Latest news with #TJPalma
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Love Island USA' Star TJ Palma Has Been Trauma Bonding With Dumped Islander Charlie Georgiou Over Pepe Garcia Taking Their Girls: 'I Am Heartbroken'
Love Island USA Season 7 has split up countless genuine connections, including TJ Palma and Iris Kendall. Palma, who Megan Thee Stallion introduced in Episode 15, was dumped from the villa after the majority of the Islanders chose to save Taylor Williams in Episode 27, ultimately breaking up his and Kendall's budding relationship. In the time that's passed since Palma's unfortunate departure, Kendall has coupled up (and possibly been intimate) with her fellow bombshell Pepe Garcia. While Palma described Garcia as an 'older brother' to him, he said he had 'nothing against' the pro basketball player for romancing his former love interest. 'That's what the Love Island experience is at the end of the day,' Palma told Decider over a recent Zoom interview. 'If he were there just being friends with someone and not trying to explore it and see what happens, he would be doing himself a disservice.' Palma, fortunately, hasn't had to cope alone. Charlie Georgiou, who was dumped from the island in Episode 12 (before Palma was brought in as a bombshell), had to watch Hannah Fields move on with Garcia before she was eventually sent home in Episode 18. The two men were recently able to connect (and possibly trauma bond) when they met up in Los Angeles. 'We went through similar experiences,' Palma said. '[Georgiou] was just trying to help me understand how he got through his experience, because he was heartbroken. I am heartbroken. It's a tough situation.' When we caught up with Palma, he also revealed how he really felt about Huda Mustafa, which couple he wants to win the show, and what it was like camping out with Kendall in Soul Ties. Check out the full interview below. DECIDER: I'm so excited to talk to you about your experience on . What was it like to have Megan Thee Stallion introduce you as a bombshell? TJ PALMA: It was super nerve-wracking. I didn't find out I was walking in with Meg until a few hours before and I think that really put it into perspective. You can't see in the episode, but my legs were shaking. That whole night was very nerve-wracking to me, but I'm happy it worked out. I think it was probably the best entrance that could have happened. The girls were very quickly whisked off to Casa Amor after you arrived – and you caught some heat for giving the new girls very low rankings on their kisses. Ariana Madix even gave you a little shade after that challenge. What was your reaction to that? At the moment, I didn't think anything of it, so I'm glad I get to clear the air right now. I feel like there are two main reasons why I did that and one's more obvious than the other. The first one that's not obvious is that I just came in as a bombshell and I'm just getting to know these guys and I didn't want to step on their toes and rate all their girls tens. That was a big thing for me. Also, I wanted Iris to feel special when she came around and give her the 10. I know her lips, I know how she kisses and whatnot, and I wanted her to feel good. I was waiting for her, and then obviously it wasn't the OG girls, so it looked really bad. I didn't watch it back, but from what I'm hearing, it looks a lot worse than it actually was. At what point did you realize it wasn't the OGs? Was it really not until you took off the blindfold? I had an idea. I thought they were switching it up. I thought maybe the first girl was new and the second girl was somebody else. I was just really confused. Pepe was next to me and we were talking. I was like, 'Yo, was that this person?' He was like, 'Yeah.' I think we all had it messed up. But I didn't really know until I took the blindfold off. It eventually got to the last girl – we only did five, I believe, and there were six girls – and I was like, 'Wait, this is totally not right.' And I didn't feel Iris so I was like, 'Yeah, this is not right.' Right when I took the blindfold off, I kind of knew. You and Iris found your way back to each other when Casa Amor rejoined the villa. What can you say about the few days you got to spend with her before going home? In those few days before Casa, we spent a lot of time together and we really got to know each other. I know she was in a tough situation with the whole Jeremiah and Huda thing. She was kind of in the middle of that. She was waiting for someone to