Amaya "Papaya" Espinal is opening up about a tragic loss she experienced before joining Love Island USA. "This is the first time I am ever sharing this story publicly. It happened out of nowhere, and that was the first time I have ever experienced such a tragic loss very suddenly," Amaya, 26, told Popsugar in an interview published Monday, November 17. "It showed me that tomorrow is never guaranteed, and that made me feel so unsure - not only about myself, but about life." According to the reality star, an ex-boyfriend (who she chose not to identify) died unexpectedly in 2024.