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One moment from Love Island USA season 7 has unexpectedly become the show’s biggest viral hit of the summer. In episode 12, a short but awkward exchange between Islander Huda Mustafa and fellow contestant Nic Vansteenberghe turned into a meme that quickly spread across TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram.
The phrase “I’m a mommy” — followed by Nic’s now-famous response, “Mamacita? Mommy? Mom of what? A dog?” — has become the foundation of one of the internet’s most widely shared audio clips in recent weeks.
The original scene, in which Huda tries to tell Nic that she is a single mother, has been reimagined in memes, recreated in TikTok by celebrities, and referenced by brands. As of June 22, 2025, Love Island USA viewers, and many who don’t even watch the show, have made “I’m a mommy” an internet phenomenon.
When did the “I’m a Mommy” moment happen on Love Island USA?
The conversation aired during Love Island USA season 7 episode 12, which premiered on June 15, 2025. In the episode, Huda Mustafa, a 24-year-old contestant from Raleigh, North Carolina, revealed to Nic Vansteenberghe that she has a four-year-old daughter.
The conversation began with Huda stating, “I’m a mommy,” which was met with confusion. Nic responded, “Mamacita? Mommy?” and then asked, “Mom of what? A dog?” forcing Huda to clarify: “A real, human child.”
The bizarre pacing and misunderstanding in the scene struck a chord with viewers. As the moment spread, viewers online began repurposing the audio into meme formats and lip-sync challenges. While the Love Island USA villa has had its share of comedic and awkward moments over the seasons, few have hit the cultural zeitgeist in the way “I’m a mommy” has.
How did it become a trend and who jumped on the bandwagon?
The meme first gained traction on TikTok, where users began recreating the scene using lip-syncs. One of the earliest viral iterations came from the official Empire State Building TikTok account, which captioned a video with: “Me to any NYC building built after me.” In the clip, the Empire State Building says, “I’m a mommy,” and the surrounding buildings respond, “Mamacita?”
After that, the meme exploded across platforms. Megan Thee Stallion and Love Island USA host Ariana Madix recreated the conversation in a TikTok video that was posted ahead of Megan’s guest appearance on the show’s June 20 episode. Megan lip-synched Nic’s lines, while Ariana played Huda. The duo’s recreation helped solidify the meme’s place in pop culture.
Other celebrities also joined in. Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang shared their version on June 21 from a dinner in Paris. Actor Lili Reinhart also posted a video lip-syncing to the meme while holding her dog, playing on the “Mom of what? A dog?” line. Brands like PetSmart used the meme in social posts, and even Love Island USA's own social accounts leaned into the trend by quoting and remixing the scene.
Additional context about Huda Mustafa and audience reaction
Huda Mustafa, who joined Love Island USA season 7 in the first episode, has faced intense scrutiny from viewers, much of it tied to her being a single mother. Some fans online have accused Huda of revealing her motherhood at strategically vulnerable moments to gain sympathy, especially when she was nearly eliminated in episode 12.
Others have expressed discomfort with her being away from her child while on a dating show. However, the criticism has often crossed into unfair territory. Since her debut, Huda has been called out not just for her gameplay but for simply participating as a mom.
In a June 16 episode, Jeremiah Brown reacted with confusion upon hearing she was a parent, saying, “You’re a mom? And you’re 24?” Later, Ace Greene told Chelley Bissainthe he felt Huda didn’t “deserve to be rewarded” for her behavior after Jalen Brown was eliminated instead of her.
Despite her polarizing presence, Huda’s attempts to open up about her daughter have often been awkward, not exploitative. Her conversation with Nic in episode 12 was a genuine, if clumsy, effort to share an important part of her life.
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Fans can stream Love Island USA on Peacock.
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