Amaya "Papaya" Espinal, the winner of Love Island USA season seven, has undergone emergency surgery and is currently recovering in a Los Angeles hospital. The 27-year-old reality star was reportedly rushed to hospital over the weekend suffering from severe abdominal pain.
ITV Sends Heartfelt Well Wishes
Following her operation, Espinal took to social media to update her followers from her hospital bed. In a poignant post, she shared a photograph revealing a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a handwritten note sent by the producers of the hit show.
The note read: "Your friends at ITV and Beyond the Villa are thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery." Espinal captioned the emotional snapshot simply with a series of heart and teary-eyed emojis.
A Recent Split and Upcoming All Stars Series
This health scare comes during a busy period for the star. She has recently been filming for a spin-off series of the popular dating programme. Her return to screens follows her confirmation in August that her romance with fellow season seven winner, Bryan Arenales, had ended.
The pair, who split a $100,000 prize after winning the competition, parted ways after leaving the villa. Espinal explained that their visions for the future did not align, stating their relationship was no longer a "team sport," but wished him well.
UK Fans Anticipate Love Island All Stars
As Espinal focuses on her recovery, UK viewers are preparing for the launch of Love Island: All Stars, set to begin in January from South Africa. Reports suggest former contestant Scott van-der-Sluis is poised for a return.
The 24-year-old footballer first appeared in the 2023 UK series, finishing in sixth place. He later had brief stints on both the US version and the Love Island Games spin-off. His potential comeback offers him another chance to find love on the iconic show.
Fans of the franchise are now sending their own well-wishes to Amaya Espinal, hoping for a swift and full recovery for the reality TV favourite.
