Jalen Brown, who won over viewers on Love Island USA season 7, is now officially married to influencer Joiya Lanae (Sims). After first meeting on a Royal Caribbean content creator cruise in August 2025, the couple made their relationship public in January 2026
Jalen Brown didn’t find love in the Fiji villa—but when he got his hands on the right kind of connection, it changed everything.
On Love Island USA season 7, the Georgia native won over viewers with his personality and southern charm. Fans often felt he entered the show genuinely searching for love and a real connection. He didn’t end up with a match on the show either—while he kept his eye on Olandria Carthen as their bond grew. his time was cut short when Olandria chose Taylor Williams during a dramatic recoupling.
After leaving the villa, Jalen’s support didn’t fade. His TikTok quickly climbed from hundreds of followers to more than one million. and brands began flooding his comments with opportunities. including trips abroad. And in less than a year, one of those trips became the start of his real-life love story.
In August 2025, Royal Caribbean hosted a content creator cruise that Jalen was invited to. Joiya Lanae also attended, bringing her sisters along—fellow influencer Jayla Henry and Janae Sims, known online as Auntie Nae. The trip turned into a full family vacation. and Joiya later shared that she had originally planned to attend a concert before choosing the cruise instead.
That’s when a family friend named Kenzie reportedly stepped in and played matchmaker. Kenzie eventually gave Joiya Jalen’s number, and Joiya reached out the following day. After texting for a while, the two decided to link up on the cruise ship.
Joiya described how quickly they clicked, saying they “instantly hit it off” and spent the entire night talking onboard. Once the cruise ended, they kept getting to know each other, continuing the connection after they were no longer surrounded by the same shipboard excitement.
By January 2026, the couple was officially sharing that they were together. They continued building their relationship long-distance for nearly eight months. In April, things came “full circle” when they attended their first cruise together as a couple. Later that month, Joiya revealed she was leaving Houston and moving closer to Jalen in Georgia.
It wasn’t long after that move that the next milestone arrived.
In May, the couple took to Instagram to share a montage from their wedding day. Jalen wore a black suit, while Joiya stunned in a white dress. They also showed off their wedding rings as they celebrated the start of their new chapter together. In the caption, the newlyweds kept it simple: “The Browns.”.
Jalen later shared more photos while opening up about the life he says he always dreamed of. In one post. he wrote. “A man who truly sees your value won’t keep you guessing.” In another. he added. “2026: Married to my favorite person. in elite shape. GTA 6 finally drops in November. and life actually feels aligned.”.
Not everyone online stayed focused on the romance.
As congratulations poured in, Joiya’s sister, Auntie Nae, shared her excitement online writing, “THE USERNAME CHANGEEE HELLLOOOO?!??. congrats to my faves!!!” Joiya’s sister Jayla also celebrated the moment, writing, “HAVENT STOPPED CRYING!!!!!!!. MRS.BROWN!!!!!. I can’t believe my sister is a WIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Congratulations!. Welcome to the family brother in loveeee!. @elite.brown”.
But on TikTok, speculation started to creep in. Under Joiya’s post, one person wrote, “starting a rumor She’s due in February 2027 Congratulations my girl!!” Joiya shut it down in the comments with a direct reply: “Nope. Just in love.”
Supporters kept weighing in too, even as some critics questioned the timeline. Instagram users celebrated the match, while others admitted they thought things moved fast.
@closer to the optimism, Instagram user @n.renne1 wrote, “Love this. Why wait?. when u know they the one u know. Congrats to them 🥳” Instagram user @bragalott added. “& i hope they get to travel the world and go out the country together <3” And Instagram user @zionsymmone simply posted. “DAMN THAT WAS FAST.”.
Others tied the discussion back to their Love Island journey. Instagram user @s_sense24 wrote, “Didnt Jayla get married within 6-7months as well ??. Jalen really went on Love Island to find love. he was looking for his wife 🤷🏾♀️ Congratulations to them.” @just_tiesha wrote. “I pray it works out … there’s no way to really know someone enough. in less than a yr. to tie yourself to them in front of God and make this commitment but what do i know 🤷🏾♀️”.
There were also fans pushing back on the pregnancy rumor angle. Instagram user @xoxoxofrmwiinter wrote. “yall assuming pregnancy immediately is scary lol.” Instagram user @cocox2 added. “oh yall be picking and choosing Imao but when it’s Lala and Jay cinco it’s a problem but it’s a green light for them.” Another fan. @xoxomikyahsimone. pointed out the speed on the Love Island timeline. writing. “His season wasnt even a full year ago 🧍🏾♀️”.
Even with mixed reactions, the Sims sisters’ energy stayed consistent in the comments. Instagram user @tasheyaa wrote, “One thing about the Sims sisters?. They don’t play they gets DOWNNN 😭🤞🏾🙌🏾🥳” And @noladarling.ya posted, “They didn’t deserve you on that island!. Got his woman from the love boat 🫶🏾.”.
Taken together. the messages capture what viewers have been watching since he stepped into the villa: Jalen Brown may have left Love Island without a match. but the connection he found later—through a cruise. a phone number handed off. and a long-distance stretch that didn’t break—ended with “The Browns” written in wedding-day photos.
Love Island USA Jalen Brown Joiya Lanae Joiya Sims influencer Royal Caribbean wedding married TikTok Instagram