“I got a text!” The much-anticipated Love Island USA season 8 cast reveal is here! And if you don’t know why phrases like “I got a text,” “a hot new bombshell has entered the villa” and “Casa Amor” are now a part of the cultural zeitgeist, keep reading because we’re breaking down everything you need to know about the hit reality TV show that returns to Peacock on Tuesday, June 2 at 6 p.m. PT.
Jump to: What to know about watching Love Island USA
But first, let’s start with the cast announcement. 12 new islanders are headed to Fiji for the summer, hoping to find love, two of whom come from Southern California. Bryce Dettloff and Melanie Moreno both call Los Angeles their home. Dettloff is a DJ who also does handyman work. Moreno is a manager at a bikini store who, when asked which bikini style matches her dating life, said “the ones in the damaged bin.”
Other California contestants include Beatriz Hatz from San Diego and KC Chandler from Fresno. Chandler is a nursing assistant.
Hatz is a professional athlete who shares that she was born with a rare birth defect. Hatz is also notably a Team USA Paralympic athlete for Track & Field. She competed in both the Paralympic Games 2020 in Tokyo in 2021 as well as the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, where she won the bronze medal for the Women’s Long Jump T64. She describes her type as “tall, dark and handsome.”
The eight other contestants that will be joining them day one in the villa are: Aniya Harvey from Tyrone, Georgia; Gabriel Vasconcelos from Miami, Florida; Kenzie Annis from Kennesaw, Georgia; Sean Reifel from Easton, Pennsylvania; Sincere Rhea from Cape May, New Jersey; Trinity Tatum from Newport News, Virginia; Vasana Montgomery from Beaverton, Oregon and Zach Georgiou from Birmingham, England.
Georgiou might ring a bell to some viewers as he is the brother of Love Island USA season 7 and Love Island: Beyond the Villa season 2 cast member Charlie Georgiou.
Love Island USA season 8 premieres on Tuesday, June 2, at 6 p.m. PT. where viewers will not only get to learn more about the new islanders, but will likely see the return of the popular cast music video, which could also become the song of the summer.
The popular opening gimmick operates as opening credits with the cast lip-syncing to a pop song. Season 6’s cast performed to “Came Here for Love” by Sigala and Ella Eyre, and Season 7 danced along to “Make Me Feel” by Janelle Monáe, specifically the EDX Dubai Skyline Remix. The opening credits have also led to some viral social media recreations. In 2024, fans of the show began recreating contestant Kordell Beckham’s iconic moment of spinning in a circle with a suitcase in hand. Likewise, in 2025 contestant Huda Mustafa’s shimmy became a popular dance move that fans posted themselves doing on social.
What to know about watching Love Island USA
What is it?
Love Island USA is a reality TV dating show. It’s a spinoff of Love Island, which first aired in the U.K. in 2015. Unlike other reality TV shows that are filmed months in advance and then edited and aired after, the Love Island franchise is filmed, edited and airs in real time, with only a day or two delay between what’s filmed and when it airs.
Because of this, viewers also get to vote for contestants they want to keep in the show, protecting them from being “dumped” from the Island. Last summer also introduced the first time fans didn’t just vote for who they wanted to keep in Fiji, but also viewers got to select which bombshells, aka the new contestants, they wanted to be coupled up with the original islanders.
Where does it film?
The Love Island USA villa is located in Fiji. It’s said that filming takes place not too far from where the CBS reality TV series Survivor is based.
When it airs?
Love Island USA airs beginning Tuesday, June 2, at 6 p.m. PT. New episodes are released Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. The episodes also air typically a day or two after the events take place.
Saturday’s episode is different from the weekday episodes as it’s a talk show-like format called Aftersun.
How does voting work?
Voting takes place in the Love Island USA app. Voting doesn’t take place after every episode, but it’s typically announced if it’s happening in advance. The voting period typically opens an hour or two after the episode drops. The voting period is typically 2 and a half hours long and closes at 9:30 p.m. PT. Voting is only available in the United States, with results airing in the episode a couple of days later.
What’s the prize?
