5 Shocking Revelations Behind The Pepe And Iris Cheating Scandal: Did The Love Island Star Really Betray Her?

The whirlwind romance of Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez and Iris Kendall, one of the most popular couples to emerge from *Love Island USA* Season 7, has officially come to an end, overshadowed by a massive and persistent cheating scandal that has dominated social media discussions since the split. As of late 2025, the former "Pepiris" duo has confirmed their separation, but the central question remains: Did Pepe actually cheat on Iris, as alleged by viral screenshots and fan speculation? The truth is a complex web of public denial, unverified social media claims, and a dramatic post-villa reconciliation for one of the stars. The drama first ignited shortly after the pair left the villa, culminating in a public fallout that saw Iris unfollow Pepe on social media, signaling the end of their relationship. While Pepe has consistently and vehemently denied the allegations, the detailed rumors—including claims involving a hotel lobby encounter and a damning social media post—have convinced a large segment of the *Love Island* fanbase that the betrayal did indeed occur.

The Profiles: Who Are Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez and Iris Kendall?

To understand the magnitude of the scandal, it’s essential to know the two central figures. Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez and Iris Kendall were fan favorites on the seventh season of the US dating reality show, finishing in fourth place. Their journey from late arrivals to a final couple captured the attention of millions, making their post-show drama all the more impactful.

• Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez
  • Age: 27 (at the time of the show)
  • Hometown: Santa Ana, California
  • Origin: Born in Madrid, Spain
  • Profession: Trainer and Former Professional Athlete
  • Relationship Status: Confirmed single after the Iris split.
  • Key Role in Scandal: The accused party, who has publicly denied all cheating allegations.
• Iris Kendall
  • Age: 25 (at the time of the show)
  • Hometown: Los Angeles, California
  • Profession: Spray Tan Artist, Content Creator, and Influencer
  • Relationship Status: Has since reconciled with fellow Islander TJ Palma.
  • Key Role in Scandal: The alleged victim, who initiated the public split by unfollowing Pepe amid the rumors.

The Cheating Allegations: Unpacking the Viral Social Media Rumors

The "Pepe cheating on Iris" narrative gained unstoppable momentum not from a formal public statement, but from a series of highly circulated, unverified posts on social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat. These claims quickly became the foundation for the fan community's belief in the betrayal, despite the lack of concrete, verifiable evidence.

The Alleged Snapchat Screenshot

The most damaging piece of "evidence" was an alleged Snapchat screenshot that went viral across fan pages and discussion forums. This image reportedly showed a selfie of a young blonde woman with a caption suggesting a recent intimate encounter. The text, which was widely quoted, allegedly claimed she "Had sex..." with Pepe, implying the encounter took place while he was in a committed relationship with Iris.

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While the woman's identity was never officially confirmed, and the veracity of the screenshot remains unproven, the image served as a catalyst, fueling the fire of the cheating scandal. Fans were quick to believe the worst, leading to the massive public pressure that ultimately forced the couple to address their relationship status.

The Hotel Lobby and Golf Event Rumors

Beyond the primary screenshot, two other specific rumors circulated, adding topical authority and depth to the scandal's narrative. One rumor claimed Pepe had been caught having an affair with a woman, possibly named Melissa, in a hotel lobby. Another fan speculation on a popular Reddit thread alleged that the cheating incident took place during a golf event, shortly before the breakup was confirmed.

These LSI keywords—hotel lobby, Melissa, and golf event—became key entities in the fan-driven narrative, creating a timeline of alleged infidelity that many followers accepted as fact, regardless of Pepe's consistent denial.

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Pepe’s Public Denial and Iris’s Surprising Next Move

Following the intense public backlash, Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez confirmed the breakup but adamantly rejected the cheating allegations. In multiple statements to the press, including an exclusive with TMZ, Pepe confirmed that he and Iris Kendall were through, but he was unequivocal in his denial of infidelity.

Pepe’s stance has consistently been that the separation was a mutual decision based on the difficulties of maintaining a relationship outside the controlled environment of the *Love Island* villa, rather than a result of any betrayal. He maintained that there was "no evidence" to support the claims, painting the rumors as baseless speculation driven by social media frenzy.

Iris’s Reconciliation with TJ Palma

In a surprising twist that shifted the focus of the scandal, Iris Kendall was later linked to fellow *Love Island USA* contestant, TJ Palma. The two, who had a connection in the villa before Iris ultimately coupled up with Pepe, reconciled post-show.

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This development added another layer of complexity to the narrative. Pepe even addressed the reconciliation in a podcast appearance, opening up about the aftermath of his split from Iris and her decision to pursue a relationship with TJ Palma. This move by Iris served as a definitive closing chapter to the "Pepiris" relationship, regardless of the cheating allegations, and introduced the new entity, TJ Palma, into the post-scandal conversation.

The Final Verdict: Why the Rumor Persists Despite Denial

The case of "Pepe cheating on Iris" is a textbook example of how reality TV drama can spill over into real life, with social media acting as judge, jury, and executioner. Despite Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez's firm denial and the lack of concrete, unassailable proof, the rumor persists for several key reasons:

1. The Power of the Screenshot: The alleged Snapchat screenshot created a tangible, if unverified, piece of "evidence" that was easily shared and consumed by millions, overriding official statements.
2. Fan Investment: The intense emotional investment in the "Pepiris" couple from *Love Island USA Season 7* meant fans were primed to believe a dramatic, scandalous ending over a simple, quiet breakup.
3. Iris’s Silence on Cheating: Iris Kendall never explicitly confirmed the cheating in a public statement. Her action of unfollowing Pepe and moving on with TJ Palma was enough for most fans to infer guilt on Pepe's part.

Ultimately, while the official story is a mutual breakup with a strong denial of infidelity, the court of public opinion—fueled by the viral rumors of the hotel lobby and the alleged mistress Melissa—has largely convicted Pepe. The scandal serves as a stark reminder of the intense scrutiny and speculation that follows reality stars long after the cameras stop rolling.