Amaya Espinal, also known as Amaya Papaya, is an innovative reality TV personality and a registered nurse who found her fame in Love Island USA Season 7. She has that powerful presence, her warmth, and the ability to be herself without apology, which made her a fast favorite during the summer.
Her path of becoming a reality sensation and eventual winner after being an NYC nurse reflects an interesting combination of charisma, resilience, and cultural pride. Amaya is still defining her emerging media platform today, but she remains close to her service and representation roots.
Amaya Espinal Biography | |
|---|---|
| Real Name: | Amaya Elizabeth Espinal |
| Birth Date: | November 9, 1999 |
| Age: | 26 Years |
| Birthplace: | New York City, USA |
| Height: | 1.52 m (5 ft 0 in) |
| Boyfriend | Bryan Arenales |
Early Life
Amaya Espinal was born on the 9th of November 1999, in New York City, to a Dominican-American family. Having been brought up in a culturally rich family with a mother who speaks two languages, she has been brought up with high values on resilience and self-expression.
Amaya studied at Midwood High School, where she demonstrated a strong interest in healthcare and leadership. She subsequently attended nursing school at Long Island University, Brooklyn, where she juggled school and a part-time job with community service.
Amaya Espinal is a licensed cardiac nurse, a profession she was proud of before her television fame, and she officially became one in December 2021. Her childhood was characterized by the need to assist others and the strong feeling of independence. People who know her best call her compassionate, driven, and grounded, which would ultimately endear her to viewers on reality television.
Amaya Espinal Career
Amaya Espinal started her career in a packed cardiac unit only a few months after obtaining her RN license in December 2021. She juggled shifts in the hospital with her increased interest in modeling and creating content, and she worked with brands and published beauty content on social media.
She made her television debut when she entered Love Island USA Season 7 on Day 5 as a bombshell. Amaya Espinal soon became the center of attention, becoming involved with several of the other contestants in critical scenes, such as Casa Amor.
During the season, she also became a headline-maker due to her open confrontations, like the Stand on Business challenge, and her empowerment statement, I am not your cup of tea to be drinking, which is a memorable moment that struck a chord with fans.
Amaya Espinal had formed the first Latino couple in the show, and by the finale on Day 32, she had regained a relationship with Bryan Arenales. Becoming the winners on the public vote, they held the $100,000 prize in their hands, creating a historic precedent in terms of the diversity of the show.
Following the performance, Amaya and Bryan shared that they almost gave up and that their common heritage was an important element of their relationship. They have claimed they will give a percentage of their prize to charity and take part in big media promotions, such as the reunion and press round, in the future.
Amaya Espinal and Olandria Carthen formed a close bond on Love Island USA, with Amaya often seeking Olandria’s advice. She later praised Olandria’s relationship with Nic Vansteenberghe, saying they had real potential and were already including each other’s families in cookouts.
Personal Life
Amaya Espinal is in a relationship with Bryan Arenales, her partner and Season 7 Love Island USA winner. Their bond, which had grown rapidly at the villa, was reinforced by the cultural understanding they shared, as Bryan stood up in her defense when she was doing one of her Latina phrases, which connected to many of the contestants.
They have affirmed their relationship after the show, had a sincere commitment in interviews, and also outlined plans to use prize money to donate to charitable causes. They are both anticipating the reunion, and they reassure each other that they are still connected in real life.
Social Media
Using the authenticated username @amayaelizabeth_, she has amassed more than 3.5 million followers on Instagram. Her story is a colorful combination of life at the hospital, flashbacks in the villa, fashion shoots, and open confessions.
Bonus tracks consist of her viral mirror songs and improvised lyrics, such as I never said I was perfect… which went viral on TikTok and Instagram Reels, gaining praise even among celebrities such as Lizzo. Amaya employs her social media presence to embrace her Dominican identity, nursing profession, and activism, effectively balancing influencer glamour and bedside earnestness.
Amaya Espinal Net Worth
The estimated net worth of Amaya now is around $300,000-500,000, which is a compilation of her paycheck as a nurse, reality show winnings, product endorsements, and paid partnerships. Since her $50,000 cash prize in the Love Island finale and her ascent as an influencer with millions of followers, she will forever increase her earning potential. Her financial base is growing enormously with expected TV showings, media jobs, and charity events.