Huda Mustafa, a 24-year-old fitness coach from Raleigh and a 2018 graduate of East Chapel Hill High School, emerged as one of the most talked-about contestants on Love Island USA season 7, which concluded its finale on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Though she did not win the $100,000 prize, Mustafa’s journey on the show was marked by viral moments, intense drama, and a record-breaking social media following.
Love Island USA, the American adaptation of the British reality dating competition, places young singles in a lavish villa in Fiji, where they form and dissolve couples over six weeks. The couples’ fates are partly determined by viewer votes, with those left single at risk of elimination. The winning couple is chosen by the public and awarded $100,000.
Mustafa’s time on the island was notable from the start. She revealed to viewers that she is a single mother but chose to keep this fact hidden from the male contestants initially. This decision sparked several viral clips, including a now-famous moment where she tried to confess to Nic Vansteenberghe that she was a mother, only for him to repeatedly misunderstand her phrase, "I'm a mommy." Another meme that captured viewers’ imaginations was her description of a date as simply "sitting on the beach," which she dubbed her "dream date," inspiring countless playful online remixes.
Despite the drama, Mustafa advanced all the way to the finale, paired with contestant Chris Seeley. Together, they made Love Island history by becoming the first couple to break up on camera during the finale episode. Their rocky relationship was a focal point of the season, highlighted by emotional outbursts, tense confrontations, and moments of vulnerability.
According to insiders who spoke exclusively to The U.S. Sun, the breakup led to a dramatic scene where Mustafa and Seeley attempted to leave the villa before the finale results were announced. “They wanted to leave, but we had to force them to stay and to attend the results no matter what,” a production source said. “They have a contract, they can’t do whatever they want and just leave like that.” The source described their fight as "very bad," with Chris storming off and Huda left alone in the room.
The argument reportedly began when Chris refused to cuddle with Huda, who counted down from three, hoping he would change his mind. Chris felt that Huda was trying to control everything, leading to heightened tensions and his eventual loss of temper. Another production source criticized their behavior as "unacceptable and selfish," lamenting that it "ruined part of the finale." Despite their differences, both were contractually obligated to remain for the finale’s conclusion.
Their relationship had begun in Casa Amor, a twist in the villa where new contestants are introduced. Huda had recently split from Jeremiah Brown, with whom she also had a tumultuous dynamic. Early on, Huda and Jeremiah’s connection drew attention for its volatility, with Huda’s fiery outbursts earning her the nickname "hurricane Huda" among viewers. She was known for curse-filled rants and emotional breakdowns, prompting producers to almost remove her from the show for her well-being. A specialist was brought in to assess her, and ultimately, she was allowed to continue, with the hope that she would learn to manage her emotions more constructively.
Her relationship with Chris was similarly fraught. Tensions arose from everyday moments, such as Chris putting more effort into making breakfast for another contestant, Chelley Bissainthe, than for Huda. During a "Parents Challenge" involving baby dolls, Chris took issue with Huda’s "bossy" tone, which further strained their bond. In the finale’s pillow fight, a playful moment turned sour when Chris accidentally hit Huda in the nose with a pillow. Having undergone rhinoplasty just weeks before filming, Huda returned to the room with a bandage, highlighting the physical and emotional toll of the experience.
Despite these challenges, the couple shared a romantic candlelit dinner on a platform over the water, serenaded by a performer. Huda candidly acknowledged the chemistry between them but also recognized their issues, stating, "There's chemistry, but then there's also things that we need to work on. I think we need to address those things so that we don't have animosity towards one another." Chris expressed frustration over Huda’s lack of public affection and her tone, saying, "That makes me feel like I'm a little kid. I'm a grown-a** man." The conversation ended with Huda suggesting they remain friends, citing concerns about their long-distance future.
Outside the villa, Huda’s impact has been undeniable. Despite finishing third, she has become the most followed contestant from season 7, amassing 2.6 million Instagram followers and a staggering 4 million TikTok followers, with 1.3 million gained in just one week after the finale, according to Love Island Numbers. This surge positions her for potential major brand deals, with speculation about collaborations with prominent beauty and fashion companies. Her dynamic personality and strong presence could help her rebrand herself as a powerful influencer, moving beyond her "villain" label toward a more nuanced public image.
Huda’s journey resonated with fans who appreciated her authenticity and willingness to take accountability for her actions. Despite the controversy, many viewers saw her as the most genuine Islander, drawn to her fearless confrontations and emotional honesty. This connection has translated into a loyal and growing fan base eager to follow her post-show endeavors.
The season’s winners, Amaya "Papaya" Espinal and Bryan Arenales, were crowned in the finale after a season filled with drama, recouplings, and unexpected twists—including the early exits of strong contenders Chelley Bissainthe and Ace Greene. Fan favorites Olandria Carthen and Nicolas Vansteenberghe finished second, while Iris Kendall and Pepe Garcia placed fourth.
Looking ahead, Love Island USA season 7 fans can anticipate the reunion special airing on Monday, August 25, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock. The reunion will bring back the season’s winners, finalists, and notable bombshells for an intimate look back at their villa experiences and updates on their lives since filming ended. This year’s reunion will be cohosted by Ariana Madix, who hosted seasons 6 and 7, and Andy Cohen, marking Cohen’s first appearance on the franchise.
Madix reflected on the season’s challenges during a July 12 episode of Aftersun, acknowledging, "It’s been a really tough season for a lot of reasons," and expressing gratitude for the Islanders who opened up about their struggles. The reunion is expected to revisit major plot points, including controversies, eliminations, and the unexpected exits of contestants Yulissa Escobar and Cierra Ortega, who were removed early due to resurfaced social media posts.
Madix also urged fans to treat Islanders with kindness, reminding viewers not to engage in harassment or doxxing, emphasizing, "We should be thanking each one of these islanders." The reunion promises to provide closure and insight, allowing fans to see how relationships have evolved and how the cast members reflect on their transformative time in the villa.
From viral memes to emotional confrontations, Huda Mustafa’s season on Love Island USA was anything but dull. Her story captures the highs and lows of reality TV fame, the complexities of modern relationships, and the power of social media in shaping public perception. As the islanders reunite and the dust settles, one thing is clear: Huda’s impact on the season and her growing influence beyond the villa are undeniable.
