As season 8 of Love Island USA comes to a close and we all get our apps ready to vote for our favorite couples, it’s the perfect time to remember that this series has introduced us to some of our favorite influencers and reality stars over the years. In fact, many of the stars of new Netflix, Peacock, and MTV reality programming (and your favorite Cheez-Its spokesperson) all got their start as bombshells in the villa.
We wouldn’t be tuning in almost every night to watch Trinity, Aniya, KC, or TiTi if the way hadn’t been paved by seven seasons of exceptionally juicy television, carried by some of America’s most beautiful, dramatic, and alluring.
Let’s take a look at some of the faces that helped us fall in love with the franchise in the first place:
Olandria Carthen
It’s no secret that Team EBONY has been Team Olandria. From her first appearance on Love Island USA season 7, fans were enamored with her beauty. The Alabama Barbie has tapped into the potential she always knew she had since being on her season; she has graced countless covers (EBONY included), had partnerships with beauty and fashion giants like Brandon Blackwood, NYX Cosmetics, Barbie, Poppi, and more, and has redefined the way that influence can be turned into capital.
Chelley Bissainthe
Since leaving the villa in season 7, Chelley has turned the attention she received from the show into the start of a full-time career in the spotlight. From hosting red carpets to appearing on some of the biggest podcasts, Chelley has consistently stunned fans with every appearance. She has secured invites to work with major names such as Billboard, Cécred, and more. Whatever Chelley has in her bag next, we’re ready for it!
Clarke Carraway
Long live “I pick Clarke!” A Season 7 Casa Amor bombshell, Clarke came into the villa and made a splash. She entered at a time when it may have felt as though she were doomed to fail, but she handled herself with grace, composure, and beauty throughout the season. Post-season, she appeared as a cast member on Beyond the Villa with her boyfriend, Taylor, alongside whom she has furthered her career as a creator, model, and influencer.
Serena Page
Cue “She’s Your Queen To Be” from Coming to America here, please. Season 6 winner Serena Page was unwavering, unfiltered, and uninhibited from the moment she stepped into the villa on day 1. In the villa, she always stood on business and did not allow herself to make concessions for treatment that she did not deserve. Since winning the show alongside her still-partner, Kordell and their appearances on Love Island: Beyond the Villa, Page has booked countless major campaigns, graced Fashion Weeks and red carpets and transformed a dating show appearance into a lucrative public career.
Kordell Beckham
Kordell Beckham made it clear on Love Island USA season 6 that he had goals of modeling, acting, and being a brand ambassador for Cheez-Its. While these goals may have seemed lofty to anyone else, Beckham has seen them all through. Between modeling for Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty and landing a role in the Keke Palmer-produced Southern Fried Rice, Kordell has made sure to make time for what’s important— his relationship with season 6 cast member and co-winner Serena.
JaNa Craig
JaNa’s journey through navigating love on her original season of Love Island USA, Love Island: Beyond The Villa, and since being on TV has been one that fans have watched closely, ready to pounce on anyone who disrespects her. Since her season and the relationship that came out of it, JaNa has made it clear via social media that she has moved on to bigger and better: better rooms, better red carpets, better opportunities. JaNa’s fans now wait patiently for her every move, ready to support whatever appearances and decisions she makes.
Kay Kay Gray
Talk about yelling at the TV! Season 5 OG cast member Kay Kay was an early fan favorite and had the internet rallying around her every single episode, even before she coined the now-iconic term “Soul Ties is crazy!” The oncology nurse has made an appearance on Games and has kept viewers engaged through her regular TikTok updates, in which she has made it clear that she has healed, moved on, and is ready for bigger and better.
Cashay “Cash” Proudfoot
Love Island USA season 3’s Cashay “Cash” Proudfoot was some of the series’ first short-haired Black women’s representation. From rocking a shaved head to switching up her style with wigs, the future The Challenge contestant had viewers rooting for her week after week, wanting to protect her at all costs.
Justine Ndiba
Our two-time winner and overall Love Island powerhouse, Justine, has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with whenever she steps foot in a villa. After her wins in Love Island season 2 and season 1 of Love Island Games, she was an early favorite to win when she returned for season 2 of Games, where she came in second place alongside Tyrique from Love Island UK. Since her seasons, Justine has made countless Aftersun appearances and has parlayed her casting potential into stints on MTV’s The Challenge USA and The Challenge World Championship as well as season 3 of Perfect Match on Netflix.
Kyra Green
Kyra from season 1 of Love Island USA may be much of the reason why no one in the villa feels confined to boundaries. When she returned to the spinoff series Love Island Games, she was out and proud as a bisexual islander — coupling up with Megan from the UK series as opposed to following the status quo.
Yamen Sanders
You may recognize Yamen’s face from the most recent season of Netflix’s Perfect Match, or from the most recent season of Love Island: All Stars, or from Temptation Island, but Sanders actually had his reality TV debut on the first season of Love Island USA. While he has yet to win the prize on any show (aside from the opportunity to date Queen Whitney Adebayo of Love Island UK), Sanders has proven that his reality career has longevity, and you never know where he may pop up next.