Huda Mustafa strutted into the Love Island USA villa on 3 June 2025 with confidence, heels—and a name that immediately sparked online confusion. Within minutes, social media users were wrongly linking her to global beauty mogul Huda Kattan.

But fans quickly realised they'd got it wrong. Mustafa, 24, is a personal trainer from Raleigh, North Carolina, and a single mum—not the founder of Huda Beauty. There's no billion-dollar brand here, just a woman taking a shot at love on national television.

Who is Huda Mustafa?

By profession, Mustafa is a fitness coach. Her online presence includes workout routines, motivational posts and glimpses of life with her four-year-old daughter, Arleigh. Long before the villa lights turned on, she was juggling client sessions and school runs.

Single mums rarely make it onto reality dating shows, let alone ones who are open about their vulnerabilities. That honesty has made her a standout—even in a cast packed with drama.

When Did She Join Love Island?

Mustafa debuted in the premiere of Season 7, which began airing in early June. As one of the original islanders, she quickly turned heads with fellow contestant Jeremiah Brown. But the spark fizzled when Jeremiah recoupled with Iris Kendall.

Heartbroken and unfiltered, Huda showed her emotions. She cried. She confronted. She didn't hide behind a facade. Viewers were divided—some labelled her 'too much,' while others praised her for being the 'realest' person on screen.

Where Did the Beauty Mogul Confusion Come From?

The mix-up began online. After her appearance, fans Googled her name and were directed to Huda Kattan, the founder of Huda Beauty. Speculation spread fast, despite no connection being mentioned on the show and Mustafa never claiming any link.

The internet loves a narrative, even when it's false. In reality, Mustafa was navigating heartbreak in a televised villa—not running a global beauty empire.

Who's Supporting Her?

In a surprising twist, her ex-boyfriend and father of her daughter, U.S. Army serviceman Noah Sheline, spoke out in her defence. Posting online, he urged viewers to show compassion: 'She's doing her best,' he wrote, adding that reality TV and co-parenting don't exactly mix.

His comment helped reshape public perception. Fans began to see Huda not as a dramatic contestant but as a single mum under immense pressure—just trying to get through it.

How Is She Being Perceived Outside the Villa?

Since the season began, Mustafa has become more than just another islander. Reactions online have been intense—but layered. While some criticised her emotional openness, others deeply related to her journey.

On TikTok, users have stitched her clips with personal stories of single motherhood and fresh starts. On Instagram, the hashtag #TeamHuda is growing—not because she's flawless, but because she's not pretending to be.

She's not performing. She's not trying to win the internet. She's just trying. And that raw honesty is resonating—particularly with women who know what it's like to balance heartbreak, parenting and hope for a second chance.

Why Does Huda Mustafa Matter?

Because she's breaking the mould. Love Island has rarely been a space for mothers or those who arrive fully themselves. Mustafa has done both—on her own terms.

She isn't Huda Beauty. She's not selling a brand. She's showing up as who she is. And in a genre known for surface-level perfection, that might be the most powerful thing of all.

Originally published on IBTimes UK

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Love island