come in that she was interested in. She was put through the ringer and she's had a crazy, wild experience. But those few days told me a lot and I think from the jump I told her how much I adore the way she carries herself and the way she talks and gives advice and how mature she is. I was like, 'Yeah, this is someone that I want to keep pursuing this connection with.' Going through Casa, it just showed me that I would be doing myself a disservice if I just played the game and went with Vanna and stayed safe. Unlike some of your fellow Islanders, you and Iris decided to camp out at Soul Ties one night. What are your thoughts on all the escapades that went on in the villa at night? And why did you and Iris decide to take yours elsewhere? I don't know. I feel like there's a lot that goes on in that bedroom, a lot of noises and stuff. I think I'm a decently heavy sleeper, so I didn't really hear much. But I know every morning we would wake up and someone would be like, 'Oh, yeah. We heard that,' or little remarks and stuff. But me and Iris wanted to sleep in Soul Ties, regardless. We've always thought it would be cool because they shut the lights off and it turns all blue and you can see the stars. It was just a sick experience. So I'm glad we did that. But it was hot as hell, I'm not going to lie. Was it buggy? I feel like last season they were saying there were mosquitoes. When Ace used to sleep in Soul Ties, he sprayed bug spray on all the pillows. We totally forgot to do that so my leg got bit up. I had my legs out because it was so hot. At night it was OK, but in the morning it was really hot and the sun was shining. So yeah, it wasn't the best sleep, but it was a cool experience. At first, a lot of people were shipping Pepe and Iris as a friendship couple so they could each come back to you and Hannah. But now things seem to have gotten a bit more serious. What are your thoughts on that, especially since you've said you and Pepe were so close in the villa? Yeah, Pepe was like my older brother in there, I'm not gonna lie. I feel like me and him hit it off because we both came in as bombshells and we had similar experiences walking into this new group of people. We had the same values and outlook on life. We just hit it off. But I'm not surprised, to be honest. I have nothing against him at all whatsoever, and I would never talk bad about him. That's what the Love Island experience is at the end of the day. I feel like if he were there just being friends with someone and not trying to explore it and see what happens, he would be doing himself a disservice. I don't want that for him because at the end of the day, he's not in there for me, he's in there for himself. If he wants to pursue somebody, he can. I think testing connections and figuring out what you want and what you don't want in there is totally acceptable. So, I'm OK with it. I saw you and Charlie made a TikTok together, where you guys were trauma bonding over Pepe taking both of your girls. How have you guys been able to be there for each other? I'm staying with Charlie and Austin right now in LA. They're actually upstairs. I just met Charlie for the first time, and I feel like there's a little truth to that TikTok. We went through similar experiences. So he was just trying to help me understand how he got through his experience, because he was heartbroken. I am heartbroken. It's a tough situation, but I feel like my coping mechanism is to laugh it off and make funny TikToks like that. Do you have any plans to reach out to Iris after she leaves the villa? I think the best thing is to have a conversation about everything and just see. You don't know everything that goes on. Obviously, there's a lot that I saw on the screen, but there's a lot you don't see, so you never know. I would just rather hear it from her than have people in my comments making their own judgment and saying what happened. I think I would definitely like to have a conversation with her about it. Speaking of TikTok, I saw you did a ranking of the Islanders. Why did you put Taylor at the bottom? I think he was last to show up and that was the only spot, but I love Taylor and I thought that him and Clarke were really gonna take it to the end. It was super sad to see them leave the other night, especially after just closing off and everything. I have mad love for Taylor. That was my guy. We'd always throw the football, and we'd throw it for hours, so I have a lot of love for him. Like you said, we saw Taylor and Clarke