Iris Kendall and José “Pepe” Garcia arrived separately in Love Island USA Season 7—but fate, fan votes, and emotional timing brought them together in a romance that lived quietly but left a memorable mark. They finished in fourth place, yet their journey stands out not for fireworks, but for moments of honesty, connection, and growth amid the drama.
Entering the Villa: Late Bombshells Shake Things Up
Iris, a 25-year-old spray-tan artist and influencer from Los Angeles, entered the villa on Day 9 as one of the bombshells introduced during a challenge designed to stir up the games. Her confident aura and glamorous style immediately reached across couples—some welcomed her, others bristled.
Pepe, also 27, originally from Los Angeles with roots in Madrid, Spain, joined alongside her on Day 9. He was introduced as an ex‑pro basketball player turned personal trainer and gym owner, combining competitive energy with a grounded, coaching presence.
Initial Connections That Didn’t Stick
Upon arrival, Iris was voted by America to couple up with Jeremiah Brown—her entry driving tension as Huda Mustafa was then coupled with him. Iris’s early connection with Jeremiah was explosive but short-lived: by Episode 16, Jeremiah was dumped and his couple allegiance shifted.
Meanwhile, Pepe was paired first with Hannah Fields, in a matchup also chosen by fan votes. Their bond ended when Hannah was eliminated on Day 16, leaving Pepe vulnerable but still in the game.
At that point the season looked like typical reality romance: bombshells arriving, coupled up, and shaken up. But what followed was more heart‑centered than manipulative.
Unexpected Bond: When Two Storms Collide
With their early partners gone, Iris and Pepe found themselves single in the later mid-season. They had quietly observed each other—both batted around by the same love‑triangle storms but still standing.
During Casa Amor, when other couples stayed steady, the bond between Iris and Pepe deepened. Neither had immediate romantic chemistry before—yet in those later days, they gravitated toward one another naturally, based on mutual vulnerability and emotional openness.
Their coupling on Day 26 marked a shift: no more dramatic edits, just two people meeting through challenge and heartbreak and admitting it felt good to be grounded with each other.
Final Weeks: From Villa Tension to Quiet Compatibility
In the final week—when the island had narrowed—the contrast between loud declarative couples and Iris & Pepe was clear. They weren’t loud, but they were anchored.
Their dynamic became emblematic of mature television romance: un-fussy, respectful, and rooted in kindness. Fans watching on social media praised their calm and chemistry—not manufactured drama, but personality meeting possibility.
By Day 32 (July 13, 2025), Iris and Pepe finished in fourth place, just behind the winners and runner-ups. Though they didn’t win, their quietly compelling arc resonated greatly with viewers seeking authenticity in reality TV.
Post-Villa Reality: Dating Like Real Humans
After filming wrapped, Iris and Pepe confirmed their romance was exclusive and grounded in beginning as friends. In interviews, they consciously described their dating intention: “We just want to date like normal”—away from the cameras and assignments, appreciating small life moments like fast‑food runs or LA drives.
Iris also felt the need for emotional closure with her former partner TJ Palma, and separately met with him off-camera to affirm that her feelings had been real in the villa—while also clarifying her commitment to Pepe now.
Similarly, Pepe reached out to Hannah Fields, reconnecting as friends after things ended. He emphasized that their villa time was real—but so is what he has now with Iris.
Who Are They Outside the Drama?
Iris Kendall
- Born September 29, 1999—she’s 25 in mid-2025.
- A spray tan business owner (310 Glo) turned social media influencer in beauty, fashion, and lifestyle based in Los Angeles.
- She’s celebrated for her poised, glamorous on-screen presence and emotional honesty.
Pepe Garcia
- Born March 20, 1998—27 in 2025.
- Hometown Los Angeles; professional basketball experience via Cal State Fullerton and European leagues, later launching a personal‑training brand and gym called Pro Gainz Training in 2023.
- Often praised for balancing charm, competitive spirit, and emotional clarity.
They’re well-educated and grounded outside the villa—both speak openly about their pre-show careers, motivations, and industry goals. Pepe had over 500,000 Instagram followers during filming, and Iris’s fanbase grew steadily as viewers gravitated toward her sincerity.
Why Their Season 7 Arc Matters
In a show built around drama loops and strategic re-couplings, Iris & Pepe stood apart by simply being honest with themselves—and trusting the path forward. They didn’t play to the camera. They didn’t engineer plot twists.
Instead, they embodied:
- Emotional transparency: admitting their struggles and sadness from early love triangles.
- Slow-burn intimacy: forming connection only after previous partners fell away.
- Authenticity in public: committing post-show to dating without performance or filters.
Their presence reminded fans that reality TV can contain tenderness—and that strength doesn’t always come from confrontation or manipulation, but from vulnerability and emotional honesty.
📋 Iris & Pepe at a Glance
| Attribute | Iris Kendall | Pepe Garcia |
|---|---|---|
| Age (2025) | 25 (born Sept 29, 1999) | 27 (born Mar 20, 1998) |
| Hometown | Los Angeles, California | Los Angeles / Madrid, Spain |
| Pre-show Career | Spray-tan studio owner, influencer | Ex‑pro basketball player; personal trainer & gym owner |
| Villa Entry | Day 9 bombshell | Day 9 bombshell |
| Early Couplings | Jeremiah → TJ Palma → single → Pepe | Hannah → single → Iris |
| Final Placement | 4th place with Pepe | 4th place with Iris |
| Post-show Romance | Exclusive with Pepe; closure with TJ | Exclusive with Iris; remains friends with Hannah |
| Social Media Growth | Influencer feed (@iriskendall) | ~500k+ followers; growing (@pepe.garcia15) |
Final Reflection
Iris Kendall and Pepe Garcia’s season was less about betrayal or betrayal’s drama and more about reclaiming connection—through heartbreak, change, and emotional truth.
That they connected only after others were gone isn’t a coincidence—it feels like fate’s pause button. Their post-show choice to date “like normal” speaks volumes: they’re opting for sincerity, not spectacle.
In a reality TV era craving authenticity, Iris and Pepe gave us a storyline that didn’t explode but evolved—and in a show defined by strategy, theirs was a quiet radical move.
❓FAQs About Iris & Pepe
Q: Did Iris and Pepe date other people on the show first?
Yes—initially Iris was with Jeremiah and TJ; Pepe was with Hannah. They only began dating after those connections ended.
Q: Are they still together post-show?
Yes—they confirmed exclusive dating status and plan to keep their relationship private and grounded in reality.
Q: Did Iris ever reconnect with TJ Palma?
Yes—off-camera, Iris met with TJ for emotional closure, affirming her feelings in the villa and clarity in her new relationship with Pepe.
Q: What was Pepe’s profession before the show?
Pepe is an ex‑pro basketball player who played at Cal State Fullerton and briefly in Europe. He later founded a gym and works as a personal trainer
Read also: Bravo Alum Diamond Tankard Arrested in Walmart Assault: What Happened?