Who won Too Hot to Handle Spain? Jose and Nerea's love story explored

Too Hot to Handle Spain
Too Hot to Handle Spain | Image Source: YouTube (via Netflix España)

On June 13, 2025, Jose Buogo and Nerea Villanueva won the Too Hot to Handle Spain finale on Netflix. After displaying incredible personal growth and sincere romantic development, the couple defeated fellow finalists Coco and Melania. Out of the initial €100,000 prize fund for the event, they took home €64,000 for their triumph. In the Spanish version, ten gorgeous singles first think they are filming a casual dating series called "Masters of Seduction." This is the franchise's hallmark format. However, once initial connections form, virtual assistant Lana reveals the true challenge: participants must develop meaningful relationships while avoiding physical intimacy.

Set in a luxurious Spanish villa, the show cuts money from the prize pool every time someone breaks the no-physical-contact rule. It’s all about testing if modern-day singles can build real emotional connections instead of just giving in to physical attraction. Jose, a 33-year-old bodyguard, and Nerea, a 26-year-old model and beauty queen, stood out by opening up and showing real vulnerability.

Both viewers and the ousted contestants were pleased by their journey from immediate chemistry to deeper commitment, and they unanimously voted them the winners. The eliminated participants recognized the couple's authentic growth, validating their approach of choosing communication and trust over immediate gratification.

Who are Too Hot to Handle Spain’s Jose and Nerea and what have their journeys been like so far?

Nerea Villanueva brought impressive credentials as the seventh contestant to enter the villa. The reigning Miss Intercontinental Madrid 2023 has built a successful modeling career with brands including Maria Diezma Atelier, Brookletss, and Joyería Los Lobatos.

Her pageant background provided natural poise that immediately caught attention from both Jose and Spanish audiences watching at home.

Jose Buogo entered sixth, bringing unique professional experience as a private bodyguard. His high-profile client roster includes international stars Marc Anthony, Ozuna, Brazilian footballer Vinícius Júnior, and Argentine producer Bizarrap.

Despite his tough exterior, Jose revealed surprising emotional depth that set him apart from other male contestants throughout the competition.

The couple's connection sparked immediately during their first evening together on Too Hot to Handle Spain. While contestants still believed they were participating in a straightforward dating show, Jose and Nerea chose to share a bed, signaling instant mutual attraction.

Lana's revelation about the true premise created immediate challenges for the pair. The strict physical contact prohibition put their natural chemistry to the ultimate test.

Despite genuine efforts to follow regulations, they couldn't resist sharing kisses and intimate moments. These rule violations resulted in monetary deductions that frustrated other villa residents.

Fellow Too Hot to Handle Spain contestants criticized them for jeopardizing the collective prize fund, but Jose and Nerea's bond only strengthened under pressure.

Midway through filming Too Hot to Handle Spain, Lana offered the couple a unique opportunity to redeem themselves. Their demonstrated personal growth earned them access to the honeymoon suite with one crucial stipulation.

If they could spend an entire night together without any physical contact, the money they'd lost through previous violations would be restored to the group fund.

The challenge proved too difficult, and they failed to maintain complete restraint. However, this experience became a pivotal moment in their relationship evolution on Too Hot to Handle Spain.

Rather than focusing solely on physical attraction, they began prioritizing deeper emotional intimacy and open communication.

As elimination approached, Nerea posed a defining question during one of their romantic beachside conversations. She asked Jose whether he would be willing to continue their relationship beyond the villa's artificial environment.

Jose answered without any hesitation: absolutely yes.

Their commitment to exploring real-world possibilities impressed judges and fellow contestants alike. The couple secured spots in the final four alongside Coco and Melania.

When eliminated Too Hot to Handle Spain participants voted for the pair showing the most authentic transformation, and the decision was unanimous. Jose and Nerea had demonstrated genuine growth that transcended typical reality TV romance.

Victory and beyond for Jose and Nerea

Their emotional development earned them the title and the remaining prize money of €64,000. The reduced amount reflected various rule breaks by all contestants during the season.

The triumph of Jose and Nerea confirmed their strategy of putting emotional ties ahead of physical appeal. They stood out from other couples who found it difficult to deal with the show's restrictions because they were eager to be open and vulnerable.

Produced by Fremantle España and directed by Paco Novales, the Spanish version, Too Hot to Handle Spain, effectively adapted the franchise model while demonstrating genuine relationship development in difficult situations.


You can stream Too Hot to Handle Spain exclusively on Netflix, with all eight episodes premiering on June 13, 2025.

Edited by Sugnik Mondal