Love Island’s TJ Palma Raves About His Romance with Iris Kendall
Love Island USA‘s TJ Palma is feeling grateful after his encounter with Iris Kendall in Fiji.
“Long-distance is treating us well, even though we’re on opposite coasts. We found a way to make it work, and we’re thriving together,” TJ, 24, exclusively told Us Weekly on Wednesday, June 11, while celebrating his collaboration with Hellmann’s Spicy Mayo. “We’re navigating this new chapter in our lives together. We’re best friends and lovers. It’s truly the relationship I’ve always envisioned, and experiencing it is surreal.”
Although TJ resides in Florida and Iris is closer to Los Angeles, they manage to meet every other week.
“She visits me or I go to her, or we plan a getaway,” TJ shared. “We make it work, and it’s been incredible.”
Even though TJ departed Love Island USA last summer before officially pairing up with Iris, they reconnected Stateside once the cameras stopped rolling. In November 2025, TJ made a grand gesture to ask Iris to be his girlfriend.
“We enjoy doing anything together, even simple trips to the grocery store,” he said. “It’s flattering that people admire us, but at the core, we’re just regular folks. Often, we prefer cozy nights in. We’re like, ‘Let’s stay home, watch a movie, and maybe build a Lego set.’ There’s nothing different about us from anyone else.”
As a fresh batch of Islanders seeks love this summer on Love Island USA, viewers might spot TJ and Iris in their new advertisement for Hellmann’s Spicy Mayo.
While the couple highlights the condiment ideal for fries, sandwiches, and summer favorites, the commercial also showcases their chemistry and fun rapport.
“We had an absolute blast filming it, and I thought the spicy mayo deserved a spicy ad,” TJ quipped. “Seeing the end result was like, ‘Wow! It really came to life!’”
With summer just starting, TJ looks forward to creating more unforgettable moments with Iris, 26.
As fans eagerly anticipate when the couple will cohabit, TJ mentioned they have discussed taking that significant step. For now, they prefer to relish the present.
“We haven’t reached a conclusion on the when, where, or how just yet,” he said. “Iris has mentioned she’s open to moving from L.A., and I’ve indicated I’d be fine moving from Tampa. We’re still working things out, but I think we’re making good progress. Moving in together is definitely on the horizon.”
Love Island USA streams new episodes on Peacock every day except Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET.
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