“I just got a text!” America’s favorite season 6 “Love Island USA” contestants are back, except this time, they’re taking things beyond the villa.
They’re ditching Fiji this summer for the real world. The first-of-its-kind series spinoff of “Love Island USA” will follow some of the former islanders around L.A. as they navigate their relationships, friendships, growing careers and realities of fame.
Last year, the U.S. iteration of the “Love Island” franchise took the reality dating show to unprecedented levels of popularity, breaking Peacock streaming records and catapulting the cast into superstardom. After a bombshell of a season, fans were left anxiously waiting, by their own firepits, for when their favorite cast members would return to T.V.
What To Expect From “Love Island: Beyond The Villa”
“This group together is always so dramatic I swear” ~Kendall
According to Peacock, the main cast that will be returning are Leah Kateb, season 6 winner Serena Page, JaNa Craig, Miguel Harichi, Kenny Rodriguez, Kaylor Martin, Aaron Evans, Olivia Walker, Kendall Washington and Connor Newsum. Other former islanders, such as Kordell Beckham (season 6 winner) and Nicole Jacky, will make appearances as well. And Love Islands’ host and former “Vanderpump Rules” star, Ariana Madix, also makes a special cameo.
There’s quite a bit to unpack in the 2 minute trailer. Viewers are teased with what looks like the cast confronting their unfinished businesses, having heated discussions and going on a group trip.
Couples Jana and Kenny are seen talking about their not living together situation and Serena and Kordell discuss their struggles on being apart.
Besties Liv and Kaylor are fighting although it’s unclear why.
Kaylor and Araon see each other for the first time since their breakup after what arguably was season 6’s most tumultuous relationship.
Exes, Kendall and Nicole reunite to discuss their public fallout. What once was a strong connection that led them to the finals quickly faded after the show with Kenall explaining in a post, “it was not healthy for us to continue the relationship,”
But it’s not ALL Drama…
“PPG”(the famous trio with Serena, Leah and Jana) are back with their partners and viewers finally get an inside look at their relationships. The “IT” girls entered the villa and left together (being the top 3 finalists) and had several viral moments online during the show. Known for their memorable taglines, firecracker and relatable personalities, rocky relationships and, most importantly, their sisterly bond.
The trailer ends with the group vacationing in Miami but with a very teary eyed Kaylor saying, “I’m so done. I don’t want to do this.”
Seems the themes of friendship and drama will live on outside the villa walls.
The Numbers from Luminate
According to Luminate, an entertainment data company that provides information on music, tv and film, in 2024, “Love Island USA” was Peacock’s most watched show with 5.6 billion views. Trailing right behind is “Days of Our Lives” with 3.1 billion and “The Day of the Jackal” with 2.7 billion.
In fact, Luminate reported that season 6 was the No.1 most watched streaming original series in the U.S. during the week of July 5-11, hitting 919.1 million minutes watched, marking a 61% jump in viewership from the previous week and a 257% increase from its debut week.
Another standout from the show was its representation.
The winners were “Love Island USA’s” first black couple to win the show.
Teen Vogue, also described the impact that Serena and JaNa had on reality tv and that as black women it is rare to see them lead a show the way they did.
Leah’s portrayal of Persian Iranians also spoke to many fans. She tells Teen Vogue: “The amount of Persian and Iranian people that have come up to me and said, ‘You don’t know how much this means to me.’ For me, at least growing up, I didn’t see a lot of Persian women on television. And there were so many stereotypes, you know? ‘Persian women are so hairy, they’re angry, and loud.’ So to now have people messaging me — even some of the messages coming from people in Iran — saying that they love me, I feel so blessed. It’s an honor.”
“Love Island: Beyond The Villa” is streaming exclusively on Peacock starting July 13.
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