If you tuned into Love Island USA Season 5, you definitely remember the Casa Amor shakeup. It was messy. It was loud. And right in the middle of it was Isiah "Zay" Harayda.
Most fans know him as the guy who walked into the villa with Destiny Davis and left in a cloud of "friendship vibes" with Imani Wheeler. But there is a lot more to the story than just a few awkward recoupling ceremonies. Honestly, Zay was one of those contestants who felt like a bit of an outlier from the jump. While everyone else was chasing camera time and manufactured drama, Zay brought a very specific, slightly more grounded energy that didn't always mesh with the high-octane chaos of the Fiji villa.
Why Zay Love Island USA Still Keeps Fans Talking
Let's be real: Casa Amor is designed to break people. Zay entered on Day 16 as the 23-year-old executive sales rep from Long Island with a background that most reality stars don't have. He’s a military man. He’s spent years in the US Air Force, and he once hiked 50 miles through snow with a 65-pound pack. That's not exactly the resume of your typical "influence-chasing" bombshell.
When he caught Destiny's eye, it felt like a power couple in the making. Destiny was known for being incredibly selective—and let's face it, pretty difficult to please. Zay seemed like the guy who could handle that intensity.
It didn't last.
The vibe shifted almost the second they walked back into the main villa. People often blame the "Movie Night" drama, where Destiny saw clips of her former flame Mike Stark, but the friction between Zay and Destiny was deeper. You could see it in their body language. Zay wanted to talk things out like an adult, and Destiny... well, she wasn't really having it.
The Imani Twist Nobody Expected
After the Destiny disaster, Zay found himself in a weird spot. Most Casa bombshells just fade away once their initial connection dies. Instead, he ended up in a partnership with Imani Wheeler.
On paper? Stunning. In reality? Cold.
They were eventually voted the "least compatible couple" by their fellow islanders. It’s a brutal way to go out. Zay later admitted in interviews, specifically on the After the Island podcast, that he felt like he was fighting an uphill battle from the moment he stepped foot in the villa. He even mentioned that Scott van-der-Sluis (the UK crossover legend) called out their "friendship vibe" before they were even dumped.
Zay was basically the guy who tried to play the game with logic in a house fueled by pure emotion. It rarely works out.
Life After the Villa: Where Is Zay Now?
Since leaving the show in 7th place on Day 28, Zay hasn't pulled the typical reality star move of staying in the spotlight at all costs. While his castmates like Rob Rausch or Bergie have gone on to do The Traitors or return for future seasons, Zay has mostly stayed in his lane.
- He returned to his life in Tampa, Florida.
- He continues to lean into his fitness and military background.
- His Instagram is less "buy this tea" and more "here is my life."
He’s kept a relatively low profile compared to the heavy hitters of Season 5. There was some "lukewarm tea" on Reddit shortly after his exit—rumors about his past dating life—but nothing that ever gained enough steam to become a full-blown scandal.
The Reality of Being a Casa Bombshell
Zay’s journey highlights the biggest flaw in the Love Island format for guys like him. If you aren't willing to be a "character," the edit will eat you alive. Zay was authentic, sure. He was also a bit quiet. In a world of screaming matches and "Soul Ties is crazy" moments, Zay was the guy buying too much cologne and wishing he was on a hiking date.
He wasn't "boring," he was just normal. And normal doesn't usually win $100,000.
If you’re looking to follow Zay's journey post-show, your best bet is his Instagram (@zay.harayda). He’s still doing the executive sales thing and keeping up with the gym. He doesn't seem bitter about the experience, even if he did get the "friendzone" edit toward the end.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Reunion: If you haven't seen the Season 5 reunion, go back and watch the interactions between Zay and Destiny. It explains a lot of the subtext that the main episodes missed.
- Check the Podcasts: Zay’s interview on After the Island is the most candid he’s ever been about the production side of things.
- Follow the Roots: Zay is proud of his Puerto Rican, Italian, and Ukrainian heritage—he often shares bits of his family life that didn't make the final cut on Peacock.
Zay Harayda might not be the most famous name to come out of the franchise, but he remains one of the most interesting "what ifs" of Season 5. What if he had been an OG? What if he hadn't linked up with Destiny? We'll never know, but he's clearly doing just fine without the crown.
