The Truth Behind The Split: 5 Key Facts About The Pepe And Iris Cheating Rumors From Love Island USA

The question of whether *Love Island USA* star Jose “Pepe” Garcia-Gonzalez cheated on Iris Kendall has dominated reality TV headlines and social media feeds since their sudden split. As of this current date in December 2025, the relationship between the fan-favorite couple from Season 7 is officially over, but the controversy surrounding the reason for their breakup—specifically the explosive cheating allegations—remains a major point of contention among fans and media outlets.

The drama surrounding the *Love Island* couple reached a fever pitch in late August 2025 when both Iris and Pepe unfollowed each other on Instagram, signaling the end of their romance shortly after leaving the villa. While the breakup itself was disappointing to viewers, it was the immediate eruption of rumors suggesting that Pepe had been unfaithful that truly set the internet ablaze, forcing the former professional athlete to publicly address the shocking claims.

Biographies of Iris Kendall and Jose “Pepe” Garcia-Gonzalez

The relationship between Iris Kendall and Jose “Pepe” Garcia-Gonzalez captured the attention of millions during their time on the seventh season of *Love Island USA*. Their journey from bombshell entrants to a seemingly strong couple made their subsequent breakup and the surrounding scandal all the more dramatic.

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Iris Kendall: The Los Angeles Bombshell

• Full Name: Iris Kendall
• Age: 25–26 (as of her time on the show)
• Hometown/Origin: Los Angeles, California (with some sources citing Calabasas)
• Occupation: Spray Tan Artist, Influencer, and Content Creator
• Reality TV History: Entered the *Love Island USA* Season 7 villa on Day 9 as a bombshell.
• Key Relationship on Show: Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez.
• Post-Show Drama: Fueled breakup rumors with cryptic Instagram posts and later reconciled with former Islander TJ Palma.

Jose “Pepe” Garcia-Gonzalez: The Former Pro Athlete

• Full Name: Jose “Pepe” Garcia-Gonzalez
• Nickname: Pepe
• Age: 27 (as of his time on the show)
• Hometown/Origin: Born in Madrid, Spain, but resides in Santa Ana/Los Alamitos, California.
• Occupation: Trainer and Former Professional Athlete (with a background in basketball)
• Reality TV History: Entered the *Love Island USA* Season 7 villa on Day 9 as a bombshell.
• Key Relationship on Show: Iris Kendall.
• Post-Show Drama: Publicly denied cheating on Iris following the breakup.

The Timeline of the Breakup and Cheating Allegations

The relationship between Iris and Pepe seemed strong when they left the *Love Island USA* villa, but the transition to the outside world proved challenging. The first signs of trouble emerged just weeks after the show wrapped up.

August 2025: Social Media Silence and Unfollows. Fans first noticed the relationship was in trouble when both Iris Kendall and Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez stopped posting content together. This was quickly followed by the two unfollowing each other on major social media platforms, which is the modern-day equivalent of a definitive breakup announcement.

The Eruption of Cheating Rumors. Almost immediately after the unfollows, social media began to buzz with unconfirmed rumors alleging that Pepe had been unfaithful to Iris. These rumors, which were shared widely across platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, claimed Pepe had been involved with another woman shortly after leaving the villa.

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Iris’s Cryptic Response. While Iris did not explicitly confirm or deny the cheating allegations, her public actions strongly suggested that the breakup was not amicable. She posted cryptic messages and song choices on her Instagram Stories that fans interpreted as a clear response to the infidelity rumors, further fueling the speculative fire.

Pepe Confirms the Split and Denies Infidelity. The speculation became so intense that Pepe was forced to address the situation publicly. In late August 2025, he confirmed the split with Iris Kendall but was adamant about denying the cheating claims.

He told TMZ, "I didn't cheat." He reiterated this stance on the "Sorry We're Not Cyrus" podcast, stating, "I did not cheat on Iris," and acknowledging that the media would "play into whatever they want to play into."

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The core of the matter, therefore, is a classic case of "he said, she implied," with the only explicit statement coming from Pepe himself, who vehemently denies the infidelity that led to the widespread media coverage.

Pepe’s Denial: The Full Statement on the Cheating Claims

Pepe’s decision to speak out on the 'Sorry We're Not Cyrus' podcast provided the most detailed response to the highly charged rumors. His defense focused on two key points: a direct denial of the act and an acknowledgment of how reality TV drama is often amplified by the media.

A Clear and Direct Rebuttal. When directly asked about the cheating allegations, Pepe was unequivocal. He maintained that he “did not” cheat on Iris Kendall. This firm denial is the only official confirmation regarding the cheating question, suggesting that, from his perspective, the rumors are unfounded and purely speculative.

The Media Narrative. Pepe also offered insight into the pressures and narratives that follow reality TV stars post-show. He suggested that the media and the public tend to sensationalize the drama, stating, "the media is going to play into whatever they want to play into. And that's okay." This perspective frames the cheating scandal as an unfortunate, yet expected, consequence of being in the public eye after a high-profile reality TV appearance.

His statement confirms the breakup but attempts to redirect the narrative away from infidelity, suggesting that the split was simply due to the difficulties of maintaining a relationship outside of the controlled environment of the *Love Island* villa. However, without a counter-statement from Iris explicitly clearing his name, the public perception remains split.

The Post-Breakup Drama: Iris and TJ Palma’s Reconciliation

Adding another layer of complexity to the Pepe and Iris drama was the swift emergence of a new romance for Iris Kendall. Shortly after her split from Pepe, Iris reconciled with another fellow *Love Island USA* Season 7 contestant: TJ Palma.

Iris and TJ’s History. Iris and TJ Palma had a brief connection inside the villa, but the relationship did not progress. However, once Iris was single, the two reconnected in the outside world.

The reconciliation between Iris and TJ was confirmed when they began posting content together on social media, sparking a new wave of interest and further solidifying the finality of the Iris and Pepe pairing.

Pepe’s Reaction to the New Couple. Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez was also asked about Iris’s reconciliation with TJ Palma during his podcast appearance. His response was notably measured and mature. He stated that he had no ill will toward either of them and wished them well. He emphasized that he had moved on and was focused on his own life and career as a trainer.

This post-breakup development, while not directly related to the cheating question, provided a definitive end to the romantic chapter between Pepe and Iris and shifted the focus of the *Love Island USA* Season 7 drama to Iris’s new relationship.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict on the Cheating Rumors

The definitive answer to the question, "Did Pepe cheat on Iris?" remains officially unconfirmed by both parties, though the available evidence points to a firm denial from one side and suggestive silence from the other. Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez has categorically denied all allegations of infidelity, stating clearly that he "did not" cheat.

Iris Kendall, the central figure in the controversy, has chosen to let her actions—unfollowing Pepe, cryptic posts, and moving on with TJ Palma—speak for themselves, opting not to explicitly confirm the cheating rumors.

For fans of *Love Island USA* Season 7, the split between Pepe and Iris is a clear example of how the pressures of the real world can quickly dismantle a villa romance. While the cheating rumors provided a sensational narrative, the only established facts are the confirmed breakup and Pepe’s unwavering denial of the claims. The chapter on Pepe and Iris is closed, and both have moved on, though the drama of their split will likely be a talking point for years to come.