The “Love Island USA” fandom is desperately searching for answers about one of its favorite couples.
JaNa Craig has confirmed her split from her “Love Island USA” boyfriend Kenny Rodriguez – indicating that the truth is more “disgusting” than any of the speculation that has flooded the internet.
Here’s what we know.
What happened with Kenny and JaNa?
Craig confirmed she and Rodriguez ended their relationship, and she stated the reasons for the split are more “disgusting” than the speculation circulating on the internet, USA TODAY reported.
“Thank you for all your love & support. It means the world to me,” Craig posted on her Instagram Story on July 28. “As you know, Kenny and I are no longer together. Please know that I have seen all the breakup theories and none have matched up to how terrible, disgusting and disappointing it truly is.”
“Discovering that someone you loved isn’t who you thought they were and that the relationship you thought you were building hasn’t been genuine since day one has been truly devastating,” Craig added. “Thank you for respecting my privacy and please know as a child of God, I will always be okay.”
Less than an hour later, Rodriguez also addressed the breakup via his Instagram Story.
“The past few days have been incredibly difficult. I’ve been quietly sitting with a lot of emotions and doing my best to process everything privately,” he wrote. “Breakups are never easy, especially in the public eye. Sometimes, despite how deeply you care for someone, you come to the hard truth that the relationship was not something that could last long-term.”
He concluded: “I’ll always be grateful for the time we shared and the memories we created. I release this chapter with no ill will, only a hope that JaNa’s path forward brings her nothing but happiness.”
Craig fired back at her former beau on her Instagram Story: “You manipulative liar. You not taking accountability and telling people the type of person you really are is insane to me!! My first statement was me being nice. Do not piss me off.”
Social media users have been speculating about a possible rift in the beloved season 6 cast after Craig appeared to unfollow Rodriguez on July 26. She also removed almost all of her content with him from her Instagram grid.
Other season 6 cast members and stars from the Peacock spinoff show “Love Island: Beyond the Villa” are also not following Rodriguez. Peacock did not respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.
Why did JaNa and Kenny break up?
Craig and Rodriguez have yet to disclose the specific reason for their split. However, it appears Craig blames Rodriguez for the breakup.
“Please know that I have seen all the breakup theories and none have matched up to how terrible, disgusting and disappointing it truly is,” she posted as part of her statement on Instagram.
“Discovering that someone you loved isn’t who you thought they were and that the relationship you thought you were building hasn’t been genuine since day one has been truly devastating,” Craig added.
In response to his statement, in which he said he hoped “JaNa’s path forward brings her nothing but happiness,” Craig said, “You manipulative liar. You not taking accountability and telling people the type of person you really are is insane to me!! My first statement was me being nice. Do not piss me off.”
“Love Island USA” season 6 co-star Leah Kateb, a member of the PPG (the self-appointed Powerpuff Gang or Powerpuff Girls trio), along with Serena Page, responded to the controversy through a few social media comments. In her posts, Kateb insinuated that Rodriguez’s statement was a ChatGPT creation and added, “Tell the truth for once! Racist, clout/money hungry and a scammer since DAY 1!!!!”
Fellow cast member Olivia “Liv” Walker also screenshoted Rodriguez’s statement and wrote, “I can’t even put into words how good of a person NayNay is and how hard it is (to) watch her go through something like this. @kennyrodriguez I hope this gives you the clout you always wanted you … loser.”
The Enquirer reached out to Rodriguez for comment.
JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez’s relationship timeline
Craig and Rodriguez, finalists from “Love Island USA’s” breakout season last year, have been in a relationship since they left the villa in July 2024. They confirmed their relationship status in the season 6 reunion, which dropped the following month.
On Peacock’s “Love Island” spinoff, which was filmed in the spring, Rodriguez and Craig said they were navigating their relationship while living in close quarters for the first time in Los Angeles.
While speaking with USA TODAY in separate interviews July 8, Rodriguez and Craig opened up about navigating a relationship that is also intertwined with their careers as influencers.
“We’re very communicative when it comes to those things: what we feel comfortable putting out there (and) what we don’t. And I think that’s just the sign of a healthy relationship,” Rodriguez said.
Craig, seated with Page on one side and Kateb on the other, admitted it has worked best to keep some things for themselves when fans demand more couples’ content.
“I feel like your relationship is very private. You know, just you and your partner communicating 24/7,” Craig said.
“Whereas, publicly, it’s like putting yourself out there, understanding what your viewers and your supporters want and navigating through that and whatever you’re comfortable with.”
Where is Kenny Rodriguez from?
Per the “Love Island USA” fandom site, Rodriguez is originally from the Bronx, New York, but he lives in Los Angeles and Dallas, Texas, per his Instagram bio.
Rodriguez is a second-generation American of Dominican heritage, according to a September 2022 Instagram post from his alma mater, Macalester College. Both of his grandparents immigrated to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic in the late 60’s, he wrote.
How old is Kenny from ‘Love Island USA’?
Rodriguez was born on Feb. 23, 2000, making him 25 years old.
How old is JaNa from ‘Love Island USA’?
Craig was born Dec. 13, 1996, making her 28 years old, per her bio on the “Love Island USA” fandom site.
How many seasons of ‘Love Island USA’ are there?
There are currently 7 seasons of “Love Island USA.”
Who won ‘Love Island USA’ season 6?
Houston natives Kordell Beckham and Serena Page won Peacock’s “Love Island USA” season 6. Beckham and Page met on the first day of the 36-day series. Despite the drama of Casa Armor, the couple managed to stay together throughout the season.
Beckham and Page each received an envelope during the final test, but only one contained the $100,000 prize. Beckham picked the envelope with the money but split the prize with Page.
When does ‘Love Island: Beyond the Villa’ air?
New episodes of “Beyond the Villa” air on Thursdays.
What time does ‘Love Island: Beyond the Villa’ start?
New episodes of “Beyond the Villa” drop at 9 p.m. ET.
How to watch ‘Love Island: Beyond the Villa’
“Love Island: Beyond the Villa” airs exclusively on Peacock.
How many episodes does ‘Love Island: Beyond the Villa’ have?
According to IMDB, season 1 of the “Love Island” spinoff series will have 8 episodes. The season finale is slated to air Aug. 25.
Will there be a season 2 of ‘Love Island: Beyond the Villa’?
NBC/Peacock has yet to announce whether or not “Love Island: Beyond the Villa” has been renewed for a second season.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What happened with Kenny Rodriguez and JaNa Craig? ‘Love Island’ stars amid messy breakup
Reporting by Haadiza Ogwude and KiMi Robinson, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
