5 Shocking Reasons Why Pepe And Iris Broke Up Just Weeks After The Love Island USA Finale

The whirlwind romance between *Love Island USA* Season 7 finalists Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez and Iris Kendall has officially ended, a stunning development that broke the hearts of fans just weeks after the show's finale. The couple, who came in fourth place on the Peacock dating series, confirmed their split in late August, sparking immediate speculation across social media, with the most persistent rumor being that the former professional basketball player had cheated on the Los Angeles influencer. This article, updated for December 18, 2025, dives deep into the complex and dramatic reasons behind the separation, the public fallout, and where the former islanders stand now. The news of the breakup first surfaced when fans noticed that Iris had unfollowed Pepe on Instagram and removed all photos of them together from her feed, a classic celebrity split signal that quickly led to official confirmation. Pepe, in a conversation with TMZ, confirmed the end of the relationship, stating, "That's just the way it goes," but vehemently denied the widespread cheating allegations that had begun to circulate online. The dramatic aftermath involved public statements, podcast confessions, and a controversial meet-up with a former co-star, turning their post-Villa life into another season of reality TV.

The Love Island USA Finalists: A Full Biography Profile

The relationship between Pepe and Iris was one of the most talked-about couplings on *Love Island USA* Season 7. Their journey was fast-paced, starting later in the season, which added to the pressure once they left the show.

• Full Name: Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez
• Age: Not explicitly stated in recent snippets, but generally in his 20s/30s.
• Occupation: Former Professional Basketball Player / Reality TV Personality
• Hometown: Miami, Florida
• Season: *Love Island USA* Season 7 (Peacock)
• Final Placement: 4th Place (with Iris Kendall)
• Key Relationship: Iris Kendall

• Full Name: Iris Kendall
• Age: 25 (as of the show's airing)
• Occupation: LA Influencer / Reality TV Personality
• Hometown: Los Angeles, California
• Season: *Love Island USA* Season 7 (Peacock)
• Final Placement: 4th Place (with Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez)
• Key Relationship: Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez

1. The Cheating Rumors and Pepe's Shocking Denial

The primary catalyst for the public fallout was a series of intense cheating rumors that began swirling on social media. Fans started speculating about the couple's status after Iris’s sudden social media purge, and the rumors quickly escalated to suggest that Pepe had been unfaithful.

Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez, however, wasted no time in addressing the speculation head-on. He officially confirmed the split to TMZ but strongly denied all allegations of infidelity. This denial was not the end of the story; in a subsequent podcast appearance on "Sorry We're Not Cyrus," Pepe flipped the narrative, subtly implying that he was the one who was potentially cheated on, or at least betrayed, by Iris.

• 7 Shocking Rules And New Revelations Holly Madison Shared About The Playboy Mansion In 2025 Jpcot

The controversy deepened when an alleged ex-girlfriend of Pepe's came forward online, claiming that he was a "liar," which only fueled the fire for fans who were already skeptical of his side of the story. Despite the back-and-forth, Pepe has consistently maintained his innocence regarding the initial cheating claims that prompted the breakup.

2. Disagreements on Post-Villa Relationship Expectations

While the cheating drama dominated the headlines, the underlying cause of the split appeared to be a fundamental mismatch in their expectations for a relationship outside the controlled environment of the Villa. Even during the reunion, which was filmed before the official breakup, there was palpable tension between the two.

Sources indicated that the couple had disagreements about "what it means to be in a relationship." Transitioning from the intense, isolated setting of *Love Island*—where couples spend 24/7 together—to the real world is notoriously difficult. For Pepe and Iris, who had less time together as a couple in the Villa compared to the other finalists, the pressure of a long-distance relationship, combined with navigating their new public profiles, proved too much to handle.

• The Surprising Number How Many Kids Does Tyreek Hill Have 2025 Update Iij3i

3. The Shocking TJ Palma Reconciliation Drama

One of the most dramatic developments in the aftermath of the split was Iris Kendall's public appearance with fellow *Love Island USA* Season 7 islander, TJ Palma. TJ was Iris’s original partner in the Villa before she coupled up with Pepe.