go home the other night. Which couple do you think will be next to go? My prediction was, that night, Ace and Chelley or Taylor and Clarke. I feel like America has their opinions on Ace and Chelley and it's not the greatest opinion. So I feel like they would probably get sent home next. Do I think they deserve it? No. I feel like they're very strong. They've been through a lot and I have a ton of respect for both of them. I would hate to see them going home. I'd hate to see anybody going home, but if I had to pick I would probably say them. At one point, Huda was showing interest in you. What did you think of her? Obviously, I watched the episodes before coming in and I'm not gonna lie, I was scared shitless of Huda. I was like, 'I don't know how to handle this.' When I got in there, she was so sweet and super nice. I was like, 'Is this the same Huda that we're talking to?' We had a good conversation. She has her own online business, and I'm kind of similar. We shared a lot of experiences. It didn't work out romantically, but it was good getting to know her, and I feel like she has a good heart and she means well. Now that you have your phone back and you've seen the comments from the public and your fellow Islanders who have already been dumped, are there any misconceptions you'd like to clear up about yourself or your time on the show? I think that a lot of people thought I was sending shots at Vanna in one of our conversations about the resting bitch face. That was not the case at all. There's a lot to that conversation and that relationship that they didn't show. I feel like if they showed it, it would make more sense. I was just annoyed, so that's why you can see me mad and angry. Obviously, the kissing challenge, the ratings, which I kind of spoke about. I'm trying to think if there was anything else. Besides that, they didn't really show much of me so there's not much to like … You got to fly under the radar a little bit. Yeah, which is a good thing and a bad thing. I feel like I was just not involved in the drama and I was unproblematic, so I think that had to do with it. At the end of the day, what are you gonna do? But I'm happy for the experience and it worked out. Who are you voting for to win the whole show? To be honest, I don't have the app. I haven't been voting. But I think that Amaya and Bryan will probably take it home. I think they've been hitting it off and going really strong. The Islanders in there even see it. They sent them to The Hideaway. I'm just happy for them. They're both great people. And Amaya's a little sensitive gangster. I love her and she's sick. I support them and I think they'll probably take it home. You teased in a recent TikTok that the reunion is about to 'go crazy.' What is one thing you're hoping to address? Oh, shit. I didn't get the chance to understand why people voted the way they voted when I got dumped. In that moment, I wasn't thinking, it didn't feel real, and I wasn't expecting it, so I didn't have that opportunity to ask people why [or what the decision-making process was behind their vote]. I feel like that's something I would ask, but I'm not too stressed about it, to be honest. Everything happens for a reason, and I'm super glad that I came out when I came out. It's been nothing but love. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. New episodes of Love Island USA air every night (except Wednesday) at 9/8c on Peacock.
Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Love Island USA Season 7: TJ Palma's elimination sparks outrage as fans call show ‘loveless'
Love Island USA Season 7 just hit a nerve with fans. The recent elimination shook things up in the worst way, at least if you ask the viewers. This time, it is not just about losing a contestant. It is about losing what many thought was a solid connection. The Islanders sent TJ Palma home. Yes, the same participants who had been locking in with Iris Kendall. Fans were rooting for them. They were growing closer with every episode. And suddenly, he is out. Love Island USA Season 7: TJ Palma has been eliminated (Instagram/ TJ Palma) Love Island USA viewers are not thrilled. Jeremiah Brown was previously sent packing, even though things were just starting with Andreina Santos. Now with TJ gone, fans feel like love is being pushed out of the villa on purpose. Here's how internet reacted to TJ Palma's exit: Let's take a look at the internet's reaction. One viewer posted, 'I honestly wish they saved TJ. I knew him and Iris were a perfect match the minute he walked in and they were great together. White America, why did you fail them? Now the island really is loveless.' Another said, 'At this point I am just watching Love Island USA for the drama like they really sent TJ home with the connection he had with Iris like they're all cooked in terms of finding love this season.' One more fan chimed in, 'TJ should have been saved tonight I'm so sorry. He and Iris are boring but the connection was genuine and I could see them lasting outside the villa . We kinda ruined this season as toxic viewers.' 