The Vegas Vault: 7 Shocking Secrets, Splits, And Scandals From Love Island USA’s Las Vegas Season
The "Love Island Las Vegas" season remains one of the most unique and talked-about installments in the franchise's history, not just for the drama but for its unprecedented setting. Originally planned for an exotic international location, *Love Island USA Season 2* was forced to relocate due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, transforming a luxurious rooftop in Sin City into the iconic villa. This pivot to the Las Vegas Strip created a pressurized, high-stakes environment that led to some of the show's most memorable moments, biggest scandals, and most controversial breakups, which continue to generate buzz even now in late 2024.
The decision to film the entire season on the roof of The Cromwell hotel gave the show a distinct, glamorous, and somewhat claustrophobic energy, a far cry from the usual tropical beaches. The season delivered a historic win for Justine Ndiba and Caleb Corprew, but the fairy tale quickly crumbled in the months following the finale. Here is the definitive, up-to-date breakdown of the Las Vegas season, covering the unique location, the cast, and the shocking splits that followed.
The Love Island USA Season 2 Cast: Biography and Final Couples
The Las Vegas season introduced a vibrant mix of islanders, all sequestered on the 11th floor of The Cromwell, hosted by Arielle Vandenberg and narrated by Matthew Hoffman. The initial pairings and subsequent couplings created the foundation for the season’s biggest storylines.
- Justine Ndiba: 27, Go-Go Dancer from Rockaway, New Jersey. Final Couple: Caleb Corprew (Winners).
- Caleb Corprew: 24, Sales Manager from Edmond, Oklahoma. Final Couple: Justine Ndiba (Winners).
- Cely Vazquez: 24, Legal Secretary from Elk Grove, California. Final Couple: Johnny Middlebrooks (Runners-Up).
- Johnny Middlebrooks: 22, Student from Chesapeake, Virginia. Final Couple: Cely Vazquez (Runners-Up).
- Moira Tumas: 28, Shopping Channel Host from Brielle, New Jersey. Final Couple: Calvin Cobb (3rd Place).
- Calvin Cobb: 25, Sales Manager from Houston, Texas. Final Couple: Moira Tumas (3rd Place).
- Carrington Rodriguez: 22, Sales Manager from Salt Lake City, Utah. Final Couple: Laurel Goldman (4th Place).
- Laurel Goldman: 22, Sales Girl from Auburn, Alabama. Final Couple: Carrington Rodriguez (4th Place).
- Notable Early Islanders: Connor Trott, Mackenzie Dipman, James McCool, Jeremiah White, Tre Forte, Kaitlynn Anderson, Sher Suarez, and Rachel McCord.
The Unprecedented Vegas Villa: An 11-Story Rooftop Oasis
The most striking element of *Love Island USA Season 2* was its location: a sprawling, custom-built villa on the rooftop of The Cromwell hotel. This venue, home to the famous Drai's Beachclub, was completely transformed to meet the show’s needs, creating a truly unique reality TV set.
The 25,000 Square Foot Transformation
In a scramble to save the season after international travel became impossible, the production team, in partnership with CBS and ITV Entertainment, turned a 25,000-square-foot outdoor space into a tropical paradise, complete with panoramic views of the Las Vegas Strip.
The setting was a masterful illusion. The villa featured a massive pool area, a communal bedroom with seven beds, a secluded Hideaway, a fire pit for dramatic re-couplings, and even ten 35-foot-tall natural palm trees imported to maintain the 'island' feel.
One of the most talked-about additions was a secret jacuzzi, a feature that host Arielle Vandenberg teased as being perfect for "sneaking off to for some quality time while no one is looking." The towering neon lights of Vegas served as a dramatic backdrop for every major conversation, coupling, and challenge, giving the season a high-energy, electric atmosphere that previous seasons lacked.
Where Are They Now? The Shocking Post-Show Splits and Scandals
Despite being filmed in 2020, the fate of the Las Vegas couples continues to be a hot topic, with the most recent updates confirming that, as of late 2024, zero couples from Season 2 are still together.
1. The Justine and Caleb Breakup: The $100,000 Controversy
Justine Ndiba and Caleb Corprew were the first Black couple in the history of the *Love Island* franchise to win, making their victory a significant cultural moment. They split the $100,000 prize and seemed destined for success, but the relationship ended abruptly in January 2021.
The breakup quickly became the season’s biggest scandal. Rumors began to circulate that Caleb had been in a relationship just before entering the villa and that his coupling with Justine was purely strategic—a claim he vehemently denied. Fans expressed outrage, feeling that the beautiful love story they had voted for was a calculated move. Justine addressed the situation with dignity, asking for privacy, but the controversy surrounding Caleb's alleged motives casts a long shadow over their historic win.
2. The Casa Amor Fallout: Johnny and Cely’s Messy Split
Cely Vazquez and Johnny Middlebrooks were fan favorites for their fiery chemistry, but their relationship was constantly under scrutiny, particularly after the infamous Casa Amor segment. During this test, Johnny developed a strong connection with new islander Mercades Schell, leading to a dramatic confrontation upon his return to the main villa.
Despite Cely forgiving Johnny and the couple finishing as runners-up, the trust issues persisted outside the villa. They officially broke up in January 2021, the same month as Justine and Caleb. Their split was described as "messy," with public statements and social media activity indicating a difficult end to their romance, proving that the pressures of reality TV fame, combined with the Casa Amor betrayal, were too much to overcome.
3. The Other Vegas Romances
The season's other final couples also failed to make it long-term:
- Moira Tumas and Calvin Cobb: The couple, who finished third, announced their split shortly after the show ended, citing distance as the main factor. Moira and Calvin have both gone on to pursue careers in modeling and social media influencing.
- Carrington Rodriguez and Laurel Goldman: Finishing fourth, their relationship also fizzled out quickly in the real world. Carrington, known for his charismatic yet sometimes confusing behavior in the villa, and Laurel, a late arrival who captured his attention, parted ways amicably.
The Legacy of Love Island Las Vegas: A Blueprint for Reality TV
The Las Vegas season proved to be a pivotal moment for the *Love Island USA* franchise. The quick-thinking relocation to The Cromwell rooftop demonstrated that the show could adapt to extreme circumstances, setting a new blueprint for reality television production during the pandemic.
While the season was a technical success, the post-show drama has cemented its legacy. The high-profile and controversial splits of both the winning couple (Justine and Caleb) and the runners-up (Cely and Johnny) fueled discussions about the authenticity of reality TV relationships and the strategic nature of coupling up for the $100,000 prize.
Ultimately, the "Love Island Las Vegas" season remains a fascinating chapter, a vibrant, neon-lit experiment that delivered intense drama, a historic win, and a cautionary tale about finding lasting love under the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip.
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