5 Shocking Reasons Why Johnny And Cely Broke Up After Love Island USA Season 2 (The Nacho-Gate Scandal Explained)

The whirlwind romance of Johnny Middlebrooks and Cely Vazquez captured the hearts of millions during *Love Island USA Season 2* in 2020. Their journey, which saw them overcome one of the show’s biggest scandals to finish as runners-up, seemed destined for a happy ending in the real world. However, as of today, December 18, 2025, the couple has been separated for nearly five years, and the details surrounding their messy, public breakup are far more dramatic than anything that happened in the Las Vegas villa. The split was not just sudden; it involved accusations, a deleted video, a failed Hawaii trip, and the unforgettable "Nacho-gate" incident.

From their intense connection on Day 1 to their explosive post-show drama, the story of Johnny and Cely remains one of the most talked-about sagas in *Love Island* history. This deep dive reveals the full biography of the reality stars and the five shocking reasons their fan-favorite relationship ultimately failed, proving that sometimes, what happens in the villa doesn't stay together outside of it.

Cely Vazquez and Johnny Middlebrooks: Full Reality Star Biography

Both Cely and Johnny entered the public eye as key cast members of *Love Island USA Season 2*, which aired in 2020. Their respective biographies showcase backgrounds rooted in athletics and professional life before their transition into media personalities.

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Cely Vazquez Profile

• Full Name: Cely Vazquez
• Hometown: Sacramento, California
• Age (as of 2025): Approximately 29–30 years old (Born 1995/1996)
• Pre-Show Occupation: Legal Secretary
• Love Island Status: Runner-up on *Love Island USA Season 2* with Johnny Middlebrooks.
• Post-Show Career: Media personality, influencer, and reality star.
• Subsequent Reality TV: Competed on *Love Island Games* (2023).
• Key Entity Keywords: Sacramento, Legal Secretary, Love Island Games, Runner-Up, Social Media Influencer.

Johnny Middlebrooks Profile

• Full Name: Johnny Middlebrooks
• Hometown: Chesapeake, Virginia
• Age (as of 2025): Approximately 29–30 years old (Born 1995/1996)
• Pre-Show Occupation: Former Track & Field Athlete, Student.
• Love Island Status: Runner-up on *Love Island USA Season 2* with Cely Vazquez.
• Post-Show Career: Media personality, model, and reality star.
• Subsequent Reality TV: Competed on *Love Island Games* (2023), where he had a tense reunion with Cely.
• Key Entity Keywords: Chesapeake, Track & Field, Model, Media Personality, Love Island Games, Casa Amor Controversy.

The Casa Amor Scandal: A Shadow Over Their Relationship

The first major crack in the "Jely" relationship—a fan-created portmanteau for Johnny and Cely—occurred during the infamous Casa Amor twist. This event proved to be a pivotal moment that foreshadowed their eventual real-world split.

The Casa Amor Controversy with Mercades Schell

Despite being coupled up with Cely, Johnny’s behavior during his time at Casa Amor was highly controversial. He quickly formed a connection with new Islander Mercades Schell, engaging in intimate moments that went beyond what fans and Cely herself expected.

His actions, which included kissing and sharing a bed with Mercades, were a major source of drama upon his return to the main villa. The tension was palpable as Cely had remained loyal to Johnny.

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While Cely ultimately forgave Johnny, leading to their runner-up finish behind winners Justine Ndiba and Caleb Corprew, the incident eroded public trust. Many viewers felt Johnny was not truly committed, and this lack of trust would resurface post-show.

5 Shocking Reasons Behind The Johnny and Cely Breakup

The couple officially announced their split in January 2021, just four months after the *Love Island USA Season 2* finale. While their initial statement suggested a mutual and amicable decision, subsequent revelations from both Cely and Johnny painted a much messier picture, fueled by public drama and financial disagreements.

1. The Infamous 'Nacho-Gate' Incident at Cheesecake Factory

The most shocking and widely discussed reason for the final split was revealed by Cely herself in a later interview: the "Nacho-gate" scandal.

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Cely stated that the relationship ended, in part, because Johnny refused to pay for her nachos at a Cheesecake Factory. While seemingly trivial, Cely explained that this incident was the final straw, symbolizing a deeper issue of financial imbalance and a lack of support in their relationship.

The dispute quickly became a viral meme and a key piece of evidence for fans who believed Johnny was not fully invested in the relationship outside of the show's bubble.

2. The Failed Hawaii Trip and Public Fight

The breakup itself reportedly occurred during a trip to Hawaii, which Cely had paid for as a gift for the couple.

According to Cely, they had a major fight while on the island, which led to them calling it quits the following day. Cely ended up leaving the trip early, while Johnny chose to stay in Hawaii, further highlighting a disconnect in their priorities and commitment to resolving their issues.

The fact that a romantic getaway ended in a fight and a premature departure underscored the severe instability of their post-villa life.

3. Disagreement Over the 'Mutual' Breakup Narrative

Following their split, both Cely and Johnny offered conflicting public narratives, which escalated the drama. Cely’s initial announcement on social media was respectful, stating they were "no longer together."

However, Johnny later posted a since-deleted Instagram video where he suggested the decision was a "mutual agreement" but expressed annoyance that Cely was discussing the split publicly. This move was seen by many as an attempt to control the narrative, which only fueled the public's suspicion about the true cause of the breakup.

4. The Pressure of Post-Villa Life and Long Distance

Like many reality television couples, Johnny and Cely struggled to transition their intense, isolated villa romance into a real-world relationship. The pressures of fame, social media scrutiny, and maintaining a long-distance relationship between Sacramento, California (Cely) and Chesapeake, Virginia (Johnny) proved too much.

The constant public expectation to be the perfect couple, coupled with the lingering doubts from the Casa Amor drama, created an unsustainable environment. This common reality TV curse is a major entity in the failure of most *Love Island* pairings.

5. Tense Reunion on *Love Island Games*

Although their breakup happened in 2021, the final chapter of their drama played out years later when both Cely Vazquez and Johnny Middlebrooks returned to the franchise to compete on *Love Island Games* in 2023.

Their reunion was fraught with tension, and it was during this show that Cely publicly addressed the "Nacho-gate" incident, bringing the old drama back into the spotlight for a new audience.

The on-screen confrontation confirmed that their split was far from amicable and that unresolved feelings and resentments, particularly over the Cheesecake Factory incident and the Casa Amor betrayal, still lingered years later.

Where Are Johnny and Cely Now in 2025?

As of December 2025, both Cely Vazquez and Johnny Middlebrooks have moved on and are focused on their individual careers as media personalities and influencers. They are not romantically involved and appear to have fully closed the chapter on their *Love Island USA Season 2* romance.

Cely continues to be a vibrant social media presence, leveraging her reality TV fame to build her brand. Her appearance on *Love Island Games* cemented her status as a fan-favorite, known for her bubbly personality and honesty about the past.

Johnny is also pursuing his career in modeling and media. While his actions in the villa and post-show have been controversial, his return to the *Love Island Games* showed his continued commitment to the entertainment industry. He has transitioned from a college athlete to a full-time media figure.

The story of Johnny and Cely serves as a classic cautionary tale for *Love Island* couples: while the villa can spark a powerful connection, the realities of the outside world, from long-distance to a simple bill for nachos, often prove to be the ultimate test.