Reality star Kaylor Martin opened up about the challenges of returning to the screen for Peacock’s new spinoff, Love Island: Beyond the Villa, revealing that she and her fellow cast members felt the need to “filter” themselves more than ever before.
Martin first rose to fame on Season 6 of Love Island USA, where she quickly became a fan favorite. Her whirlwind romance with Aaron Evans from day one coupling to their emotional split just before the reunion, captivated viewers and made “FAWK AARON” a viral catchphrase.
Now, Martin is back alongside her Season 6 co-stars in Beyond the Villa, which follows the Islanders as they navigate life in Los Angeles, balancing new careers, relationships, and friendships. The series premiered this month on Peacock.
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Unlike the original villa experience, where the cast entered with little at stake, Martin said the stakes felt much higher this time around.
“Let’s be real. Going into Love Island, we didn’t really have anything to lose,” Martin told Decider. “Now, going into this, we have a lot to lose. But I think just being real and authentic is why people want to watch us. Just being you is the best way to be.”
Kenny Rodriguez, another returning cast member, agreed that adjusting to life on camera again took time. “It was a year since we had been on camera, so it does take some time to just get used to it,” Rodriguez said. “But honestly, people love us for who we are, and I think that’s who we showed on the show.”
The premiere episode showcased some raw behind-the-scenes moments, including Kenny urging girlfriend JaNa Craig not to reveal Liv Walker’s new relationship on camera, and Liv herself requesting privacy from the production crew.
Rodriguez also shared details about living arrangements during filming. Though he and JaNa didn’t share an apartment, they lived next door to each other. “Her apartment was more tidy—I call it a library because it’s so clean,” he joked. “My apartment had the dog we fostered, so we spent our mornings together there. Being in the same city and around each other so much really helped our relationship blossom.”
Martin also addressed her emotional on-screen reunion with Aaron Evans nearly a year after their breakup. Asked if their relationship might have worked if they had met outside the show, Martin echoed Evans’ sentiment: “I don’t think I could answer that question because we didn’t. We met on a reality show. We weren’t set up to meet each other naturally. It’s different.”
When asked about Evans’ claim that the cast had split into cliques based on social media followings, Martin pushed back. “I actually disagree with that,” she said. “Leah has so many followers and she’s still the same person. We were only with Aaron for a short time during this project, so I’d love to ask him more about what he meant. I don’t feel he really knows us well enough to make that comment.”
Rodriguez, meanwhile, addressed a tense encounter with Connor, who had previously been coupled with JaNa. “I don’t like there to be hostility or animosity,” Rodriguez said. “That’s why I addressed him directly, to understand his point of view. I know where JaNa’s at, and I wanted a clear picture of the situation. I’m glad I addressed it at the party.”
Love Island: Beyond the Villa is now streaming on Peacock, giving fans a candid glimpse into the post-villa lives of their favorite Islanders and proving that fame comes with new challenges, both on and off camera.