💔 Love Island USA Episode 28 Recap: Tears, Twists & Trust Issues
Aired: July 4, 2025
Grab your popcorn and a tissue — Episode 28 came in HOT.
🔥 Major Elimination & Voting Twist
America had the final say, and baby, they did not hold back.
After a public vote left six Islanders on the chopping block, it was up to the villa to save just one. Taylor Williams survived, thanks to Cierra and Nic putting their weight behind him. That meant a shocking five-pack elimination:
Andreina, Austin, Gracyn, Jaden, and fan-favorite TJ were sent packing — all in one swoop. This was the biggest elimination of the season, and trust us, the villa was shook.
💔 Emotional Farewells
Let’s talk about TJ Palma, because whew...
Before he left, he received a surprise message from Iris Kendall, delivered by OG queen Cely Vazquez. TJ broke down in tears, and fans online melted. Despite the heartbreak, TJ left on a hopeful note, expressing love and belief in their connection outside the villa. That’s the kind of energy we love.
🤝 Reassessments & Reconciliations
👩❤️👨 Chelley & Ace
After finding themselves consistently at the bottom of America's rankings, they finally had the “what’s going on with us?” talk. They admitted their vibe may not be translating on-screen, but both agreed to work on their connection. We'll see if they can bounce back.
💬 Zak & Amaya
After their emotional fallout, Zak and Amaya (aka "Amaya Papaya") sat down for a mature, heartfelt conversation. Apologies were exchanged. But the plot twist? Amaya admitted their relationship may now be leaning more into friendship. Still, despite all the ups and downs, America continues to ride hard for her — she’s one of the most trusted Islanders on the show right now.
👋 Chelley & Chris
Yes, she had another talk — this time with Chris. Chelley made it clear she’s still not over the Casa Amor betrayal, and the romantic door is now officially closed. Friends it is. (For now.)
🎯 The “Crashing Out” Challenge
This week’s challenge was messy — literally.
Islanders had to:
- Run through slime,
- Get pied in the face,
- Share kisses in a ball pit.
Highlights?
Bryan and Amaya shared a surprise kiss, teasing a possible spark.
Meanwhile, Chris helped Huda get through her fear of the slime course, showing fans a softer, more supportive side of himself.
✅ What Happens Now?
Let’s keep it real: five eliminations at once changes the whole game.
- New dynamics will form, and couples will either strengthen or fall apart.
- Cierra’s decision to save Taylor sparked debate — was it strategy, loyalty, or straight-up shade?
- Amaya’s fanbase is still strong AF, which means any Islander coming for her better tread lightly.
With fewer people left, everything's about to get way more intense — and way more messy.
📺 Don’t Miss Out
New episodes air every night (except Wednesdays) on Peacock at 9pm ET / 6pm PT.
Got thoughts on who should go next? Questions about your favorite couple? Drop them in the comments or follow me for the next recap. Because baby, Love Island is just heating up.
#LoveIslandUSA #Episode28Recap #AmayaPapaya #RealityTVTea #IslandDrama
