If we were to power-rank seasons of Love Island USA, then season six would be the undisputed winner. American Love Island aired its first season on CBS in 2019, but even when it moved to Peacock in 2022 for season four, it failed to capture an audience. This year, however, even Love Island U.K. purists turned their heads for the Peacock bombshell, helping the show double its ratings and launching its contestants to an immediate and unprecedented level of fame.
However, this is still a reality TV show. While some reality stars go on to dominate the TV circuit for years to come, and some coast by on podcasts, others fade into the background like their Instagram giveaways we never see the winners of. Love Island USA season six had some memorable characters, but how will they fare outside the villa?
This power ranking takes a look at the contestants’ most notable moments after the show, from brand deals to podcast shade to the breakups we all saw coming. Just like in the villa, Leah Kateb, Serena Page, and JaNa Craig have stolen the show on TikTok, taking their new fans along with them for Calabasas sleepovers and trips to NYC, and Kaylor Martin immediately started drama after shit-talking Kateb in the background of Aaron Evans’ Instagram Live. Rob Rausch, lone wolf that he is, still pulled off collabs with major influencers from Nessa Barret to the Empire State Building and, in a sentence never spoken before in human history, TikTokker Remi Bader moderated a panel of the cast at the 92nd Street Y. These Islanders are Online — but are they in it for the long haul? Anyone who remembers the words “Hawk Tuah†knows how fickle internet stardom can be. Of the Love Island USA season-six cast, who will wind up clamoring for relevance on Tubi, and who will be taking calls from Netflix and Hulu wanting to give them a reality show of their own?
11. Andrea Paola Carmona
Placed: Eliminated in episode 12
Instagram followers: 304,000
Their big one (on the show): Andrea entered as a bombshell and stole Rob from Leah, putting an end to what many fans still cling to as an unfinished love story.
Their big one (post show): While Andrea was quiet on the show, she returned to social media with the enthusiasm of a BuzzFeed millennial. “Is Rob a good kisser?†a fan asked during one of her many TikTok lives. She answered “yes†with a spin and finger guns, a move that was not only mocked across TikTok, but by her fellow Islanders onstage.
What reality show we want to see them on next: A day in the life vlog no one asked for.
10. Kendall Washington
Placed: Fourth place finalist with Nicole Jacky
Instagram followers: 413,000
Their big one (on the show): While Kendall didn’t make too many waves in his own relationship, he was a toxic wingman in Casa Amor, amping up all the men to cheat while he remained loyal.
Their big one (after the show): As soon as Kendall exited the villa, intimate footage he sent someone on a dating app before going on the show got leaked, putting stress on his relationship with Nicole. He seems ready to leave reality life behind, already returning to his job in medical devices.
What reality show we want to see them on next: Couples Therapy
9. Nicole Jacky
Placed: Fourth place finalist with Kendall Washington
Instagram followers: 429,000
Their big one (on the show): Other than some early drama with Miguel, Nicole’s time on Love Island was inoffensive. However, the cracks started showing the moment she realized she and Kendall weren’t winning.
Their big one (after the show): After leaving the villa, Nicole’s relationship with Kendall was heavily scrutinized, but it wasn’t until the reunion that she spoke on it directly. “This just puts me in such a fucked position,†she said of the leak, and was frustrated that Kendall initially lied to her about when the video was taken. Viewers felt she was being dismissive of Kendall’s trauma, but she went on to double down on Nick Viall’s podcast: “I kind of want him to own it a little bit, even though it’s a fucked up thing,’†she said, and entertained Viall’s thinly-veiled allusions to Kendall being closeted (“I felt like I was talking to a guy who’s truly not comfortable with who he is, whoever that person is, he just don’t seem comfortable enough to show that to the world,†Viall said.) Instead of garnering sympathy, she took a mid-level post-Love Island influencer career and instead tanked her public opinion.
What reality show we want to see them on next: The Mole
8. Aaron Evans
Placed: Eliminated with Kaylor Martin in episode 34
Instagram followers: 366,000
Their big one (on the show): As OG islanders, Aaron and Kaylor settled down early — but come Casa Amor, Aaron made the shock move of pursuing Daniella Ortiz. He ultimately recoupled with Kaylor, but the details of his betrayal came out during a dramatic Movie Night, and have dogged their relationship ever since.
