Before entering the Love Island villa, Jose “Pepe” Garcia played basketball for multiple international teams. Pepe joined Love Island USA season 7 on day nine and came in as a personal trainer. He didn’t reveal his former career until later in the ...

Pepe revealed he was a professional basketball player in Season 7, Episode 10 of Love Island USA after he joined the show as a bombshell, along with Iris Kendall and Jalen Brown. “I just retired. I played six years of pro basketball,” he said. “Just retired from that. Opened up a gym and an after-school program.”

"I want to first start by addressing not just anyone that I have hurt or deeply offended, but most importantly, the entire Asian community. I am deeply, truly, honestly, so sorry," she said in a lengthy video.

As “Love Island USA” headed into its fourth week, fan-favorite Hannah Fields was dumped from the island, despite having what many considered to be the strongest connection in the villa with Pepe

Love Island USA season 7 episode 28 aired on Peacock on July 4, 2025. The episode featured a ball pit challenge where Pepe was given the option to choose the female islander he wanted to participate in the ball pit with. He chose Iris, and the two shared a kiss during the challenge, hinting at a possible coupling with each other.

After “Love Island USA” became a cultural phenomenon last summer, the Peacock reality show’s built-in fan base gave the streamer the perfect venue to put their strategic partnerships into full gear, collaborating with brands from Megan Thee Stallion’s swimwear line to Duolingo.