Who is Melanie Moreno?

Last updated July 13, 2026

Melanie Moreno, a Wilhelmina plus-size model and bikini store manager from North Philadelphia, was chosen by Sincere Rhea on night one of Love Island USA Season 8 — and after a season of tests, the couple finished third at the July 12, 2026 finale.

Quick facts

Age: 24
Hometown: North Philadelphia, PA (lives in Los Angeles)
Job: Bikini store manager; Wilhelmina plus-size model
Season entry: Day 1 islander, chosen by Sincere Rhea
Couple: Sincere Rhea (final 4)
Finale: July 12, 2026 on Peacock — $100,000 prize

Why people are searching for Melanie Moreno

Melanie and Sincere placed third at the Love Island USA Season 8 finale on July 12, 2026 — a couple that outlasted a forced split, Casa Amor, and Movie Night, even if the $100,000 went to Trinity and Bryce.

About Melanie Moreno

Melanie Moreno was at the center of Love Island USA Season 8's first dramatic moment before the opening night was over. Both she and Aniya Harvey stepped forward for Sincere Rhea at the initial coupling, and Sincere chose Melanie, leaving Aniya unchosen. The 24-year-old, raised in North Philadelphia and of Dominican heritage, is fluent in English and Spanish and has lived in Los Angeles since 2023, where she manages a bikini store. Before joining the Peacock series — the 2026 season filmed in Fiji and hosted by Ariana Madix — she signed with Wilhelmina as a plus-size model, walked in a PrettyLittleThing show during Miami Swim Week 2022, and founded her own mental-health-focused fashion brand, MORE SPORT STUDIO.

The couple's early weeks were rocky. When bombshell Sol Dean arrived, Sincere pursued Sol behind Melanie's back, and an America's vote in Episode 9 briefly split the pair — Sincere with Sol, Melanie with Corbin. They found their way back in the love-letter recoupling in Episode 13.

Casa Amor tested them again. Melanie got to know bombshell Corey Sawyer Jr. but chose to stay loyal, and both she and Sincere recommitted when the villas reunited. Then came Movie Night, when Melanie watched the full scope of Sincere's behavior — including his Casa Amor flirtation with Amora Robinson — played back on screen, and the pair had to work through serious trust issues.

They survived it all. Melanie and Sincere reached the final four alongside Aniya Harvey and Carl Schmidt, Trinity Tatum and Bryce Dettloff, and Kayda Bosse and Zach Georgiou, then placed third at the live finale on Peacock on Sunday, July 12, 2026. The $100,000 went to Trinity and Bryce, but for a couple America once voted apart, third read like vindication.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Melanie Moreno on Love Island USA?

Melanie Moreno is a 24-year-old bikini store manager and Wilhelmina plus-size model from North Philadelphia, now based in Los Angeles. A Day 1 islander on Season 8, she's been coupled with Sincere Rhea for most of the season.

Are Melanie and Sincere still together?

Yes — they were still a couple at the July 12, 2026 finale, where they finished third. They weathered a brief split by America's vote, the Casa Amor tests, and the Movie Night revelations along the way.

Did Melanie stay loyal during Casa Amor?

She did. Melanie got to know bombshell Corey Sawyer Jr. but chose not to recouple, and she and Sincere recommitted once the villas reunited.

Is Melanie in the Love Island USA Season 8 finale?

She was. Melanie and Sincere competed in the July 12, 2026 finale and placed third, behind winners Trinity and Bryce and runners-up Aniya and Carl.