If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or lurking on Reddit lately, you’ve probably seen the name Huda Mustafa. She was, without a doubt, the lightning rod of Love Island USA Season 7. But it wasn't just her fiery arguments over pancakes or her "mom and dad of the villa" energy that had people talking. It was the "bomb" she dropped a few episodes in: Huda has a daughter.
Honestly, the internet didn't handle it well. People were split right down the middle, with some calling her manipulative for waiting to tell her partner, Jeremiah Brown, while others defended her right to privacy as a single mother. It got messy. Like, really messy.
The Secret in the Two-Bedroom Apartment
When Huda first walked into the villa, she didn't lead with her motherhood. In her intro package, she was open with the viewers, but she kept that part of her life under wraps from the guys. She even had this slightly awkward conversation with Jeremiah early on where she mentioned having a two-bedroom apartment.
He asked why. She pivoted.
Basically, Huda wanted to make sure whoever she was with was "fully invested" in her before she "spilled the beans" on having a kid. She was 24, a fitness trainer from North Carolina, and she knew the stigma that comes with being a young mom in the dating world. Especially on a show where everyone is looking for a summer fling, not necessarily a step-parenting gig.
Why the reveal felt like a "Trap" to some
When she finally told Jeremiah, the reaction was… intense. He was visibly stunned.
"You're a mom… but you're 24… how many kids?"
That was his immediate response. It wasn't necessarily mean, but you could see the gears turning. He was overwhelmed. Critics on social media, specifically in the "childfree" communities, were pretty harsh. They argued that by waiting, she took away his "informed consent" to date a parent.
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But here’s the thing: Huda had been a single mom for four years. She’d been judged before. She told the girls in the villa that she wanted to be liked for her first. It’s a classic Catch-22 for single parents. If you lead with it, you’re "just a mom." If you wait, you’re "hiding something."
Meet Arleigh: The Real Priority
The child at the center of all this noise is a five-year-old girl named Arleigh.
Huda welcomed Arleigh in July 2020 when she was just 19. On the Call Her Daddy podcast with Alex Cooper, Huda got incredibly vulnerable about how she found out she was pregnant. It wasn't some glamorous reveal. She literally took a pregnancy test in a Walmart bathroom and found out she was expecting in the parking lot.
She was in a "toxic" relationship at the time and kept the pregnancy a secret from her own mother for nearly four months.
- Birth Date: July 2020
- Father: Noah Sheline
- Current Age: 5 years old (as of mid-2025)
Huda has been vocal that Arleigh is her entire world. She does the school runs, packs the lunches, and is there for every "mean kid" pep talk. Despite the "villain" edit she might have received on TV, her life in North Carolina is very much centered around being a present, active parent.
The "Baby Daddy" Steps In
One of the most surprising twists in the Huda Love Island child saga was the involvement of Arleigh’s father, Noah Sheline. Usually, when an ex sees their former partner on a dating show, they stay quiet or join the "hate train."
Noah did the opposite.
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He took to TikTok to defend Huda while the season was airing. Even though he wasn't watching the show (and made it clear he had no interest in getting back with her), he was worried about her mental health. He basically told fans to back off because whatever they said would eventually affect his daughter.
It was a surprisingly mature move. Noah, who serves in the U.S. Army and lives in North Carolina, seems to have a solid co-parenting relationship with Huda. He even posted for Arleigh’s 5th birthday, calling her his "Princessa."
Why the Backlash Got So Dark
It didn't just stop at "I don't like her strategy." It got scary.
Huda revealed on Call Her Daddy that some "fans" actually called Child Protective Services (CPS) on her. Think about that for a second. People were so triggered by a woman being on a reality show while her child was home with her father that they tried to involve the government.
Huda’s upbringing wasn't easy, either. She spoke about having an abusive father and struggling with an eating disorder (bulimia) in her younger years. For her, Love Island was a chance to finally do something for herself after years of survival mode.
The "Mom and Dad" Dynamic
Inside the villa, Huda and Jeremiah eventually leaned into the parenting thing. They started calling themselves the "mom and dad" of the villa.
But that title backfired.
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It made their relationship feel way heavier than it actually was. While other couples were giggling and playing games, Huda and Jeremiah were dealing with high-stakes jealousy and "family" vibes. It probably contributed to why they didn't last. By the time the finale rolled around, Huda left the villa single, choosing herself and Arleigh over a forced connection.
Moving Forward After the Villa
Since the show ended, Huda hasn't slowed down. She’s been spotted with Louis Russell (from Too Hot to Handle and Perfect Match), even going "red carpet official" in late 2025.
But if you check her socials, the focus is still largely on Arleigh. She’s used her platform (which exploded to over 4 million followers) to provide for her daughter in ways she never thought possible.
The biggest takeaway here? Reality TV is a vacuum. We see 40 minutes of a 24-hour day. While people were debating her "moral character" online, Huda was just a 24-year-old trying to navigate fame, a new career, and a five-year-old who just wanted her mom back from "vacation."
Actionable Insights for Navigating Reality TV Narratives:
- Check the Source: Much of the "outrage" regarding Huda's parenting was fueled by edited clips. Always look for long-form interviews (like her podcast appearances) to get the full context.
- Respect the "Offline" Child: Remember that children of reality stars didn't sign a contract. Avoid engaging with accounts that post unconsented photos or "snark" about the kids.
- Support the Transition: If you're a fan of Huda, her fitness content and brand deals are how she's currently building a future for Arleigh. Engaging with that content is more impactful than arguing with trolls in the comments.
Huda Mustafa might have been a "villain" to some viewers, but she’s clearly the hero in her daughter's story. The "secret" wasn't really a secret—it was a woman trying to protect her peace in a world that rarely gives single moms a break.