The Truth Behind The Split: Did Love Island USA's Pepe Really Cheat On Iris Kendall?

The question "Did Pepe cheat on Iris?" has become one of the most explosive and persistent pieces of post-show drama to emerge from *Love Island USA* Season 7. Fans were shocked when finalists Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez and Iris Kendall, who seemed to have found a genuine connection in the villa, announced their split shortly after the reunion episode aired. The breakup was quickly overshadowed by intense speculation and viral rumors that Pepe had been unfaithful, leading to a media firestorm that both stars were forced to address.

As of late , the relationship between Pepe and Iris is definitively over, but the controversy surrounding the alleged cheating remains a hot topic among the *Love Island* fandom. Pepe has vehemently denied the allegations, while Iris has moved on, most notably reconnecting with another islander, TJ Palma. This article dives deep into the timeline of the split, the specific details of the cheating claims, and what the two reality stars have said about the drama.

Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez and Iris Kendall: A Detailed Profile

The relationship drama between Pepe and Iris gained significant traction because of their visibility as finalists on *Love Island USA*. Understanding their backgrounds provides context for the intense public scrutiny they faced.

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Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez Biography

• Full Name: Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez
• Nickname: Pepe
• Age: 27 years old (as of 2025)
• Date of Birth: March 20, 1998
• Hometown/Origin: Born in Madrid, Spain; his hometown is listed as Los Alamitos or Santa Ana, California
• Occupation: Former professional basketball player, model, and reality TV personality
• Love Island Status: Entered as a Bombshell; finished in 4th place on *Love Island USA* Season 7
• Family: Parents are Jose Garcia-Yanez and Erika Gonzalez; has a sister named Sarah

Iris Kendall Biography

• Full Name: Iris Kendall
• Age: 25 years old (as of 2025)
• Date of Birth: September 29 or 30, 1999
• Zodiac Sign: Libra
• Hometown: Los Angeles, California
• Occupation: Content Creator, Influencer, Spray Tan Artist, and reality TV personality
• Love Island Status: Entered as a Bombshell; finished in 4th place on *Love Island USA* Season 7

The Breakup Timeline: From Finalists to Fallout

Pepe and Iris’s journey on *Love Island USA* was a late-blooming connection, but they quickly became a fan-favorite couple, ultimately securing a spot in the finale. However, the post-villa reality proved to be a much tougher test for their relationship.

The Post-Reunion Split

While the couple appeared to still be together during the reunion episode, which premiered on August 25th, their relationship quickly deteriorated shortly after. The first sign of trouble came when fans noticed that Iris Kendall and Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez had unfollowed each other on Instagram, a classic tell-tale sign of a celebrity breakup in the digital age.

Pepe officially confirmed the split in an interview with TMZ, stating, "We're not together anymore." The confirmation of the breakup was immediate, but the reason behind it was not, leaving the door wide open for internet speculation.

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The Surge of Cheating Rumors

Almost immediately following the breakup announcement, social media began to buzz with intense cheating rumors. The speculation suggested that Pepe had been caught having an affair with an unnamed woman after leaving the villa.

These rumors quickly gained traction, fueling the narrative that infidelity was the true cause of the sudden split between the *Love Island USA* stars. The lack of detailed explanation from either party only intensified the public's curiosity and the spread of the unverified claims.

Pepe’s Definitive Denial and Iris’s Subtle Response

The core of the controversy rests on the conflicting statements and actions of the two parties involved. While the internet was convinced of Pepe’s guilt, he maintained a firm stance of innocence.

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Pepe’s Public Statement: "I Did Not Cheat"

In multiple public appearances and on podcasts, Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez has strongly denied the cheating allegations. During an appearance on the 'Sorry We're Not Cyrus' podcast, he addressed the issue head-on.

• He explicitly stated that he "did not" cheat on Iris Kendall.
• Pepe acknowledged that "the media is going to play into whatever they want to play into," suggesting the rumors were inflated for drama.
• Despite the widespread belief on social media, Pepe has consistently maintained that the end of the relationship was not due to infidelity on his part.

It is crucial to note that no concrete, verifiable evidence has ever been presented to confirm the rumors that Pepe cheated. The narrative remains a case of public speculation versus the reality star’s definitive denial.

Iris Kendall's Next Chapter: Reconciliation with TJ Palma

Iris Kendall did not explicitly comment on the cheating rumors in the same direct manner as Pepe. However, her actions spoke volumes to the fans. She subtly responded to the breakup speculation on Instagram, further confirming the end of her relationship with Pepe.

The most significant development was Iris's reconciliation with fellow *Love Island USA* Season 7 islander, TJ Palma. Iris had previously been coupled up with TJ in the villa before he was dumped and she moved on with Pepe.

Pepe later spoke out about Iris’s quick reunion with TJ, acknowledging the situation during his media appearances. The rapid development of the Iris-TJ relationship in the wake of the Pepe split added another layer of complexity and drama to the entire post-villa fallout, suggesting that Iris had moved on and found closure, regardless of the cheating rumors' validity.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict on the Cheating Scandal

The question of "Did Pepe cheat on Iris?" ultimately falls into the realm of 'unproven speculation.' While the breakup between Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez and Iris Kendall was real and dramatic, fueled by intense public interest and social media rumors of infidelity, Pepe has firmly and repeatedly denied the claims.

The available evidence suggests that the relationship simply did not survive the transition from the *Love Island* bubble to the real world, a common fate for many reality TV couples. The intense and viral "cheating scandal" appears to be a case of post-show drama amplified by social media, with the only direct information being Pepe's denial and the couple's definitive split, which paved the way for Iris's new relationship with TJ Palma. The two finalists of *Love Island USA* Season 7 have since moved on, but the mystery surrounding their dramatic split continues to captivate the reality TV audience.