I Watched 'Love Island: Beyond the Villa' & This Detail About The Islanders May Shock You

The Love Island USA season six cast is back and, honestly, I didn’t realize how much I missed them until I hit play on Love Island: Beyond the Villa.

The new Peacock spinoff reunites some of our favorite Islanders from last summer—JaNa Craig, Leah Kateb, Serena Page, Kenny Rodriguez, Miguel Harichi, Kaylor Martin, Aaron Evans, Olivia Walker, Kendall Washington and Connor Newsum—and drops them back into each other’s lives one year after the villa. Let’s just say, things are not as sunny as they once seemed.

Right off the bat, it feels like a real reunion. The energy between JaNa, Serena and Leah—aka PPG—is still unmatched. And seeing where all the couples and friendships landed post-show adds a layer of realness you never quite get during the villa bubble. The show catches us up on what everyone’s been doing but it’s not just vibes and vibes only—some serious tension is bubbling to the surface.

The first signs of trouble? The unraveling friendship between Liv and Kaylor. By the end of the episode, the two are already clashing, with Liv telling a few lies (about parties and glam, apparently) and Kaylor feeling iced out. Then there’s the reunion between Kaylor and Aaron. I'm talking tense eye contact, awkward exchanges and clearly a whole lot left unsaid.

Meanwhile, the JaNa and Connor drama from the villa is still simmering and Kenny’s right in the middle of it but, of course, he's standing by JaNa like the loyal boyfriend he is.

The first episodes take a moment to warm up, offering more heartwarming moments than drama—mostly the cast catching up by the pool or over a meal, Miguel meeting Leah's animals and Kendall casually flirting with a new girl. Still, I’m not worried. With this cast, the emotional stakes feel high and the feelings genuinely real. The most surprising part? The Islanders are exactly who they appeared to be on the show. It seems they were truly authentic both inside and outside the villa, which is honestly refreshing.

My final verdict: I'll keep watching. Ultimately, I came for the nostalgia but I’m staying for the inevitable drama to come.

Want all the latest entertainment news sent right to your inbox? Click here.