There’s always at least one Love Island USA contestant who divides viewers, and for Season 8, that person is Melanie Moreno. The 24-year-old Los Angeles native is one of the most-talked-about Islanders of the season— some fans love her because she makes for good TV (social media is loving her “give me 10” moment), while others criticize her allegedly petty behavior toward the other girls and her partner, Sincere Rhea.
With all eyes on Melanie, it’s no wonder Love Island USA fans have been digging into her life outside the villa. Recently, they discovered that Melanie previously worked as a plus-size model. Several photos and videos of her strutting down the runway at PrettyLittleThing’s Miami Swim Week event have gone viral, sparking conversation about her transformation.
not tiktok mfs talking shit cus they found out melanie used to be plus size
mind you, she was and still so beautiful.. hitting the runways, face card valid and face on brands im sure some of yall don’t even look good while skinny so stfu#loveislandusa pic.twitter.com/a5HA3TvKhx
— Lamily 🌻🔱🗡️⚓️ (@inibofori) June 10, 2026
Many are raving about Melanie’s look both before and after, while others are calling for more body inclusivity on Love Island USA. One fan wrote on Instagram, “Is it just me or is Love Island a lil fat phobic because where tf are all the plus sized baddies?!!”
“Never seen a thick woman on Love Island btw,” another said on X, adding, “I’m wondering why they don’t cast/select them.”
Unfortunately, not all reactions have been supportive. In fact, some fans have harshly speculated that Melanie’s supposed insecurities and behaviors in the villa stem from her past as a plus-size model.
Melanie’s family, however, has denied these claims and defended her confidence. “Mel’s sister here. Melanie has always had very high self-esteem, even when she was plus-size,” her sister, Steph, commented under an Instagram post, per content creator Stephanie Tleiji.
Related: Love Island USA‘s Melanie Clarifies Sincere’s Ethnic Background
According to The Tab, Melanie’s cousin also clapped back at critics who claimed Melanie was insecure and used Ozempic to lose weight. “Melanie is my little cousin, and I can tell you it is her!!” her cousin said. “And no Ozempic. She worked hard to get her current body!!!
“She wasn’t insecure when she was plus size, and she’s not insecure now,” Melanie’s cousin continued. “People are allowed to change, grow, and become healthier without having to justify it. Her confidence didn’t come from her size; it came from knowing her worth.”
“Support women at every stage, not just the versions you’re comfortable with,” she added. “She openly shared that past relationships hurt her, and those experiences shaped how she views relationships today. It takes courage to be honest about your pain, not weakness.”
New episodes of Love Island USA drop Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays on Peacock at 9 p.m. EST.