Summer has officially started for reality TV fans, with the return of “Love Island USA” last night!
Peacock’s fan-favorite reality series kicked off its eighth season Tuesday, June 2, complete with fresh-faced islanders, fun challenges and plenty of steamy makeouts. And a Floridian bombshell has entered the villa.
Four new episodes of “Love Island USA” will air this week. Next week, the show will return to its usual schedule of airing every day except Wednesday.
Here’s a quick recap of the “Love Island USA” season eight premiere, who’s coupled up, the cast and how to vote on the show.
Who are the current couples on ‘Love Island USA’ season 8?
After the premiere episode, there are five couples on “Love Island USA”:
Any Floridians on ‘Love Island USA’ season 8? Gabriel entered as a bombshell
Yes. Gabriel Vasconcelos is a 26-year-old model from Miami, Florida.
Vasconcelos appeared as a “bombshell” last night instead of being in the initial cast, as planned. He was brought out toward the very end of the episode and tasked with making a connection (a.k.a. making out) with two islanders who already wanted to leave their couples.
See the entire 2026 ‘Love Island USA’ cast
Did anyone go home on ‘Love Island USA’ season 8 premiere?
No one went home on the premiere episode of “Love Island USA” last night. However, two people were added to the villa: Vasconcelos and Bosse.
What happened to Vasana on ‘Love Island’?
There were originally 12 islanders in the initial cast, but Vasana Montgomery, a salon owner from Oregon, was removed from the show before it aired.
One day after the cast announcement, video clips of Montgomery using a racial slur began circulating online, and Montgomery was removed from the cast May 29.
Fans theorize that this is why Vasconcelos, who was announced with the original cast, and Bosse were brought in as bombshells during the premiere.
This is similar to a 2025 “Love Island” contestant from Miami, Yulissa Escobar, who was pulled after a day in the villa due to evidence of her using racial slurs on social media.
Where can I watch ‘Love Island USA’ season 8? Is ‘Love Island’ on Peacock or Hulu?
You can watch new episodes of “Love Island USA” live on Bravo and Peacock daily this week, except Saturday. Starting next week, episodes will air daily, except on Wednesdays.
Watch ‘Love Island USA’ on Peacock
You can stream new episodes the night they air on Peacock. A premium monthly plan costs $7.99 or $79.99 for one year. The premium plus plan, which is ad-free, costs $13.99 per month or $139.99 a year.
You can also catch up on seasons four, five, six and seven of “Love Island USA” on Peacock.
Is ‘Love Island USA’ live?
While “Love Island USA” is not exactly live, it is filmed in real time and delayed by a day or two before airing.
What is up with the water bottles on Love Island?
A “Love Island USA” franchise staple, the cast always carries personalized white water bottles to stay hydrated.
Fans can purchase their own on the Love Island website.
How to vote on ‘Love Island USA’
To vote for your favorite Islanders or couples on “Love Island USA,” you must download the official Love Island app.
This will influence which Islanders couple up, who remains in the villa, and who goes home single or heartbroken.
How do you win ‘Love Island USA’?
Each season’s winner is the couple that gets the most viewer votes as the favorite couple in the villa.
During the finale, the winning couple with the most votes gets envelopes. One envelope has prize money, and the other is empty. The person who receives the prize money can choose to keep it for themselves or split it with their partner.
Lianna Norman and Samantha Neely are trending reporters for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, Florida wildlife, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: ‘Love Island USA’ season 8 premiere recap. Did anyone go home?
Reporting by Lianna Norman and Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