Their big one (after the show): Aaron continued to hide Casa details from Kaylor all the way to the reunion, when he revealed he had also put his hand down Daniella’s pants. Needless to say, they’ve split, and Aaron is back in England, battered and ashamed.
What reality show we want to see them on next: If you’ve made it through The Traitors UK and Love Island US, then there’s only one word for you: Survivor.
7. Liv Walker
Placed: Eliminated in episode 27
Instagram followers: 937,000
Their big one (on the show): Being Australian, and claiming Leah Kateb did not “take a backseat†in their decision to dump Andrea.
Their big one (after the show): While Liv never found the right guy in the villa, she’s been spotted palling around with basketball player Jacob Toppin in NYC. Mostly, though, her job has remained the same: Bigging up the girls and shit-talking the boys.
What reality show we want to see them on next: Love Island Games — she won’t find love, but she makes great TV.
6. Kaylor Martin
Placed: Eliminated with Aaron Evans in episode 34
Instagram followers: 609,000
Their big one (on the show): FAWWWWKK, AARON!
Their big one (after the show): FAWWWWKK, AARON! Kaylor been forced to endure shouts of her now-infamous catch phrase at seemingly every press stop but, if that’s what caused her to snap, at least she took it out on Aaron. The pair broke up for good following the reunion, and instead she took Liv back with her to Pennsylvania.
What reality show we want to see them on next: If they ever bring back FBoy Island, this girl likes e-boys …
5. Rob Rausch
Placed: Eliminated with Kassy Castillo in episode 34
Instagram followers: 1.3 million
Their big one (on the show): This snake wrangler and former Casa Boy from season five returned to the villa for season six, only to spend most of his time there being indifferent to women in his overalls. This meant, of course, that he was the hottest commodity.
Their big one (after the show): Rob exited the villa immediately into the Call Her Daddy podcast studio, where we learned that no — that toxic, unaffected demeanor is not an act. And yet, he’s remained in the good graces of all the women around him: Leah Kateb, Alex Cooper, and musician beabadoobee, who he joined on Instagram Live.
What reality show we want to see them on next: The most toxic season of The Bachelor
4. Kordell Beckham
Placed: Winner with Serena Page
Instagram followers: 955,000
Their big one (on the show): He entered as Odell Beckham Jr.’s brother, but left as a season-six winner with his half of the $100,000 prize in his pocket. However, dancing with his suitcase will always be his legacy.
Their big one (after the show): Yes, Kordell’s the most fashionable of the bunch, and will probably get some modeling deals from it, but none of that matters because he’s already completed his long term goal of partnering with Cheez-Its.
What reality show we want to see them on next: The Masked Singer
3. JaNa Craig
Placed: Third place finalist with Kenny Rodriguez
Instagram followers: 1.5 million
Their big one (on the show): Spiritual den mother and one third of the Love Island PPG (Powerpuff Girls) alongside Leah and Serena
Their big one (after the show): Gersh, the talent agency whose roster includes Jacob Elordi and Sofia Coppola on their roster, snapped up both JaNa and Serena almost as soon as their plane left Fiji — and, after JaNa came to the reunion armed with a full word document of receipts, it’s clear they put their eggs in the right basket.
What reality show we want to see them on next: Whatever it is, she’ll be the host of it.
2. Serena Page
Placed: Winner with Kordell Beckham
Instagram followers: 2 million
Their big one (on the show): She won $50,000, made her bed, and she humped in it, too.
Their big one (after the show): In addition to coming out to universal fan support, Serena was quickly snapped up — not just by Gersh Agency, but also Beyoncé, who featured the star in a video for her Cécred hair-care line.
What reality show we want to see them on next: Dancing With The Stars — only the classiest of shows for my winner.
1. Leah Kateb
Placed: Second place finalist alongside Miguel Harichi
Instagram followers: 3 million
Their big one (on the show): From carrying the series with notable one-liners to bringing “big one†into the zeitgeist, losing out on $50,000 is no sweat to someone who now has sixty times that in followers.
Their big one (after the show): Leah left the villa expecting to be a villain but instead was welcomed with open arms by Call Her Daddy, United Talent Agency, and the millions of viewers for every single TikTok vlog released by their Calabasas queen.
What reality show we want to see them on next: Her own.
Correction: An earlier version of this post incorrectly identified Kenny Rodriguez.