ace and they make smores over the firepit. Iris and Pepe reflect on their day together. He admits that he wanted to kiss her during the baby challenge. When asked why he didn’t, Pepe makes his move and they kiss after a long day of “parenting.”
The Hideaway Is Open
The Islanders receive an exciting text: the Hideaway is now open! And they can choose one couple to spend a private night together. The Islanders pick Amaya and Bryan. The boys and girls cheer the couple on as they head into the Hideaway and things quickly get steamy between Bryan and Amaya.
The next morning when they debrief, Bryan tells the boys that the night was beautiful, and Amaya tells the girls that their time was intimate and special.
Shoot Your Shot
The boys receive a text that they will be playing a game of 3-on-3 basketball. The teams are Taylor, Chris, and Nic versus Pepe, Bryan, and Ace. Showcasing their basketball abilities just as much as their trash-talking skills, the boys play a heated game. Taylor, Chris, and Nic win.
Taylor wants to close things off with Clarke after coming to the conclusion that she's brought out a whole new side of him. After he leads a toast, the boys do a prepared cheer spelling out Clarke’s name and Taylor asks her to be exclusive with him. She says yes. Another Love Island couple makes it official!
A Rocky Relationship
Chris is confused that Huda won’t kiss him in public, but she’s fine being intimate with him in private. He wants her to feel comfortable with PDA in front of the other Islanders rather than seeming ashamed of their relationship.
During their conversation, Chris grows increasingly frustrated because Huda keeps cutting him off, and she walks away. In her confessional, Huda reveals she doesn’t want to repeat the mistakes of her last relationship in the Villa and feels that she’s letting Chris down.
Another Couple Gets Dumped
The Islanders are instructed to gather around the firepit. America has been voting for their favorite couple over the past few days. The couple with the fewest votes will be dumped from the island.
The couples who are safe are:
- Chelley and Ace
- Amaya and Bryan
- Iris and Pepe
- Huda and Chris
This leaves Clarke and Taylor, and Nic and Olandria who are at risk. Clarke and Taylor receive the fewest votes and are dumped from the island.
Week 5 Roundup: Who’s Coupled Up, Who’s Single, and Who Got Dumped?
Here’s what you need to know heading into the final days of Love Island USA Season 7. With five couples left in the Villa, who’s in the driver’s seat to take it all?
Who’s Coupled Up
- Chelley and Ace
- Amaya and Bryan
- Iris and Pepe
- Huda and Chris
- Nic and Olandria
Who’s Single
- No one
Who Got Dumped
- Jaden
- Gracyn
- Andreina
- TJ
- Austin
- Zak
- Elan
- Taylor
- Clarke
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