'Why is everyone eliminating good couples. TJ has never been on my radar but I believe he should've stayed. They're basically eliminating through competition,' read a post. About Love Island USA Season 7 Love Island USA Season 7, which premiered on June 3, is hosted by Ariana Madix. New episodes stream daily (except Wednesdays) on Peacock at 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET. The finale? Coming up Sunday, July 13. ALSO READ: Love Island USA tonight: Who got sent home, dumped on July 3, and what is the new couple? FAQs: Q: Who got eliminated from Love Island USA Season 7 recently? TJ Palma was eliminated. Q: What happened with TJ Palma and Iris Kendall on Love Island USA? TJ and Iris were developing a bond, but TJ was sent home. Q: Where can I watch Love Island USA Season 7? You can watch it on Peacock, with new episodes airing daily except Wednesdays. Q: When is the Love Island USA Season 7 finale? The finale is expected to air on Sunday, July 13.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Love Island USA's Cierra Subtly Used the Code Word for Sex to Discuss 40-Second Encounter With Nic
Love Island USA's Cierra Ortega discussed her sex life with Nic Vansteenberghe by using the villa's code word — but did you catch the conversation? During the Sunday, June 29, episode of the hit Peacock series, Cierra, 25, and Iris Kendall sat down for a chat about having their beds next to each other following the Casa Amor recoupling. 'Did you hear me taking my journey?' Cierra asked Iris, 25, who is paired up with TJ Palma. 'Well the journey was much longer this time than the first time.' Cierra teased her encounter with Nic, 24, adding, 'And we stopped for food on the way. Hotdogs and hamburgers were ordered. We both had a full course meal. Once we finished eating we ended at a waterfall. It was beautiful.' Who Runs Social Media Accounts for 'Love Island USA' Season 7 Stars While They Are in the Villa? Meanwhile over at the other side of the villa, Nic was telling Ace Greene and Taylor Williams about the 'best 40 seconds ever.' He admitted it 'was still subpar' as his last sexual experience with Cierra earlier this season only lasted 25 seconds (which he upped to 30 seconds in later conversations). While Cierra and Nic didn't use the word sex, eagle-eyed viewers who read Us Weekly know that 'journey' has another meaning for the Islanders. Hannah Fields, who was dumped earlier this season, recently revealed exclusively to Us how the Islanders find subtle ways to discuss intimate details about their personal lives. "We had a code name for intimacy,' Hannah, 23, shared. 'We would say, 'How was your journey? What was this journey like?' Huda [started it when she] said something like, 'Oh, I had a journey. My journey went all the way.'' Hannah acknowledged how her own 'journey' with Pepe Garcia played out in a now-viral moment. 'Love Island USA' Couples Status Check: Who's Still Together, Who Broke Up After Leaving the Villa? "We had not slept in, like, 24 hours. It had been three hours after we went to bed,' she told Us of the clip. 'You kind of forget that you're on camera. I literally always forgot that I was being recorded and it would dawn on me because I'd just see a camera and I'd be like, 'Oh s*** I'm being recorded.' I really didn't think I remembered until the next day. I was like, 'Just don't talk about it. Nobody's gonna know. Nobody's gonna know what happened.' I sit in the bathroom, like, 'Do you think they caught that? ... No.' So when I watched the episode, I'm like, 'Oh, I couldn't have been less discreet.'" In addition to Nic and Cierra — and Hannah and Pepe — there were also some obvious 'journeys' between Huda Mustafa and Jeremiah Brown before his exit. The rest of the couples have yet to address their 'journeys' ahead of the season 7 finale expected later this month. New episodes of Love Island USA drop every day — but Wednesday — on Peacock at 9 p.m. ET.
