The Shocking Split: 7 Biggest Revelations About Iris And Pepe's Breakup And The TJ Palma Drama

The whirlwind romance of Iris Kendall and Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez, fan-favorite finalists from Love Island USA Season 7, has come to a dramatic and unexpected end. As of late 2025, the couple who captured hearts with their genuine connection in the villa have officially split, a separation that was quickly followed by a storm of social media speculation, cheating allegations, and a shocking public reunion with another Islander. This detailed article breaks down everything that led to the split, the current status of the former couple, and the full biography of the reality stars at the center of the controversy.

The news of their breakup, which surfaced shortly after the season's reunion episode aired, sent shockwaves through the Love Island community. The relationship—which had survived the drama of the villa—could not withstand the pressures of the outside world, culminating in a messy public fallout involving deleted posts, cryptic messages, and the unexpected re-entry of a former flame, TJ Palma. It's a classic reality TV drama that continues to unfold in the real world.

Full Biography and Profile: Iris Kendall and Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez

Iris Kendall and Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez entered the public consciousness as contestants on the seventh season of the Peacock reality series Love Island USA. Their journey was marked by late entries and a strong, seemingly stable coupling that landed them in the final four.

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• Iris Kendall (The LA Bombshell)
• Full Name: Iris Kendall
• Age: 25 (at the time of the show)
• Hometown: Los Angeles, California
• Occupation: Influencer and Digital Creator
• Role on Love Island USA: Entered the villa as a bombshell, initially coupled up with TJ Palma before moving on to Pepe.
• Key Facts: Known for her vibrant personality and being a "dog mom."
• Current Status: Single, focusing on her career, and making public appearances with TJ Palma.
• Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez (The Pro Athlete)
• Full Name: Jose Garcia-Gonzalez (Goes by "Pepe")
• Age: Early to Mid-20s (Specific age not widely confirmed in latest reports, but comparable to Iris)
• Hometown: Los Alamitos, California
• Occupation: Former Professional Basketball Player
• Role on Love Island USA: Entered the villa later in the season. Coupled up with Iris, with whom he made it to the finale.
• Key Facts: Played college basketball at Cal State Fullerton. Known for his calm demeanor and athletic background.
• Current Status: Single, dealing with the aftermath of the public breakup and cheating rumors.

The Love Island Journey: From Villa Bliss to Real-World Turbulence

Iris and Pepe’s relationship was one of the most talked-about storylines of Love Island USA Season 7. They were considered a late-blooming power couple, overcoming the initial challenge of Iris’s connection with another Islander, TJ Palma.

Iris entered the villa as a bombshell, immediately connecting with TJ Palma. Their initial coupling was strong, but the relationship faced a major test. When TJ was unexpectedly dumped from the villa, Iris was left heartbroken and single.

It was in the wake of this departure that Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez entered the picture. Pepe, a former pro basketball player, quickly formed a bond with Iris. Their connection was genuine and deep, leading them to couple up and ultimately become finalists, placing fourth in the competition.

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Despite their limited time as an official couple compared to the season’s other finalists, they seemed committed at the reunion. However, the pressure of a long-distance relationship and the scrutiny of social media proved too much to handle, leading to an almost immediate split post-reunion.

7 Biggest Revelations Surrounding the Iris and Pepe Split

The breakup between Iris and Pepe was far from quiet. It unfolded publicly across various social media platforms, creating a viral storm of speculation, fan theories, and intense drama. Here are the seven biggest revelations about their separation and the resulting controversy that rocked the Love Island fandom:

1. The Split Occurred Shortly After the Reunion

While the couple appeared together and confirmed they were still dating during the *Love Island USA* Season 7 reunion show, the relationship dissolved quickly after filming wrapped. Reports indicate the split happened in August 2025, just weeks after the finale, suggesting underlying issues were already present.

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2. The Cheating Scandal Rumors Exploded on Social Media

The primary catalyst for the public fallout was the widespread rumor that Pepe had cheated on Iris. While no official, verified confirmation was ever released, the speculation quickly spread across TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). The buzz was so intense that it dominated the conversation surrounding the former couple.

3. Iris Deleted All Traces of Pepe from Her Instagram

In a clear sign that the relationship was over, Iris Kendall deleted all posts featuring Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez from her Instagram feed. This move, a common action in the world of celebrity breakups, served as a silent confirmation of the split amid the swirling rumors. Fans immediately noticed the digital scrubbing.

4. Pepe Addressed the Breakup with a Cryptic Post

Pepe addressed the relationship’s end in a more subdued manner, posting a message on his social media that fans interpreted as a response to the drama. The post, however, did not directly address the cheating rumors, leaving fans to fill in the blanks and further fueling the speculation.

5. Iris Reconnected with Ex-Islander TJ Palma

Perhaps the most shocking twist was Iris’s public reconciliation with her former villa flame, TJ Palma. The two were seen together at New York Fashion Week shortly after the breakup. This move immediately sparked rumors that they were back together, a theory that Iris later had to clarify.

6. Pepe Called the Iris and TJ Reunion "Weird"

Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez publicly expressed his feelings about Iris and TJ Palma spending time together. In an interview, he described their relationship as "weird" given the circumstances and the timing. This added another layer of public tension to the already dramatic post-villa narrative, creating a classic love triangle dynamic for the fans to follow.

7. The Breakup Was Rooted in Post-Villa Disagreements

Beyond the cheating rumors, sources indicated that the couple had fundamental disagreements about what their relationship meant outside the villa. The transition from the controlled environment of *Love Island* to the real world, complete with geographical distance and career pressures (influencer vs. former pro athlete), likely contributed to the rapid breakdown of their connection.

The Current Status: Where Iris, Pepe, and TJ Stand Now

As of the most recent updates in late 2025, the dust has somewhat settled, but the dynamic remains complex. Iris Kendall is single and focused on her career as an L.A. influencer. Her public appearances with TJ Palma have continued, though she insists they are just close friends. The nature of their bond, however, continues to be a major talking point among fans who originally rooted for their connection in the villa.

Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez has maintained a lower profile since the breakup, dealing with the fallout of the cheating allegations. His social media presence is less focused on the relationship and more on his personal life and career endeavors. The split has cemented Iris and Pepe as another couple from Love Island USA Season 7 who failed to make their romance last outside the confines of the show, but their dramatic exit from coupledom has ensured their continued relevance in the reality TV news cycle.