The Snapchat Scandal: 5 Shocking Truths Behind Pepe Cheating On Iris And The Love Island USA Breakup
The whirlwind romance of *Love Island USA* Season 7 finalists Iris Kendall and Jose "Pepe" Garcia-Gonzalez captivated fans, but their post-villa journey quickly devolved into one of the most explosive scandals in the show’s history. As of late December 2025, the couple has confirmed their split, not long after leaving the villa, with the breakup being overshadowed by viral, unverified rumors of infidelity.
The core of the drama centers on an alleged cheating incident involving Pepe and an unknown woman in a hotel lobby, details of which were purportedly leaked via social media. Despite Pepe's firm public denial, the scandal became a major talking point, leading to their highly-publicized separation and Iris’s subsequent rumored connection with another former Islander, TJ Palma. Here is a deep dive into the shocking truths, the social media fallout, and the definitive timeline of the *Love Island USA* final four couple.
The Love Island USA Finalists: Iris Kendall and Jose “Pepe” Garcia-Gonzalez Biography
Iris Kendall and Jose “Pepe” Garcia-Gonzalez were one of the most talked-about couplings on *Love Island USA* Season 7, ultimately making it to the final four. Their journey was marked by a strong connection that seemed poised for success outside the Fiji villa, making the subsequent cheating scandal all the more dramatic for their dedicated fanbase.
- Full Name: Iris Kendall
- Age: 25-26 (at the time of the show)
- Hometown: Los Angeles, California
- Occupation: Spray Tan Artist and Influencer
- Show Status: Entered the Villa on Day 9 as a bombshell, finished in the Final Four.
- Key Entities: *Love Island USA*, Los Angeles, Influencer, Bombshell Islander, Final Four.
- Full Name: Jose “Pepe” Garcia-Gonzalez
- Age: 27 (at the time of the show)
- Hometown/Born: Madrid, Spain / Los Alamitos, California
- Occupation: Former Basketball Player (played for the Cal State Fullerton Titans)
- Show Status: Entered the Villa on Day 9 as a bombshell, finished in the Final Four.
- Key Entities: Cal State Fullerton Titans, Professional Athlete, Madrid, Basketball, Reality TV Star.
The couple was a late-stage success story, with both entering the villa as 'bombshells' and forming a solid relationship that resonated with viewers, who voted them into the final episode. Their post-show interviews suggested a genuine plan to continue their relationship, which made the rapid descent into breakup rumors and the infidelity claims a massive shock to the *Love Island* community.
The Viral Snapchat Leak: Unpacking the Alleged Cheating Scandal
The first signs of trouble for Iris and Pepe emerged almost immediately after the show's finale and reunion special. The rumors of Pepe’s infidelity did not come from a traditional news source but exploded across platforms like TikTok and Reddit, fueled by a single, unverified social media post.
The Infamous Hotel Lobby Rumor
The scandal originated from an alleged Snapchat screenshot shared by an "unknown woman." The message, which quickly went viral, claimed an intimate encounter with Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez.
The purported text on the Snapchat message was highly explicit and specific, alleging the encounter took place in a hotel lobby. The screenshot reportedly read: “Last night, I had s*x with Pepe in the hotel lobby and now I have to work with him all weekend; it's going to be sick.”
While this screenshot has never been officially verified, its specific details—a hotel setting and the woman claiming to work alongside him—gave the rumor a shocking credibility among fans. The timing was also critical, as the alleged incident occurred shortly after the couple left the villa and were supposed to be navigating their new, real-world relationship. The immediate and widespread nature of the leak made the cheating allegation impossible for the couple to ignore, putting immense pressure on their newfound relationship.
Pepe’s Firm Denial and Iris’s Subtle Response
In the wake of the Snapchat leak and the ensuing social media firestorm, the couple’s actions spoke volumes before any official statement was released. Fans first noticed that Iris Kendall and Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez had unfollowed each other on Instagram, a tell-tale sign of a reality TV breakup. Furthermore, Iris deleted all photos of Pepe from her profile, a move widely interpreted as confirmation of the split.
Pepe’s Public Defense
Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez was the first to address the rumors publicly, confirming the breakup while vehemently denying the cheating allegations. In an interview with TMZ, Pepe stated, “Iris and I are not together anymore. That’s just the way it goes.”
He was equally direct when addressing the infidelity claims, stating there was "no truth" to the rumors and that he “did not” cheat on Iris. He suggested the media was manipulating the narrative, saying, “But again, the media is going to play into whatever they want to play into. And that’s okay. Let them.” This consistent denial from Pepe has been his official stance across multiple platforms, including a subsequent appearance on the 'Sorry We're Not Cyrus' podcast where he discussed the aftermath.
Iris’s Indirect Confirmation
Unlike Pepe, Iris has maintained a more private and subtle approach to the cheating allegations. She did not release a statement directly confirming the infidelity, but her actions on social media provided a clear signal to fans.
Crucially, Iris was seen "liking" numerous TikTok comments from fans who were discussing the scandal and suggesting she "deserves better." This subtle form of social media interaction was widely viewed by the fanbase as an indirect confirmation that the cheating rumors were indeed the reason for the demise of their relationship. Additionally, several of Iris's close friends, her manager, and even her roommates reportedly unfollowed Pepe on social media, further solidifying the narrative of betrayal among their inner circle and the public.
The TJ Palma Factor: Post-Breakup Developments
Adding another layer of complexity to the drama was Iris Kendall’s relationship with another *Love Island USA* Season 7 contestant, TJ Palma. Before coupling up with Pepe, Iris had a brief connection with TJ in the villa.
After the breakup with Pepe, rumors quickly began to circulate that Iris had reconciled or at least met up with TJ. This speculation was later confirmed, and it became a key topic of discussion in the media. Pepe himself addressed Iris’s reconciliation with TJ Palma on the 'Sorry We're Not Cyrus' podcast, indicating that he was aware of the situation and acknowledging the ongoing post-show drama.
This development provided a significant distraction from the cheating scandal itself, shifting the focus to Iris’s immediate romantic future and raising questions about whether the connection with TJ was always there or simply a rebound from the heartbreak caused by the alleged infidelity. The entire situation highlights the intense scrutiny and drama that follow *Love Island* contestants long after the cameras stop rolling, turning a private breakup into a public spectacle of cheating rumors, social media clues, and new relationships.
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