5 Shocking Twists In The 'Did Pepe Cheat On Iris' Scandal: The Truth Behind The Love Island USA Breakup

The question of "Did Pepe cheat on Iris?" became one of the most explosive social media firestorms following the conclusion of *Love Island USA* Season 7, dominating reality TV chatter well into late 2024. The romance between Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez and Iris Kendall, which blossomed in the Fiji villa and made it to the final four, came to an abrupt and dramatic end shortly after the cameras stopped rolling, fueling intense speculation that infidelity was the cause. As of today, December 10, 2025, the full story involves much more than a simple cheating allegation, including public denials, social media unfollows, and a surprising reconciliation with a former flame that turned the narrative completely upside down. The couple's sudden split, confirmed just a month after they left the villa, was immediately linked to rumors circulating online that Pepe had been caught in an affair. However, the picture is far more complex, with Pepe publicly denying the rumors and even hinting that the infidelity might have been on the other side of the relationship. To understand the full scope of the drama, we must first look at the key figures and the timeline of events that led to the viral "Pepe and Iris cheating scandal."

Biography & Reality TV Profile: Iris Kendall and Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez

The two central figures in this high-profile breakup gained widespread recognition during their time on *Love Island USA* Season 7. Their journey from friends to lovers was a fan favorite, making their post-show drama all the more impactful.

• Iris Kendall:
• Age: 25 years old
• Hometown/Residence: Los Angeles, California
• Occupation: Influencer and Spray Tan Artist
• Love Island USA Entry: Entered the villa as a bombshell on Day 9
• Key Relationship: Coupled up with Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez, finishing in the final four.
• Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez:
• Age: 27 years old
• Hometown/Residence: Originally from Madrid, Spain, currently resides in Los Angeles
• Background: Former college basketball player, having played for Cal State Fullerton
• Love Island USA Entry: Original islander who formed a strong connection with Iris
• Key Relationship: Coupled up with Iris Kendall, reaching the final four.

The Breakup Timeline and Initial Cheating Allegations

The first signs of trouble between Pepe and Iris emerged in late August, shortly after the finale of *Love Island USA* Season 7 aired. This rapid deterioration of their relationship outside the villa immediately sparked the intense "did Pepe cheat on Iris" debate. The initial rumors began to circulate on social media platforms, suggesting that Pepe had been involved in an affair with an unnamed woman. These rumors quickly gained traction among the show's dedicated viewers, who were left confused by the sudden silence from a couple that had seemed so committed just weeks earlier. The breakup was all but confirmed when fans noticed two key social media actions:

• Both Pepe and Iris unfollowed each other on Instagram.
• Iris Kendall removed all photos of Pepe from her Instagram profile.

These actions—the social media purge and the unfollow—are almost universally recognized in the reality TV world as confirmation of a split, lending credence to the accompanying cheating allegations that had exploded online. However, despite the widespread rumors, neither Pepe nor Iris explicitly commented on the nature of the cheating allegations in their initial statements confirming the breakup.

Pepe’s Vehement Denial and the TJ Palma Twist

The "Did Pepe cheat on Iris?" scandal took a dramatic turn when Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez finally broke his silence, not only to confirm the split but to issue a strong denial regarding the infidelity claims. Pepe was unequivocal in his public statements. He maintained that he "did not" cheat on Iris, despite the media playing into the narrative. This denial, coming directly from the source, challenged the prevailing social media consensus. While there was no concrete, verifiable evidence ever presented to confirm that Pepe had cheated, the mere existence of the rumors was enough to tarnish his reputation and overshadow the breakup.

The Shocking Reconciliation with TJ Palma

The most significant twist in the entire saga came when Iris Kendall was later seen reconciling with fellow *Love Island USA* contestant, TJ Palma. TJ Palma was an islander with whom Iris had a connection earlier in the season before she ultimately chose Pepe. This development led to a complete reversal of the public narrative, with Pepe himself hinting that the real infidelity may have occurred on Iris's side. Pepe appeared on a podcast and seemingly suggested that Iris may have cheated on him with TJ Palma after they left the villa. This unexpected turn of events reframed the entire breakup. What started as a clear-cut case of a man cheating on his partner quickly devolved into a complex, messy post-show reality where the lines of who was loyal and who was not became heavily blurred. The fact that Iris quickly moved on and reconciled with a former villa connection was interpreted by many fans and, seemingly, by Pepe, as evidence that her relationship with TJ was a factor in the split, regardless of the initial rumors about Pepe's alleged actions.

Conclusion: The Unresolved Truth of the Cheating Scandal

The question "Did Pepe cheat on Iris?" remains officially unresolved, but the public statements and subsequent actions provide a clearer picture. Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez has consistently and vehemently denied the allegations, and no concrete evidence has ever emerged to prove the rumors that circulated on social media. The enduring legacy of the Pepe and Iris breakup is a classic reality TV drama that extends far beyond the final episode. The relationship ended not just with a split, but with a counter-allegation of infidelity and a shocking romantic reconciliation between Iris Kendall and TJ Palma. Ultimately, the couple’s relationship fell victim to the pressures of post-villa life and the intense scrutiny of social media, leaving fans with a complex, two-sided story of who broke whose trust.