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Thursday night’s episode of Love Island USA Season 7 delivered a dramatic shake-up that stunned fans, as five contestants were unexpectedly sent packing in the show’s largest elimination of the season so far. Airing at 9:00 pm ET on Peacock, the episode followed a tense public vote and recoupling ceremony that determined the fate of several Islanders. In a move that caught many viewers off guard, Austin Shephard, Andreina Santos, Gracyn Blackman, Jaden Duggar, and TJ Palma were all eliminated. Taylor Williams narrowly escaped the same fate, receiving a crucial save from the remaining Islanders despite also landing in the bottom six.
The elimination followed an intense postcard challenge in which contestants anonymously asked each other difficult questions, revealing underlying tensions and insecurities. The game stirred up fresh drama, particularly involving Huda Mustafa, Olandria Carthen, and Chris Seeley. The tension escalated when Huda and Olandria clashed over their feelings for Chris, who has made it clear his interest lies with Michelle “Chelley” Bissainthe. These shifting dynamics heightened the pressure just before host Ariana Madix arrived to reveal the results of the public vote.
Once the bottom six were identified, the Islanders were tasked with saving one person. They ultimately chose Taylor Williams, a decision that sent the other five home. The moment was met with an emotional farewell, as several fan-favorite Islanders—particularly Andreina and Austin—were considered genuine and popular. The elimination also left Iris Kendall, Bryan, and Pepe Garcia single in the villa, setting the stage for more changes in upcoming episodes.
Following the recoupling, the villa now houses 20 contestants. The current group includes standout female Islanders like Chelley Bissainthe, Huda Mustafa, Olandria Carthen, Belle-A Walker, and Iris Kendall, along with remaining male contestants such as Ace Greene, Nicolas “Nic” Vansteenberghe, Jose “Pepe” Garcia, and Charlie Georgio. This season has already seen several notable departures, including early exits from Jeremiah Brown, Charlie Georgiou, and Hannah Fields during the Casa Amor twist, which brought in a wave of new bombshells and disrupted existing connections.
The surprising eliminations sparked strong reactions online, with many viewers criticizing the disconnect between the public’s voting choices and the Islanders’ perceptions of who’s playing the game well. Fans voiced disappointment over the early departures of Andreina and Austin, suggesting that more strategic or drama-driven players remained while more emotionally grounded contestants were let go.
Despite the controversy, Love Island USA Season 7 continues to break records and dominate on Peacock. According to reports from News 18 and Deadline, the show has reached new heights in viewership, especially following the introduction of Casa Amor. What began as a modestly performing reality series in its earlier seasons has now evolved into a major summer hit, with Season 7 marking its most successful run to date.
Episodes of Love Island USA Season 7 air daily—except Wednesdays—on Peacock at 7:00 pm ET. With only a few weeks left until the finale, fans are watching closely as alliances shift, new romances spark, and the remaining Islanders navigate the emotional and strategic challenges of life in the villa. As the game intensifies, more twists are likely to emerge, making the road to the finale anything but predictable.