When Jose "Pepe" Garcia walked into the Love Island USA villa for Season 7, the vibe shifted immediately. It wasn’t just the leather outfit or the whip—honestly, that was a lot—but it was the 6'3" stature and that "I'm looking for a wife" energy he brought from Madrid via Los Angeles. He was the bombshell who promised maturity. Fans bought into it. He was different. Or so we thought.
Fast forward to 2026, and the dust has finally settled on the Fiji drama. Pepe and Iris Kendall, the couple who snagged fourth place, are no longer a thing. It was messy. It was public. And for a guy who claimed he wanted to get married on "Day 3," the reality of post-show dating has been a cold shower.
The Basketball Career: Fact vs. Fiction
Pepe leaned heavily into his "professional basketball player" persona. It sounded prestigious. It sounded like he’d been playing in the big leagues before pivotting to fitness. But the internet is a petty place, and it keeps receipts.
Here’s the reality: Pepe played for Cal State Fullerton, but he spent most of his time on the bench. We're talking nine total minutes across two seasons. That’s not a typo. He did venture to Spain to play for CD Enrique Soler Melilla in the third tier. Technically, yes, that’s professional because he got a paycheck. However, fans on Reddit and platforms like The Tab were quick to point out that he might have "oversold" the dream just a little bit.
He wasn't exactly Kobe. He averaged about five points and one assist in 12 minutes per game. Does that make him a bad athlete? No. Does it make him a "retired pro" in the way most people imagine? Probably not. These days, he’s focused on his gym, Pro Gainz Training, which he launched back in 2023. He’s much better at squats than he was at three-pointers, apparently.
What Happened with Iris Kendall?
The "Pepiris" nation was strong for a minute there. They survived Casa Amor. They survived the "Post Casa" recoupling. They even parented those creepy "twin" dolls, Lois and Peter, with more grace than most.
But by August 2025, it was over.
Speculation started when Iris wiped him from her Instagram. She even posted a photo of a cookie with her own crying face on it—classic breakup behavior. Pepe eventually went on TMZ to confirm the split, saying, "That's just the way it goes." He had to deny a lot of cheating rumors too. People were convinced he’d been unfaithful, especially after a cryptic post from one of Iris's friends.
The TJ Factor
To make things even more awkward, Iris didn't stay single for long. She was spotted back with her former villa flame, TJ Palma, almost immediately after the reunion. Pepe hasn't been shy about his feelings on that. He told People it was hard to understand how someone could "just jump from one person to the next."
- Relationship Status: Single and struggling.
- The Drama: A tense reunion and a very public "unfollowing" on social media.
- The Fallout: Pepe admits dating in LA post-fame is actually harder than before.
He recently sat down with Tish Cyrus on the Sorry We're Cyrus podcast to set the record straight. He claims he’s just keeping his circle small and hanging out with his dog, Rex. Honestly, the dog might be the only one who didn't cause him any drama this year.
Life in 2026: More Reality TV?
Pepe’s been hinting at something big. He told TMZ he might be doing a "spin-off of a certain show." Is it Games? Is it a "Second Chances" type of deal? He hasn't said. But he did make it clear he isn't looking for love on camera again. He's over the "talking stages" that lead nowhere.
People still bring up the "no-tipping" scandal. There was a viral TikTok where a server claimed Pepe and fellow islander Bryan ran up a huge tab and left zero tip. Pepe hasn't confirmed it, but the "villain" label has started to stick to him more than the "heartthrob" one lately.
If you’re following his journey, the move now is to watch his fitness content. He’s actually a very legitimate trainer. He specializes in customized strength and conditioning, and his business, Pro Gainz, seems to be thriving despite the tabloid noise.
If you're looking to keep up with him, his Instagram is still @pepe.garcia15. Just don't expect many "couple goals" posts anytime soon. He’s in his "focus on me" era, which, in reality TV speak, usually means he's waiting for the next contract to sign.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out the Pro Gainz Training website if you’re actually looking for a workout plan rather than just villa tea.
- Watch the full Sorry We're Cyrus interview to hear his side of the cheating allegations; he’s much more articulate there than in his Instagram stories.
- Keep an eye on Peacock's upcoming casting announcements for 2026—that "big project" he teased is likely dropping sooner than you think.