After the country votes on the winning couple, they are handed two envelopes, one for $0 and the other for $100,000. It’s then up to whoever receives the envelope with the $100,000 if they want to split the money with their partner or keep it all for themselves. So far, every couple has split the prize.
However, one could argue that the bigger prize comes in the social media following and the brand deals that follow. Popular runner-ups, Olandria Carthen and Nic Vansteenberghe, aka Nicolandria, might not have officially won the series, but were arguably two of the biggest winners that season. Vansteenberghe, a male model, recognized that modeling was also one of Carthen’s goals and set her up with modeling gigs and advice after leaving Fiji. The couple has also been able to pursue their own goals, with Vansteenberghe becoming a DJ and Carthen making her “Sports Illustrated Swimsuit” debut this year.
Who is the host?
Ariana Madix returns to host the popular dating show. Madix took over hosting duties in 2024. Before that, the show was hosted by “Modern Family’s” Sarah Hyland for seasons 4 and 5 after it moved from CBS to Peacock, and Arielle Vandenberg for the first three seasons.
Madix is no stranger to reality TV, starring on Bravo’s “Vanderpump Rules” for over a decade until 2024. She’s also been a long-time fan of the Love Island franchise, even making a special guest appearance during season 5 in 2023. Additionally, Madix also placed in third of season 32 of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” where she was paired with Pro Pasha Pashkov. Shortly after she starred on Broadway in “Chicago” as Roxie Hart, a role that has been known to feature other notable reality TV stars, including fellow “Dancing with the Stars” alumna and “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Whitney Leavitt.
Fans of Madix will also be thrilled to know that starting Friday, May 29, Peacock subscribers will have the option to choose Madix as their Peacock avatar on the streaming service.
Who is the narrator?
Comedian Iain Stirling has been the narrator of Love Island USA since 2022, when the show made its switch to Peacock in 2022. He has hosted the original Love Island franchise since the beginning. His cheeky comments have become fan favorites among viewers as well as his “unseen bits” recaps of moments that didn’t make that week’s episode, which air during Aftersun.
- Also see: Love Island’s Iain Stirling reflects on the hit reality TV show that’s taking over the country
What is Aftersun?
Aftersun is a weekly recap talk show that airs as Saturday’s episode of Love Island USA. Previously, the show has been hosted by former Love Island contestant Maura Higgins, who rose to fame as a finalist in the fifth series of the ITV2 reality series in 2019. Higgins was also recently a finalist of the Traitors US along with Love Island USA season 6 contestant Rob Rausch.
This year, Aftersun has two new hosts, Ciara Miller and Tefi Pessoa. Miller is best known from Bravo’s “Summer House,” which she joined during season 5 in 2021. Since then, she’s become a fan favorite, appearing on shows such as the Traitors US in 2025 and hosting numerous red carpet interviews. Most recently, she was a special correspondent and panelist for E! News’ Met Gala 2026 coverage.
Pessoa is a popular media personality and content creator. Pessoa rose to fame on TikTok largely in part to her pop culture commentary. She was on TIME100 Creators list and ranked #14 on Rolling Stone’s “25 Most Influential Creators” list.
Why is Love Island USA popular?
The original series took off in popularity during season 5 in 2019, turning cast members such as Higgins, Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury into household names. However, the USA spinoff didn’t see that level of success until season 6 in 2024, which shocked the cast as they exited the villa of their newfound fame and popularity. Season 6 was popular for a few viral moments, including Andrea Carmona’s shocking elimination, the decision made by her fellow contestants, as well as the aftermath that followed between Kaylor Martin and Aaron Evans after Casa Amor. The couples and connections that formed also became beloved by viewers, especially for the reunion of Serena Page and Kordell Beckham, who ultimately won that season.
The cast was also so beloved by viewers that Peacock developed a spinoff series, “Love Island: Beyond the Villa,” which featured some of the main islanders from season 6 as they navigated their new fame and spent time together in Los Angeles.
