‘Love Island USA’ Week 3 Recap: Casa Amor (Finally) Shakes Things Up, Putting Connections to the Test

Week three kicked off with one of the most surprising dumpings of the season so far. During episode 13, the results of the second fan vote were revealed, putting three couples — Kenzie and Corbin, Sol and Caleb, and Jen and Gabriel — at the bottom as America’s least favorites.

The safe Islanders then had to choose a boy and girl to send home, which ultimately led to the boys dumping Sol from the villa and the girls dumping Gabriel. But what made the moment even more shocking was that Sincere was the Islander who announced they had picked Sol, despite being coupled up with her days prior before he recoupled with Melanie. Earlier in the day, Sol also called Sincere out during a one-on-one chat for being dishonest about his feelings, leading some fans to speculate that’s the reason he wanted Sol out of the villa.

“I’m not surprised. Everyone was closed off when I came in here. So they’re putting me out of my misery,” Sol told Madix after learning she was dumped. “It’s like couples island in here. I’m glad you found your person; I just feel like I came too late to the game.”

Gabriel added, “I think I did my best. And when you put yourself out of your comfort zone, you’re vulnerable, especially when you share your thoughts. I came in here to explore and find my best connection. … I’m just proud of myself and want to keep going.”

Though the Islanders are far from living happily ever after with several more weeks on Love Island USA, filled with plenty of twists and turns, they got a taste of a “Fairytale Ending” during the challenge on episode 14. The game saw the cast, dressed as princesses and princes, get slimed after slaying the dragon’s eggs, answer fairy-tale-themed questions, lock lips with multiple Islanders and more.

It’s the most hectic time of the season, as Casa Amor, which separates the male and female cast and introduces them to a new pool of potential suitors, kicked off in episode 17. The women weren’t as privy to the start of the Love Island fixture, as the boys were whisked off after the full cast were initially told they were getting ready to partake in the Hearts on Fire challenge, which sees the Islanders dress in sexy outfits and dance for each Islander to see who can rate whose heart rate the most.

The boys headed off to Casa Amor, and after the ladies got ready, they headed around the firepit where they were met with a large present… or so they thought. That “present” was revealed to be a television screen so they could watch what the men were getting up to in Casa Amor, leaving the women to watch as their men were introduced to six new singles, as things (to put it lightly) heated up.

The OG girls had to wait a night before the Casa Amor boys arrived during episode 18.

After watching the men they’re coupled up with be introduced to a whole new villa of women, the ladies of Love Island USA were introduced to a brand new batch of men in episode 18. And there was no shortage of suitors, as literally a dozen men arrived via yacht to partake in a pool party and day full of exploring connections with the women.

After a day of fun, Ariana Madix returned to reveal which pool of boys the ladies chose to move forward with for the rest of Casa Amor. At the end of things, Carl, Chay, Corey, Dylan, Gal and Ronnie were the remaining Casa boys. Who they may couple up with, however, will have be answered after Casa Amor ends.

With the most anticipated part of Love Island finally underway, things really started to heat up during the third week of season eight. 18 new Islanders were introduced, and yet only 12 remain after episode 19, and only time will tell which Casa Amor bombshells couple up with the original Islanders.

For one of the first times in season eight, many of the Islanders are exploring their connections and finding potential new matches. Part of that was boosted by the women catching a glimpse at what their men were up to in Casa Amor, a twist that viewers have certainly taken a liking toward.

As Casa Amor continues and will near its end during week four, one thing is for certain: Feathers will be ruffled, and things will never be the same.

Here are the current pairings as week three comes to an end, though 18 new Islanders have arrived in Fiji to test the couples with Casa Amor underway.

Casa Amor bombshells (click here for details):

New episodes of Love Island USA, hosted by Madix, drop Thursdays through Tuesdays, with Love Island Aftersun (hosted by Ciara Miller and Tefi Pessoa) airing every Saturday.