"They're very toxic" - Kaylor Martin reveals why she’s avoiding Love Island: Beyond the Villa

Love Island: Beyond the Villa premiered on Peacock on July 13, 2025, as the first spinoff of Love Island USA. The new format follows former Islanders as they reconnect, socialize, and navigate personal challenges in Los Angeles months after leaving the villa.

Among the returning cast members is Kaylor Martin, who appeared on Season 6 of Love Island USA, where her relationship with Aaron Evans ended just before the finale. In an exclusive interview with USA TODAY in July 2025, Martin shared that she does not plan to watch the show while it airs.

She explained that the hardest part of being on Beyond the Villa is dealing with social media in real time, as opposed to her previous experience when cast members had no contact with the outside world.

Martin also addressed the pressure of public reaction,

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"Some of the fans, we are very lucky, but they're very toxic. And sometimes they forget we are real human beings," she shared.

She said the cast often faces backlash and that people forget they are real individuals. For her, setting boundaries was the best way to manage the experience.

Love Island USA star Kaylor Martin steps back amid real-time social media pressures

 

 

 

 

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During her original run on Love Island USA, Kaylor Martin had no access to the internet and was shielded from outside opinions. That changed with Beyond the Villa, which aired episodes while cast members had their phones. Martin said this added a new layer of difficulty.

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“It’s going to be even more difficult … hearing everyone’s opinions and backlash,” she said.

She spoke openly about the negativity directed at reality stars. Martin revealed she had decided to tune out the noise by avoiding the show entirely while it aired. Her plan was to spend the summer in Europe and take a break from social media.

Martin’s storyline on the show includes a tense moment with close friend Liv Walker. The two had a disagreement over a missed birthday invite and differing expectations around event preparation. “You never know how you’re going to be perceived,” she said, adding that staying true to herself mattered most.

For Martin, returning for the spinoff came with more emotional weight.

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“Filming this season … was very challenging for me at least, dealing with the real world and real stuff going on,” she said.

Friendships and unresolved tensions drive early episodes of Love Island: Beyond the Villa

Love Island: Beyond the Villa features several returning couples and fan favorites from Season 6. These include Serena Page and Kordell Beckham (with Kordell making guest appearances while filming his first movie), JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez, and Leah Kateb and Miguel Harichi. The series focuses less on romantic competition and more on group dynamics, similar to Vanderpump Rules.

In the first two episodes, much of the tension centers on Kaylor Martin and Liv Walker, whose friendship begins to crack. The conflict starts over a missing birthday invite and builds over event preparation. Their disagreement sets the tone for the group’s early dynamics in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, Aaron Evans also returns to the cast. He and Martin reunite on camera months after a highly publicized reunion special. While the show captures their interaction, there is little resolution. Martin had previously broken down during the season 6 finale after learning of Aaron’s deception.

Martin’s experience stands apart from her earlier time on Love Island, which focused more on relationships within a controlled environment. She noted that filming Beyond the Villa was harder due to the exposure and emotional challenges.

“As long as you feel like you’ve stayed true to you, I feel like that’s the most important thing,” she said.

Stay tuned for more updates.