If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Twitter lately, you’ve probably seen the memes. Specifically, the "I'm a mommy" clip that basically broke the reality TV corner of the internet. Huda Mustafa didn't just walk into the Love Island USA villa; she effectively renovated it with her own brand of high-octane drama and unapologetic intensity. But since she hit the screen in Season 7, fans have been scrambling to figure out her backstory.
Honestly, it’s not just about what city she lives in. People are fascinated by the cultural layers she brought to a show that, let’s be real, usually feels a bit one-dimensional.
Where is Huda from Love Island from originally?
Huda is a North Carolina native through and through. Specifically, she hails from the Triangle area, having grown up in Chapel Hill and eventually settling down in Raleigh. If you’re a local, you might even recognize her as a graduate of East Chapel Hill High School (Class of 2018).
Before she was "Hurricane Huda" on Peacock, she was a theater kid. She actually performed in the Summer Youth Conservancy at Playmakers Theatre, even landing the role of Roxy in Cabaret. It’s funny how that stage presence clearly translated to the villa, isn't it?
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Her Palestinian-American Roots
Beyond the geography, Huda’s heritage is a major part of her identity. She is Palestinian-American, and she didn't shy away from that on the show. You might have noticed her Allah necklace or her Arabic tattoos.
Her background has been a point of massive discussion among fans. In a recent interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast with Alex Cooper, Huda got incredibly vulnerable about her upbringing. She talked about the struggle of being a Middle Eastern girl in a North Carolina school system where she often felt like an outsider. She even shared some pretty heavy stories about being bullied and called names because of her Muslim faith and Palestinian roots.
The Raleigh Connection: Her Life as a "Mommy"
The "City of Oaks" (that’s Raleigh for the non-locals) is where Huda builds her life today. While the show painted her as a firebrand, her real-life "from" story is centered around her daughter, Arleigh.
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Living in Raleigh, Huda works as a personal trainer and online fitness coach. If you’ve seen her Instagram, you know she doesn't play around when it comes to the gym. She’s built a massive following—hitting over a million followers during her stint—by showing off her own fitness journey and helping other women "reclaim their strength."
Why her hometown matters for the show
There's something about that Southern-ish upbringing mixed with Middle Eastern values that made her such a polarizing figure. On one hand, she has that blunt, no-nonsense attitude you often see in fitness pros. On the other, she was navigating the villa as a single mother, a detail she famously kept under wraps during the first few days.
When she finally told contestant Nic Vansteenberghe, "I'm a mommy," and he thought she meant she owned a pug? That became the most viral moment of the season. It perfectly highlighted the gap between Huda’s "real world" in Raleigh and the "bubble" of the villa.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Huda's Origins
It’s easy to look at a reality star and assume they’re just "from" wherever the casting director found them. But Huda’s story is a bit more complex.
- She isn't just a "bombshell": While she entered the show with that title, her roots in North Carolina theater and her Palestinian heritage give her a depth that some other contestants lacked.
- The "Villain" Edit: Many viewers labeled her a villain because of her territorial behavior with Jeremiah Brown. But if you look at her background—the bullying she faced and her protective nature as a mom—her "defensiveness" starts to look more like a survival mechanism.
- The Motherhood Secret: People wondered why she didn't lead with being a mom. Honestly? Being a 24-year-old single mom in the dating world is hard enough without the cameras. She wanted to be seen as Huda first, not just "the mom."
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re looking to keep up with Huda now that the cameras have stopped rolling, here is what you need to know about her current moves in North Carolina and beyond:
- Follow the Fitness Journey: She’s most active on Instagram and TikTok under the handle @hudabubbaaa. She posts a lot of gym content that is actually pretty technical—no fluff.
- Check her Coaching: She runs an online coaching business that focuses on muscle strengthening and nutrition. She frequently mentions that her goal is to make the gym less intimidating for women.
- The Podcast Rounds: If you want the "unfiltered" version of her story, her Call Her Daddy episode is a must-listen. She goes into way more detail about her family life and the mental health toll the show took on her.
- Local Raleigh Life: She’s often seen around the Triangle area. Despite the fame, she’s stayed pretty grounded in her hometown, focusing on raising Arleigh and growing her brand.
Huda Mustafa might have been one of the most controversial figures in Love Island history, but knowing where she’s from helps bridge the gap between the "character" on screen and the woman in North Carolina. She’s a mom, a theater nerd, a fitness coach, and a Palestinian-American woman just trying to navigate a very public life.
Whether you loved her or hated her, you can't deny she made the season unforgettable.
Next Step: You might want to check out her latest fitness guides on her website if you're looking to start a new routine.