Amaya “Papaya” Espinal recently treated her followers to a fresh look from her Dominican Republic trip. In an Instagram post captioned “Miss Papaya back in her isla,” the “Love Island USA” star turned heads in a revealing one-piece swimsuit with a vibrant teal hairstyle.
While a handful of followers weren’t sold on the bold color, the overwhelming response was one of pure admiration.
Espinal opened the 12-slide carousel with a stunning photo of herself by a beach lounge with colorful furniture. She wore a white monokini featuring a bandeau-style top connected to tie-side bottoms by a sheer mesh panel that highlighted her toned midsection.
Posing with one hip cocked to the side, she stared directly at the camera with a composed expression, teal curly hair cascading over her shoulders. She accessorized with a long silver necklace, stacked beaded bangles, and Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets for a luxe finish.
A swipe right revealed a dreamy shot of the reality star sitting along the shoreline after dark, her damp skin glowing under the soft lighting.
Fans Are ‘Obsessed’ With Her New Hair
In later slides, Amaya Espinal paired the monokini with a matching asymmetrical cover-up skirt featuring a side zipper closure. Under the post, compliments poured in from fans and fellow islanders, including the Season 8 winner, Trinity Tatum, who wrote, “Fairy mermaid princess.”
Kenzie Annis and Iris Kendall also complimented the hair, while another user commented, “I’m obsessed.” “My fav thing about your post is the music choices,” someone else added, praising the use of Shakira and Alejandro Sanz’s “La tortura” for the carousel.
A Chic Babe
Before heading to the Caribbean, Espinal attended one of Bruno Mars’ “The Romantic Tour” shows in New Jersey and shared eye-catching visuals of her look on social media.
With her hair slicked back, she stepped out wearing the striped yellow-and-black “Alluring Enchanting” crop top, paired with olive-green capri pants, styling the ensemble with Miu Miu glasses and Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets.
Former islanders also showed up in the comments of this post, with Jeremiah Brown commenting an affectionate “There she goes.” Other fans filled the comments with support, especially as online commentary about her changing appearance grows.
Amaya Espinal Drops Jaws In Kim Shui
Espinal also sparked buzz with an earlier photoshoot featuring a striking Kim Shui dress. Photographed by Eduardo Holguin, she wore her hair in a sleek ponytail that fully showcased her facial features, accessorizing with Miu Miu eyewear that added a sophisticated edge.
In the comments section, some fans praised the fashion while critics hammered on her appearance. One commenter bluntly asked, “What happened to you?”
Fans Continue Debating Her Changing Appearance
On X, a “Love Island USA” fan reposted one of Amaya Espinal’s recent clips, opening a conversation about her looks with the caption, “Not the industry getting to Amaya too.”
Other users took the invitation to comment their thoughts, with one stating that “she’s ruining her face.” Another claimed “she was already perfect,” while several admitted they barely recognized her at first glance.
Fortunately, supporters stepped in, urging others to show kindness while explaining that the reality star has been living with Crohn’s disease.