‘Love Island USA’: All About Season 8 Standout Melanie Moreno
What To Know
- Melanie Moreno has become a standout contestant on Love Island USA Season 8.
- She’s already been involved in drama and has made bold moves in the villa.
- Melanie reportedly has a connection to a Love Island USA Season 7 cast member.
Love Island USA viewers, would we all agree that Melanie Moreno has shaken up the villa the most so far? Over the first week of Season 8, Melanie had some rocky moments with her Day 1 partner, Sincere Rhea. She wasn’t happy when he pulled bombshell Kayda Bosse for a chat, nor when a game revealed that he’d once cheated on a partner by texting other girls.
In the following episodes, Melanie boldly pulled new bombshell Corbin Mims away — when he was mid-conversation with all the girls. It ruffled Beatriz Hatz‘s feathers, though they smoothed things over in Episode 5.
Melanie has definitely made an impression on the villa and fans since her reality TV debut. But what do we know about her life off-screen? Melanie has revealed plenty of tidbits about her life so far, and Swooon did a digital deep dive, too. Find out Melanie’s surprising connection to the Love Island USA Season 7 cast and more below.
What is Melanie Moreno’s age?
Melanie is 24 years old. “I’m a Scorpio. We’re a little freaky,” she said, explaining why sex is important to her in a relationship.
Where is Melanie Moreno from?
Melanie, who has Dominican roots and is fluent in Spanish, was raised in North Philadelphia. “I’m a Philly girl — we’re so real, we’re so blunt,” Melanie, who has resided in Los Angeles since 2023, said in her show intro. “But we’re so fun. We’re fun as f**k.”
A few years ago, the now-Islander sat down for an interview with Voyage LA, sharing a few more details about her upbringing.
In high school, she knew her parents wanted her to go to college. “And even though college wasn’t my number one plan, I still decided to go. I loved being in college; I just knew it wasn’t meant for me, and I wanted to give my dream a chance,” she said. “I truly didn’t want to go on in life regretting that I didn’t do what I actually wanted to do. So I decided to give myself one semester. One semester to go after the life I wanted. I had no idea what I was going to do. I was in my darkest time, and I didn’t know who I was or where I was going. I was completely lost and confused.”
Then her world was upended when her stepdad passed away. “I had never experienced the death of someone so close to me,” she explained. “I truly didn’t know what to do next or how to control my emotions. But despite my pain and grief, all I knew was that I had to pull myself together for my mother.”
Melanie said in her intro that her mom is her best friend. “She’s the reason I’m bubbly,” she added.
What is Melanie Moreno’s job?
Fitting for Love Island, Melanie is a bikini store manager. Season 7 star Iris Kendall reportedly referred Melanie to the show after she sold Iris a bikini, according to a screenshot from Iris’ Snapchat.
Melanie described her dating life as bikinis in the “damaged bin” of her store: She’s always picked the wrong guy. She’s ready to find someone to settle down with in “an actual relationship,” she said.
According to her LA Voyage interview, Melanie didn’t start out as a bikini store manager. “Months after my stepdad’s death, I decided to go after my dream of starting my business MORE SPORT STUDIO,” she said. “More sport studio is a brand where I bring awareness to mental health through fashion. I believe people don’t take mental health seriously enough. It’s something that is often dismissed and overlooked. With my brand, I hope to bring luxury sustainable products with meaning.”
Then, she was scouted by her then-manager and signed with modeling agency Wilhelmina. “My biggest dream since I was ten years old was to be a model,” Melanie explained. “I lost myself so badly that I let go of that dream and tried to focus on something that was ‘more practical.’ But Elizabeth saw the potential in me that I didn’t see in myself for a while. The main reason I gave up on my dream was because I had this belief that I had to look perfect to even get into the business. I thought I needed a specific look or a specific body type. Little did I know I was wrong. I tried for nine years to get scouted and signed, but I still truly believe I was found at the perfect time.”
Love Island USA, Season 8, Every Night Except Wednesdays, 9/8c, Peacock