Hindustan Times
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
What is Casa Amor on Love Island USA 7? Full list of 11 new contestants
The seasonal yet steamiest twist of Love Island USA Season 7 is here. Casa Amor is a ritual for the Fiji islanders to get to meet new faces regardless of whether or not they've already found someone. As a part of this, the islanders are divided into two groups and are sent to live in a temporary villa while the other group continues at the main accommodation. New bombshells and temptations are introduced to this thirst trap to test each player's loyalty. Casa Amor is a ritual for the Fiji islanders to get to meet new faces.(X) The show has introduced a few twists this season to make Casa Amor even more engaging. As announced by host Ariana Matix, all current relationships have been put on hold and as of Episode 19 all contestants are now considered to be single. Over the one-week course of Casa Amor, contestants will get to interact with new faces and be asked at the end of the week if they wish to continue with their original match or let new love blossom instead. In addition, the new bombshells introduced as part of this twist will continue to stay in the villa rather than leaving regardless of whether or not they were able to find a partner. These new bombshells were introduced to the existing ones via a blindfolded kissing game. They were allowed to pick a match from existing players and as of now, TJ Palma and Amaya Espinal haven't been picked by anyone which gives them a week's time to find new love or get dumped off the island. Here are the eleven new bombshells being brought in to turn up the heat: Chris Seeley Age: 27 years Hometown: Fresno, California Coupled with: Chelley Bissainthe Elan Bibas Hometown: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada Coupled with: Cierra Ortega JD Dodard Age: 23 years Hometown: Dallas, Texas Coupled with: Huda Mustafa Bryan Arenales Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts Coupled with: Andreina Santos Zak Srakew Age: 30 years Hometown: Roi Et, Thailand and Manchester, UK Coupled with: Olandria Carthen Zac Woodworth Age: 26 years Hometown: Portland, Utah Coupled with: Iris Kendall Savanna 'Vanna' Einerson Age: 21 years Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah Coupled with: Ace Greene Jaden Duggar Age: 25 years Hometown: Los Angeles, California Coupled with: Austin Shepard Clarke Carraway Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina Coupled with: Nic Vansteenberghe Gracyn Blackmore Age: 25 years Hometown: Bristol, Virginia Coupled with: Pepe Garcia Courtney 'Coco' Watson Age: 24 years Hometown: Los Angeles, California Coupled with: Taylor Williams New episodes of the show are released every day on Peacock at 9 PM ET, except for Wednesdays.
Mint
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Love Island USA forces first-ever full recoupling in shocking Casa Amor twist
Love Island USA has dropped a bombshell: for the first time ever, all the girls leaving for Casa Amor must return with a new partner – with no option to stay loyal. Host Ariana Madix announced the change, saying, 'For the first time ever,' the rules are different. This twist brings in an extra guy and girl, meaning one original islander will be dumped if they fail to form a connection. Currently, TJ Palma and Amaya Espinal are on thin ice, with just 24 hours to recouple. Viewers took to Instagram and X to express their dismay. One wrote, 'Just when you thought they couldn't mess things up more – they change the point of Casa Amor!' Another asked, 'Why change something that is already so good?' This season starts differently. Instead of splitting the villa evenly, the girls head to Casa Amor first. There, they must recouple with one of eleven newcomers, six boys and five girls, who've just entered the game. Inside Casa Amor, Ariana gave viewers a tour. The revamped villa features a glam room, fire pit, outdoor daybeds, and even a secret 'steamy hookup den' hidden behind a rotating door. The aim? Increase temptation. Ariana teased the new setup will 'encourage flirtation and temptation,' adding, 'only thing brighter than these pillows will be the sparkle in the eye of a hot new bombshell.' Fans are split. Some hate the shake-up. One X user called the twist 'lame,' writing, 'Forcing couplings is going to make people move inauthentically due to fear of being sent home.' Another pointed out, 'They're trying too hard to force drama.' Others are curious. One wrote, 'I can't decide if I like this twist or not yet.' This season's Casa Amor is the most radical ever. Every girl must recouple; one original islander will be dumped, and the villa has been transformed into a playground of temptation. Whether this brings fresh drama – or ruins the show's essence – remains to be seen as the chaos unfolds in the episodes ahead. Ariana Madix revealed it during a host segment in the villa. Single minglers TJ Palma and Amaya Espinal now risk elimination if they don't find new partners within 24 hours. Eleven new ones – six men and five women – have entered to stir the pot. The twist kicked off in the latest episodes, airing June 23–24.