Because of season 6’s success, more people were interested in watching season 7. That led to even more online discourse and fun moments becoming memes, such as Mustafa and Vansteenberghe’s “Mama? Mamacita.” moment and Amaya “Papaya” Espinal’s “I never said I was perfect” song. Megan Thee Stallion, a fan of the series, also made a surprise appearance on the show to debut her new Hot Girl Summer swim line.
Are any of the couples still together?
Yes! Love Island USA season 5 winners Hannah Wright and Marco Donatelli are not only still together but are engaged, becoming the first in the U.S. version of the show to do so.
Also from that season, Carsten “Bergie” Bergersen and Taylor Smith just recently announced their engagement.
Season 6 winners Serena Page and Kordell Beckham are still together, and just shared their excitement over being mentioned on the Amazon Prime series “The Boys.”
Runner-ups from season 6, Leah Kateb and Miguel Harichi, are also still together, with Harichi moving from the U.K. to L.A. to live with Kateb.
And while not a romantic relationship, fan favorites “PPG,” aka the friendship trio of Page, Kateb and JaNa Craig is still thriving.
Breaking down the lingo, catchphrases and other terms on the series:
Islanders:
Since the show is called “Love Island,” the contestants who enter the villa are referred to as “Islanders.” You’ll often hear the host refer to them as such in group settings.
Recoupling ceremonies:
This is when contestants “couple up” at the fire pit. It switches between whether the girls or the guys are picking their pair. If an Islander isn’t chosen, this often means that they have been dumped from the island.
Challenges:
The challenges often don’t have as much of a reward for the contestants as they are used to creating drama, sharing opinions and letting the islanders see if they have other chemistry with someone they aren’t coupled up with in a more harmless way. Two of the most notable challenges are “Snog, Marry, Pie,” where Islanders reveal who they want to kiss, marry and pie in the face; and then the infamous “Heart Rate Challenge” where Islanders get dressed up and perform for the other Islanders in the hopes of, well, getting their heart rate going.
Casa Amor:
A fan favorite twist that usually takes place mid-season. The male and female Islanders are split up for a week, with half being sent to a whole other villa as new contestants are brought in, aiming to couple up the Islanders. Last year, the girls were sent to Casa Amor, which led to a psych out moment where the contestants – and viewers for that matter – thought fan favorites Carthen and Vansteenberghe had been sent home early, plot twist: they were fine, and it led to their first date together.
Movie Night:
Viewers at home often find themselves frustrated that Islanders aren’t always aware of the drama and things that have been said about them when they’re not around. Movie night is a chance for the Islanders to gather together to witness some of the major moments and own up and apologize. Sometimes it also leads to rehashing issues from the past as new evidence comes to light. Either way, get your popcorn ready.
This one will be new to viewers who only started watching during season 7, as it took a season off last year.
“I’ve got a text!”
While the Islander’s won’t have their own phones with them in the villa, they do have access to flip phones with limited abilities, such as taking photos and videos of themselves that the Love Island USA team often shares with viewers on social and in the app, as well as receiving texts from producers. When the Islanders receive a text, they’re told to announce it so the other Islanders know the information, starting with “I’ve got a text” before they share the contents of the message out loud. These are often updates on dates, challenges, recoupling ceremonies and new contestants arriving.
“A hot new bombshell has entered the villa.”
Likely one of the most iconic lines from the series, often said as a voiceover by Stirling, this line lets the audience know when new contestants are arriving at the villa to shake things up.
“Closed off.”
This is what Islanders say to one another about whether or not they’re exclusive with another person. They’ll also say “I’m open” if they want to get to know another Islander, while in a couple with someone else.
“Soul Ties is crazy.”
You’ll notice throughout the villa that there are neon signs designating different areas of the villa. Above a daybed on the second floor is a sign labeled “Soul Ties.” The area is typically used for couples who are trying to get away from the other Islanders to have intimate conversations. In season 5, contestant Kay Kay Gray turned the sign into a catch phrase after seeing footage of her partner in the area with another woman during Casa Amor.
Love Island USA season 8 premieres on Tuesday, June 2, at 6 p.m. PT. For more information about Love Island USA, visit peacocktv.com/stream-tv/love-island