Iris and TJ
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Iris & TJ Blast Pepe as ‘Loser’ Over Cheating Scandal Podcast Lies

ByIssa Rae

Love Island USA stars Iris and TJ are done playing nice. In a new Beyond the Villa interview, the couple unleashes on ex-situationship Pepe after he dragged Iris on a podcast and accused her of a secret “cheating scandal.”

“Pepe is not the person that he was in the villa. Loser. Such a loser,” Iris says, the words landing like a mic drop.

The drama kicked off right after the villa when Iris ended things with Pepe and quietly rekindled with TJ.

She insists she was honest with both guys from the jump. Pepe, however, went on a podcast claiming “nobody knows the truth” about what happened between Iris and the “people involved.”

Iris and TJ call BS — they say Pepe knew exactly what was going on because footage of her reunion with TJ was already floating around.

Things got even messier on Beyond the Villa. Hannah reportedly stepped in and told Pepe he owed Iris a real conversation and an apology. When it finally came? “I’m sorry that you feel that way.” Iris and the host both shut that down as the textbook non-apology.

TJ backs his girlfriend up, revealing Pepe was basically MIA for most of the Beyond the Villa shoot.

“We actually never heard from him,” TJ says. Group trips happened without him, and rumors quickly spread that Pepe quit halfway through because he couldn’t handle watching Iris and TJ together. Iris says they’re not sure if he officially quit, but he definitely checked out.

Iris admits the podcast fallout stung at first, but now she feels “relieving” to set the record straight. She even confirms she has receipts if anyone needs proof. Six months into her relationship with TJ, she says they’re happier than ever and done letting outside noise get in the way.

Pepe wanted to control the narrative. Iris and TJ just burned it to the ground.

Issa Rae is a renowned American actress, writer, producer and creative force celebrated for her authentic storytelling and groundbreaking contributions to entertainment.

Born Jo-Issa Rae Diop on January 12, 1985, in Los Angeles, California, she graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in African and African-American Studies. Her career took off with the viral YouTube web series *The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl* (2011–2013), which she created, wrote, and starred in—earning millions of views, a Shorty Award for Best Web Show, and paving the way for diverse voices in digital media.

Building on that success, Issa Rae co-created, wrote, produced, and starred in the critically acclaimed HBO series *Insecure* (2016–2021), a Peabody Award-winning show that offered nuanced portrayals of Black womanhood, friendships, relationships, and career struggles. The series garnered multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, solidifying her as a leading voice in comedy and representation.

As a **New York Times bestselling author**, she released *The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl* (2015), a collection of essays reflecting her humor and experiences.

Through her production company Hoorae, she has executive produced projects like *A Black Lady Sketch Show*, *Rap Sh!t*, and *Sweet Life: Los Angeles*, while starring in films such as *The Photograph*, *The Lovebirds*, and more recent works including the 2025 buddy comedy *One of Them Days*.

In 2026, Issa Rae continues to expand her influence with a multi-year first-look film and television deal at Paramount, focusing on diverse, community-driven stories that resonate widely.

Her work consistently blends sharp wit, cultural insight, and unapologetic authenticity, making her one of the most influential content creators and storytellers of her generation.

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