Kenny and Kaylor Hope ‘Love Island USA’ Fans “Can Relate to Us More” in ‘Beyond the Villa’

Love Island USA season six stars Kenny Rodriguez and Kaylor Martin are ready to show the world there’s more to them than what fans saw in the Villa last year.

After the Peacock reality series became a sensation last summer, Rodriguez and Martin left the Villa with not only love (though Martin and Aaron Evans broke up shortly after the season ended), but millions more followers on social media and blooming career opportunities.

However, they’re excited to give Love Island USA fans a peek inside their daily lives and relationships (as Rodriguez is still in a couple with JaNa Craig, who he met in the Villa) in the new Peacock spinoff series, Love Island: Beyond the Villa.

“I hope they see us more as people, that they can relate to us more,” Rodriguez tells The Hollywood Reporter of the new show. “The Villa is a special place, it’s a special environment. Now that we’re outside, we go through ups and downs, we have issues. We have conflict, and hopefully viewers can see how we overcome them.”

Beyond the Villa also features season six Islanders Leah Kateb, Serena Page, Craig, Evans, Connor Newsum, Liv Walker and Kendall Washington, as well as appearances from other former Islanders.

Below, Martin unpacks the drama with her best friend Liv, reuniting with Aaron at the beginning of Beyond the Villa, and Rodriguez opens up about growing his relationship with JaNa Craig over the past year.

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What do you hope Love Island USA fans, who got to know you last year in the Villa, take away from the spinoff and each of you now?

KAYLOR MARTIN Oh, that’s a heavy question. I hope they still all really like us (Laughs). I hope they enjoy watching us. 

Kaylor, was it difficult to have those feelings you had for Aaron while in the Villa resurface when you reunited to film Beyond the Villa?

MARTIN Yeah, it wasn’t easy. It was weird because he was out of country, out of sight, out of mind, and then my reality kind of hit me in the face again whenever we all got back together. But overall I don’t want to punch him in the face (Laughs) — what happened happened and let’s move on and get past it. 

Kenny, what has it been like going from meeting JaNa in the Villa to growing your relationship in the real world a year later?

KENNY RODRIGUEZ Man, it’s been incredible. The first thing that comes to mind is the experiences that we’ve had, the places we’ve traveled. Everywhere from Japan to France, most recently, those experiences are priceless and to do it with somebody that you love and somebody as amazing as her. I think the time that we have in this show, our relationship blossoms. Outside of the show, we haven’t gotten to spend two months, two and a half months just together in each other’s presence, and we definitely grew. 

Kaylor, can you unpack the rough patch you went through with Liv at the beginning of Beyond the Villa, and whether having a falling out with her hurt more than one with a guy?

MARTIN A hundred times more, yes. My problems with Liv outweigh any problem with any guy because that’s my sister, so honestly, having a chat with Aaron was the least of my worries the first night. I was more focused on having a chat with Liv and yeah, she means way more to me. I don’t mean to be rude, but she does. It definitely was difficult and it’s not fun when friends fight. 

As you reflect on this past year following the success of your season of Love Island USA, what have you learned about yourselves as well as love and relationships?

MARTIN I learned so much about myself from the villa, all of this experience, being with Aaron, meeting new people, traveling, learning about different cultures, all of it. I can’t even name one thing specifically because I’ve taken away so many valuable things. I’m so grateful for this experience and Love Island and Peacock and ITV and everything. 

RODRIGUEZ If I’ve learned one thing, it’s you have to take risks when it comes to love, when it comes to your profession, your career. I envisioned myself going back to my corporate job after the show, and cool, I have a few more 1,000 followers on social media, a couple more people know me, but life changed. I think it’s important to go outside of your comfort zone. 

MARTIN I just want to say to all the little girls, dream big because you never know and I’m so lucky. My mom used to take me to do modeling and acting as a little girl, and then it’s so full circle that I’m working with brands like Maybelline. Just so beyond lucky so dream big because you never know, life can really change. 

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Love Island: Beyond the Villa is currently streaming on Peacock, with new episodes dropping every Thursday.