5 Key Facts About The Pepe And Iris Cheating Scandal: Did The Love Island Star Really Betray Iris Kendall?

The question of "Did Pepe cheat on Iris?" remains one of the most explosive and debated topics to emerge from *Love Island USA* Season 7. As of today, December 11, 2025, the relationship between Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez and Iris Kendall is officially over, and while Pepe has vehemently denied the allegations, the public narrative surrounding their split is inextricably linked to persistent rumors of infidelity. This deep dive uncovers the timeline of the alleged betrayal, the public statements from both reality stars, and the key facts you need to know about the dramatic end to their post-villa romance.

The scandal, which erupted shortly after the couple confirmed their post-show relationship, has captivated fans who watched the pair couple up late in the villa. Despite their short time together on the show, they managed to make it to the finale, only for their real-world journey to be cut short by a wave of social media speculation and a subsequent, confirmed breakup.

Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez and Iris Kendall: A Complete Biography Profile

To understand the context of the cheating rumors, it is essential to first know the key players involved. Pepe and Iris were two of the most popular contestants from *Love Island USA* Season 7, which aired in 2024.

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• Full Name: Jose “Pepe” Garcia-Gonzalez
• Age: 27 (at the time of the show's airing)
• Hometown: Santa Ana, California
• Ethnicity/Descent: Spanish and Cuban descent
• Occupation: Former Professional Basketball Player and Personal Trainer
• Love Island Journey: Entered the villa as a Bombshell on Day 9. Coupled up with Iris Kendall and finished in fourth place.

• Full Name: Iris Kendall
• Age: 25 (at the time of the show's airing)
• Hometown: Los Angeles, California
• Date of Birth: September 30, 1999
• Occupation: Spray Tan Artist, Entrepreneur, Influencer, and Content Creator
• Love Island Journey: Entered the villa as a Bombshell. Coupled up with Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez and finished in fourth place.

The Cheating Rumors Timeline: What Sparked the Speculation?

The transition from the *Love Island* villa to the real world is often the true test for couples, and for Pepe and Iris, the real world brought immediate drama. Their split was not a quiet, mutual parting; it was a public unraveling fueled by online hints and accusations.

1. The Social Media Silence and Unfollow.

The first major red flag for fans came when Iris Kendall unfollowed Pepe on Instagram. This subtle yet powerful social media move, often a death knell for reality TV relationships, immediately kicked off the breakup speculation. Iris also reportedly deleted all photos of Pepe from her profile, signaling that the relationship was likely over.

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2. The Anonymous Allegations.

Following the unfollow, social media began to buzz with rumors that Pepe had been caught in an affair with another woman. While the specific details of the alleged cheating were never officially confirmed, the narrative quickly spread across platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter). One piece of speculation that gained traction was a cryptic message from a close friend or "roommate" of Iris, which seemed to confirm the cheating allegations and Iris's heartbreak.

3. The Official Breakup Confirmation.

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Pepe eventually confirmed the split with Iris Kendall, but he was quick to address the elephant in the room. The reality star publicly acknowledged the swirling rumors but made a strong denial regarding the infidelity.

Pepe’s Strong Denial and Iris’s Subtle Response

The most crucial aspect of this scandal is the direct denial from Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez, which leaves the question of cheating officially unconfirmed by any concrete evidence.

Pepe's Public Statement: "I Did Not Cheat."

In interviews and on podcasts, including the 'Sorry We're Not Cyrus' podcast, Pepe maintained his innocence. He explicitly stated that he "did not" cheat on Iris. He attributed the media frenzy to the nature of reality TV and celebrity, noting that "the media is going to play into whatever they want to play into". In his statements, Pepe confirmed his split with Iris but denied the speculation that he cheated, stating there is no evidence to confirm it.

Iris Kendall's Response.

Unlike Pepe, Iris has been more reserved in her public commentary, letting her actions speak louder than words. Her primary response was the social media purge—unfollowing Pepe and deleting their shared photos. While she has broken her silence on the split, she has not explicitly provided a reason for the breakup or confirmed the cheating allegations herself. The lack of an explicit comment from Iris means the cheating remains a rumor, despite the strong public belief.

The TJ Palma Factor: A Post-Breakup Twist

The narrative surrounding the *Love Island* couple took another sharp turn when Iris was linked to another *Love Island USA* contestant, TJ Palma.

Iris’s Reconciliation with TJ.

Shortly after the split from Pepe, Iris Kendall began a new relationship with TJ Palma, a contestant from a previous season of *Love Island USA*. This reconciliation became a major talking point in the media, adding another layer of complexity to the breakup with Pepe.

Pepe’s Reaction to Iris and TJ.

Pepe was asked about Iris's new relationship with TJ Palma on the 'Sorry We're Not Cyrus' podcast. He addressed the situation, further cementing the fact that his chapter with Iris was closed and that he wished her well. This public acknowledgment helped to move the focus from the cheating scandal to the new dynamics of the *Love Island* cast's post-villa lives.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict on the Cheating Rumors

In the world of reality television, rumors often take on a life of their own, and the case of Pepe and Iris is a perfect example. While the couple's relationship ended quickly and dramatically, the definitive answer to "Did Pepe cheat on Iris?" is nuanced:

• The Fact: Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez and Iris Kendall broke up shortly after *Love Island USA* Season 7 concluded.
• The Allegation: Rumors of infidelity circulated, suggesting Pepe cheated on Iris, with some social media posts from Iris's circle appearing to support the claim.
• The Denial: Pepe has explicitly and repeatedly denied cheating on Iris, and no concrete, verifiable evidence has surfaced to confirm the rumors.

Ultimately, the split was confirmed, but the cheating remains an unproven allegation that Pepe strongly refutes. For fans, the story serves as a reminder that the bonds formed in the villa are often fragile when tested by the pressures of the real world and intense media scrutiny.