Iris and TJ were seen together, which immediately led to fan speculation about a romantic reconciliation. Pepe publicly addressed this situation on a podcast, admitting that he was struggling with the aftermath of the breakup and its public nature. Iris, for her part, had to clear the air about the meet-up, explaining her current and past relationship status and clarifying the nature of her connection with TJ Palma. This post-breakup entanglement added a layer of complexity and high-stakes reality TV drama to what was already a messy public separation.

4. The Speed of Their Coupling in the Villa

Pepe and Iris were a late-game coupling in *Love Island USA* Season 7, which is a common factor in post-show breakups. They were together for a shorter period compared to the other final couples, meaning their foundation was less established.

• The 8 Biggest New Movies And Shows To Stream This Weekend December 1315 2025 Wrs6p

Their connection, while strong enough to secure a fourth-place finish, was built under the unique pressures of the show. Many viewers and commentators noted that their dynamic often felt more like a "situationship" than a solidified, long-term relationship, making their eventual split less of a surprise to some.

5. The Unavoidable Social Media Fallout

The initial sign of trouble—Iris unfollowing Pepe and deleting pictures—highlights the unavoidable pressure of social media on reality TV couples. Once an unfollow or photo deletion is noticed, the news spreads instantly, forcing a couple to address their private matters publicly before they are ready.

For Pepe and Iris, the social media scrutiny intensified the drama, turning a private disagreement into a full-blown public scandal involving cheating accusations and counter-accusations. This immediate and intense fan speculation, especially from the dedicated *Love Island USA* subreddit community, made a quiet, amicable separation virtually impossible.

Pepe and Iris Today: Their Current Status in 2025

As of late 2025, the split between Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez and Iris Kendall remains final. They are no longer a couple, and both have moved on from their brief post-Villa relationship.

Pepe has been vocal about his struggles following the breakup, particularly the difficulty of navigating the public scrutiny and the persistent cheating rumors. Iris has also released statements, confirming that the connection she formed with Pepe has ended, though she expressed disappointment that it didn't work out as she had hoped.

The story of Pepe and Iris serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by *Love Island* couples, where the intense environment of the Villa rarely translates smoothly into the complexities of the real world. Despite their dramatic ending, both former islanders continue to pursue their careers—Pepe in his endeavors as a former athlete and reality star, and Iris in her work as an LA influencer.

Detail Author:

• Name : Danielle Jakubowski PhD
• Username : valentine.reichel
• Email : oswaldo74@hotmail.com
• Birthdate : 2005-12-03
• Address : 745 Langworth Fall North Dustin, FL 52944-9978
• Phone : (681) 863-4838
• Company : Mraz-Russel
• Job : Occupational Therapist Assistant
• Bio : Est praesentium aspernatur assumenda. Numquam reiciendis reprehenderit veniam nam esse et quia. Dolor natus quas quia occaecati dicta. Fugiat quia sint laboriosam quas nisi nihil dicta.

Socials

twitter:

• url : https://twitter.com/dayna_casper
• username : dayna_casper
• bio : Ut est et eum excepturi eaque. Et culpa dolor eligendi et alias perspiciatis ab. Alias ipsum odio molestiae beatae sed.
• followers : 557
• following : 1315

tiktok:

• url : https://tiktok.com/@dayna9482
• username : dayna9482
• bio : Odit minima aut necessitatibus laboriosam dolorem.
• followers : 949
• following : 716

facebook:

• url : https://facebook.com/dayna_official
• username : dayna_official
• bio : Velit voluptates sapiente aperiam impedit.
• followers : 5467
• following : 566

linkedin:

• url : https://linkedin.com/in/casper2000
• username : casper2000
• bio : Sit rerum accusamus nam repellat et.
• followers : 3103
• following : 1564

instagram:

• url : https://instagram.com/casper2005
• username : casper2005
• bio : Harum architecto quibusdam sint eaque. Est recusandae natus eos expedita accusamus ut voluptas.
• followers : 1656
• following : 2697