Love Island's Iris and TJ Reveal Long-Term Romance Plans

The couple from season 7 are 'in this for the long haul' as they navigate a long-distance relationship.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 6:45pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of shimmering, glittering sequins captured in dramatic, high-contrast studio lighting, conceptually representing the glamour and high-fashion aesthetic of a celebrity relationship.Love Island alums Iris and TJ's blossoming romance shines with the glamour of a red-carpet affair.Today in Tampa

Love Island USA season 7 alums Iris Kendall and TJ Palma have reconnected to explore a romantic connection on the upcoming second season of the spin-off series Love Island: Beyond the Villa. In an exclusive interview, the couple opened up about their blossoming relationship, including how they feel 'safe' and 'confident' together outside the villa, and their plans to travel the world despite the challenges of a long-distance romance.

Why it matters

Iris and TJ's relationship is a rare success story from the Love Island franchise, which is known for its high-profile breakups. Their willingness to share their journey provides a glimpse into the realities of maintaining a relationship after the cameras stop rolling.

The details

After connecting on Love Island USA season 7, Iris and TJ reconnected shortly after the show and have been dating long-distance between Tampa and Los Angeles. They say they feel a sense of 'security' in their relationship now that they can spend more time together off-camera. The couple has plans to travel to destinations like Turks and Caicos, Europe, and Italy together in the near future as they navigate the next steps of their relationship.

  • Iris and TJ were spotted together in Tampa and Miami in September 2025, shortly after the Love Island USA season 7 finale.
  • Iris and TJ will appear on the second season of Love Island: Beyond the Villa, which premieres on Peacock on April 15, 2026.

The players

Iris Kendall

A contestant on Love Island USA season 7 who connected with TJ Palma during the show.

TJ Palma

A contestant on Love Island USA season 7 who reconnected with Iris Kendall after the show and is now in a long-distance relationship with her.

Pepe García-Gonzalez

Iris Kendall's partner on Love Island USA season 7, before she and TJ Palma reconnected.

Love Island: Beyond the Villa

A spin-off series of Love Island USA that follows contestants after they leave the villa.

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What they’re saying

“Our relationship is healthy, and it makes me feel really good. This is the first time I've ever been in a relationship where I feel so confident, good, and happy. I feel safe, and it's growing every single day.”

— Iris Kendall

“We have a sense of security, too. We were in the villa for a couple of days, and then she got pulled for another conversation, then we went to Casa Amor, and then we came back. You don't really know what's gonna happen or how it's gonna play out. But outside the villa, we're together, and we're in this for the long haul.”

— TJ Palma

What’s next

Iris and TJ plan to travel to Turks and Caicos, Europe, and Italy together in the near future as they continue to navigate their long-distance relationship.

The takeaway

Iris and TJ's relationship demonstrates that love can blossom outside the pressures of reality TV, even for couples who didn't end up together on the show. Their willingness to share their journey provides hope for Love Island fans that lasting connections are possible, even if the path is not always straightforward.