Critic’s Rating: 4.3 / 5.0
4.3
All American has always featured a messy, soapy vortex, and the new generation has my attention.
Amina Sims had her eye on two guys since All American Season 7, and she finally decided which one she wanted.
But it wasn’t a simple love triangle, and her decision will affect many characters for the rest of the series.

In All American Season 8 Episode 4, viewers learned the secrets Amina and KJ were keeping, including flashbacks of a romantic dance they shared.
There was more than one reason Amina felt safe relying on him more than on anyone else, and that realization affected Khalil. So much so that he shared his suspicions with Tori.
Besides the teens, both Layla and Coop contemplated the happiness of their lives and how to achieve it.
Amina Leaned on KJ for Good Reason
This was ultimately Amina’s centric. She showed she believed in championing her cause when we learned that she had written a scathing article about an ICE raid at Dimsburg.
It seemed like Amina didn’t have many close friends at school after that since she planned a formal dance up there, but no one had invited her.

I loved that KJ visited Amina and pretended it was an impromptu trip. It was obvious that he came to be her date, but that he needed a break from visitation with his mom. He hated his parents’ separation.
All American killed it with the choreographed dance routine yet again. These dance sequences were amazing, and KJ took care in planning his attire.
It looked like a fairytale setting, and Amina choreographed love across time. She wasn’t going to dance, but KJ wouldn’t let her miss it.
He always comes through for her, and these scenes will be some of the most memorable for them.
Too Many People Were Involved in Amina’s Business

Too many people were concerned about Amina’s business. Very few had that right. Coop had a right to be suspicious since she lives with Preach and Coop and is practically family.
She’s well-versed in recognizing when teens lie.
However, while Khalil may have believed he was being a caring friend by warning Tori, he only made things worse. It wasn’t his business if KJ and Amina were keeping a secret, especially about her expulsion from school.
Amina was a smart girl. She knew how to play that card and ensure that Tori felt sorry for her rather than angry.
I blame Khalil more than Tori. He should have kept his mouth shut. He acted all offended and hurt that Amina confided in KJ versus him or Preach.

Amina can have other friends. Instead of talking to her discreetly, he now made Tori suspicious and probably hurt her feelings, too.
Tori wants to keep KJ to herself, but she’s a decent person, too. The vortex is about to become messy, and Khalil opened the can of worms.
Layla and Coop Fought for Their Happiness
Layla has always feared turning into her parents, and enjoying being on tour alone scared her. She loves her father, but she wanted to be a better spouse and future parent.
That’s something All American has always done well – shown that you can love your parents, but still want to be different than them.
JP may not have seen Layla much, but he knew something was off when she tried to play 20 questions with him.

She didn’t want to admit her fear of becoming like him and hurting her dad, but JP thought that if Layla recognized the issues in her marriage, she was already a step ahead.
I’d love to see Layla balance a career and becoming a mom. She used to fear becoming a parent because of her mental illness, but she has so much love to give.
We’ve seen her with Khalil. I’d love to see her mother a daughter.
Coop has always fought for the underdog, so I understood why Amina and Layla questioned some of her decisions.
Coop has become a fancy-pants lawyer with an elegant girlfriend. She’s evolved, but she still craves approval from those in her tribe.

Only Coop would think that throwing a last-minute family dinner would be a good idea.
There’s almost always drama, secrets, and flared tempers at these events, so I’m looking forward to seeing what this one will bring.
Are KJ and Amina Destined to be the Next Big Couple on All American?
That cliffhanger said it all. We may not know how much Tori heard, but she looked suspicious after both KJ and Amina referred to the same quote: “Time reveals truth.”
There’s something off in their relationships if KJ and Amina keep running towards each other whenever their worlds crash.

It’s telling that when KJ thought his family and his football future were being ripped apart, he sought out Amina.
I’m glad they’re addressing it because good friends don’t slowdance and kiss like that.
I loved that gazebo scene since KJ and Amina sizzled with chemistry, but they were so emotional and messy.
I was always torn on who I wanted Amina paired with, but tonight’s episode totally sold me on KJ and Amina.
Those two have chemistry and a connection, and if others were already commenting that Amina and KJ should be long-term, I see the series steamrolling these two until the end.

Part of me felt sorry for Tori. She’s a nice girl, but maybe the series will pair her with Khalil, since they’ve spent more time together lately talking about KJ and Amina.
Over to you, All American Fanatics. Were you excited that KJ and Amina finally kissed? Are you rooting for them to become a couple? What will happen when everyone learns why Amina was expelled?
Let us know in the comments.
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Amina’s secret is finally revealed on All American Season 8 Episode 4 and she and KJ share a moment, but will it be revealed?
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