Top moments from 'Love Island USA' Season 7, from NicOlandria to 'I pick Clarke'

The "Love Island USA" Season 7 reunion is finally here, marking an end to an epic summer of romance and drama.

Hosted by Ariana Madix and Andy Cohen, the special episode of the reality dating series airs on Monday, Aug. 25, at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock. Fans' hearts will be racing as the islanders unpack controversial moments, friendship fallout and their relationship statuses.

If you're looking for a refresher ahead of the reunion, or if you're just looking to reminisce, USA TODAY gathered some of the most memorable moments from Season 7. Here's what to know.

America votes to break up Jeremiah and Huda

When "Love Island USA" opened up the voting to viewers, many fans were transparent online about breaking up Huda and Jeremiah, who had been locked in since the first episode and hadn't explored connections outside of their couple. Huda had deemed her couple "the strongest" in the villa.

Following the recoupling based on America's votes, Charlie, Huda and Taylor were left on the chopping block. Their fellow islanders had to choose who would be eliminated. An emotional Huda was selected by Ace and Nic, who criticized her and Jeremiah for their lack of effort in getting to know other people early in the process.

However, it was Charlie who was ultimately dumped after receiving votes from Chelley, Cierra and Amaya. Taylor received one vote from Austin.

The outcome put more of a strain on Huda and Jeremiah's relationship. Tears were flowing, and Huda questioned why America would decide to split them up. She was also upset that he had failed to comfort her after the elimination, which almost sent her home.

Tensions worsened after the new couples, including Jeremiah and Iris, were sent on romantic dates outside the villa. When Jeremiah returned, Huda overheard him telling the rest of the boys he was done with her after he had eavesdropped on her conversation in the shower the previous night.

"By all means, explore," Huda told him in front of the other male islanders, before appearing to flick her middle finger.

At the end of the episode, Huda told Jeremiah during an intense conversation, "The worst possible scenario where I needed you, you weren't there."

"I was checked out," Jeremiah responded. "I was not able to be there. I just had nothing left to give anybody."

Jeremiah, Hannah dumping

During Episode 18, the islanders were informed that America had been voting for their favorite individual girl and boy islanders, leaving those with the fewest votes at the risk of being dumped.

For the girls, Olandria, Cierra, Chelley and Huda were saved, leaving Amaya, Iris and Hannah on the chopping block.

For the boys, Taylor, Nic and Ace were shielded from elimination, leaving Jeremiah, Pepe and Austin at risk.

The safe islanders had to decide who to send home. The girls made a jaw-dropping move by choosing Hannah while the boys decided Jeremiah should get the boot.

The dumping came after Hannah developed a strong connection with Pepe, and as Jeremiah was getting to know Andreina after the longstanding drama with his previous partner, Huda.

The 'NicOlandria' twist

Islanders Olandria and Nic were paired after being dumped in Episode 20. Neither was selected to recouple with new castmates known as a "bombshells."

However, in a pivotal twist in Episode 21, Olandria and Nic were picked up in a car and taken to a secret garden. Faced with the option to join forces and couple up or officially leave the show, they decided to couple up and were able to return to the villa.

At one point in the villa − while Olandria was still trying to keep Taylor from turning his head and while Nic was thinking about Cierra − the two decided to explore whether they had a romantic connection.

"I think there's a strong physical connection between Olandria and I," Nic said in his confessional. "She's one of the most attractive women I've ever seen in my lifetime."

The two eventually shared a passionate kiss, but they later mutually agreed in Episode 22 that they were just friends.

The stars re-aligned for NicOlandria stans when they recoupled in Episode 30 after Nic's previous connection, Cierra, was removed from the show, and Olandria's relationship with Taylor came to an end.

"The signs were there, were we just purposely oblivious to it?" Olandria asked Nic after the recoupling ceremony. "I'm just ready to navigate this new experience with you the right way this time without all the crazy drama surrounding it."

Heart Rate Challenge

Things got too steamy after the now-viral "Hearts on Fire" event, better known as the Heart Rate Challenge, when Chelley expressed her distaste for Huda's sexy performance toward her connection Ace.

While speaking with Amaya and Andreina, Huda said she didn't understand why Chelley was upset.

"Everybody's always like 'It's just a challenge.' The second I actually do something during a challenge, it's a problem," Huda explained, referencing the games contestants often play on the show known as "challenges."

Chelley told Olandria, Cierra and Iris: "I'm annoyed because I feel like there's not a certain level of respect that's there, especially her being the type of person who tried to set all these boundaries when it came to Jeremiah. You didn't return none of that favor. I don't feel like I'm wrong for feeling like that. "

At the start of Episode 25, Huda asked Chelley to chat, but Chelley declined. The moment was controversial on the show and at the center of online discourse post-Villa.

'I pick Clarke'

While still exploring his connection with Olandria, Taylor began to develop a romantic relationship with Casa Amor bombshell, Clarke.

The two were getting cozy, but things got complicated when it was revealed that Nic and Olandria were able to recouple and stay in the main villa. With Olandria back in the game, tensions rose as Taylor was left to decide which girl he wanted to choose.

Later, during the "Stand on Business" challenge in Episode 26, someone asked Taylor how his weeks-long connection with Olandria quickly changed when Clarke entered the picture just days before. He went on to explain how Clarke gives him “a kid feeling."

Taylor was asked to make up his mind, to which he responded, “I pick Clarke,” in front of the other islanders.

The interaction became one of the standout scenes of the series. The saying, “I pick Clarke,” was trending on TikTok.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Top moments from 'Love Island USA' Season 7, from NicOlandria to 'I pick Clarke'

Reporting by Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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