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We didn’t get a text — we got a new couple!
Just in time for the 4th of July weekend, former Love Island USA contestant Connor Newsum hard-launched his relationship with Carmen Kocourek.
“An update,” Connor wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, July 2, with a collage of photos featuring his new girlfriend.
In one of the shots, Connor leaned in for a kiss on Carmen’s cheek as they seemingly enjoyed a dinner date. Other pictures show the couple smiling from ear to ear as they spend quality time together.
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While Carmen has yet to make the relationship Instagram official, she commented with the heart and smiling face with halo emoji.
Fans first met Connor on Love Island USA season 6 in 2024. He entered the villa on Day 2 and was briefly coupled up with both JaNa Craig and Leah Kateb. He was ultimately dumped from the island on Day 15.
As for Carmen, she appeared on season 5 of the Peacock series in 2023. She entered the villa on Day 2 and came in fourth place alongside Kenzo Nudo on Day 32.
After Connor went Instagram official this week, many of Carmen’s former costars expressed excitement about the new coupling.

“Awwww cutiessss,” Leslie Golden wrote in the comments section. Johnnie Olivia added, “God she’s STUNNING.”
As for Connor’s costars, Liv Walker shared her approval by writing, “Awwwwww.”
On Sunday, July 13, Connor will join Liv and other fan favorites from Love Island USA season 6 for a new spinoff show called Love Island: Beyond the Villa.
Cameras will roll as couples including Miguel Harichi and Leah, JaNa and Kenny Rodriguez, and Serena Page and Kordell Beckham continue their love stories.
Others, like Kaylor Martin and Kendall Washington, will document their lives as single reality stars as they figure out what’s next.
According to Peacock, Love Island: Beyond the Villa promises to follow everyone’s favorite season 6 Islanders around Los Angeles as they navigate new careers, evolving friendships, newfound fame and complex relationships outside of the Love Island villa.
While it’s unclear if Connor’s new romance with Carmen will make the show, the Washington native is expected to make guest appearances throughout the season.
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“Wait im screamamamammaaming im obsessed what @carmen_kocourek,” Remi Bader wrote in the comments section of Connor’s latest post. “Treat her well or else.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Carmen and Connor’s team for additional comment.
Love Island: Beyond the Villa premieres on Peacock Sunday, July 13, with new episodes streaming every Thursday at 9 p.m. ET.