JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez‘s adorable romance has stood the test of time since leaving the Love Island USA villa.
Season 6, which premiered in June 2024, introduced JaNa as an original Islander who initially formed a connection with Coye Simmons and then Connor Newsum before Kenny caught her eye. Despite having instant chemistry, JaNa and Kenny weathered some relationship drama — mainly the fallout from Casa Amor — before finding their way back to each other.
After filming on season 6 wrapped, JaNa and Kenny remained committed to each other.
“He’ll be like, ‘You’re so beautiful,’ and I’ll be like, ‘Kenny, stop! [I] love it,’” JaNa shared on “The Viall Files” podcast in July 2024. “I think we have a bright future … and I said, ‘I could see this long-term.’ We’ll see.”
Kenny, meanwhile, said he saw their relationship going the distance — literally — since they were already “best friends.”
“That level of communication and trust that we already have speaks volumes,” he added. “We spent eight hours on that first date, [which] kind of kicked off where we’re at. I’m just staring at her, like, it was a lot to look at. … There really isn’t much that we don’t talk about.”
Keep scrolling to relive JaNa and Kenny’s romance:
July 2024
After entering the villa, JaNa was briefly paired off with Coye before moving on with Connor. Their connection fizzled out when Connor chose to pursue JaNa’s friend Leah Kateb, which also ended up not working out. By then, JaNa was coupled up with Hakeem White but it wasn’t until Kenny entered the villa as a bombshell that things turned around for her.
JaNa and Kenny’s strong bond was ultimately tested when he went to Casa Amor — and returned with a bombshell. But after an emotional split — that has still stuck with Us — Kenny and JaNa became even more committed to each other. They ultimately placed third in the season 6 finale.
July 2024
The biggest challenge for JaNa and Kenny after reentering the real world was the distance between them.
“I don’t want to move [to Dallas] right away. I think we could do our own thing, change our work schedules so we can spend time [and do], like, a year of visiting each other — or less maybe — but me moving to Dallas right now would be crazy,” JaNa said on an episode of “The Viall Files” podcast. “He leaves [Los Angeles, where the podcast episode was taped] today and I’m so sad! It was like, ‘Oh, we’re gonna be good and FaceTime all the time.’”
JaNa continued: “But knowing that I’m [here] until Tuesday and he’s leaving today, I was like, ‘This sucks because we spent every day together for the past month and a half.’ It’s, like, we’re naturally best friends and partners. For him to leave, it’s super sad.”
During the joint interview, Kenny said he felt the same way before adding that JaNa’s “touch” is what he’ll miss the most.
“I think she makes me feel great,” he gushed. “Like, she’ll put her hands through my hair. That’s her love language and she does a great job at making me feel appreciated.”
August 2024
JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for YouTube Music
“My biggest priority is to make sure Kenny feels comfortable at all times,” JaNa exclusively told Us Weekly when asked about their future. “He gets my sense of humor — all gas, no brakes. I have a really bad sense of humor and I’m so grateful that he gets it. Anyone else thinks I’m psycho, like, mentally unstable. … He keeps me stable. So whatever he wants, I want!”
Kenny, meanwhile, explained how the couple “has done a good job” of considering each other’s feelings in the relationship.
“We call each other in the morning and at night, we give each other our time. We understand both of us are busy. But I think we’ve been pretty good. When you call me, I pick up. When I call, you pick up,” he said as JaNa praised her boyfriend for “always” answering the phone.
December 2024
“JaNa, today is your day. It’s all about you. My Pookie Bear. My Love. My Heart. My Nay Nay. It’s been a blessing to be by your side these last few months and to watch you take on the world.
“What I admire most about you is your heart. Your smile lights up every room that you walk into,” Kenny gushed via Instagram. “No matter how bright the spotlight shines on you, you never fail to make others feel loved, cared for and appreciated. You are just as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside and that explains why you always catch me staring and looking so dumbfounded. I am so lucky to have you in my life.”
Kenny praised his girlfriend in the social media tribute.
“You’ve inspired me to keep going, dream big and to have trust in the journey even when it feels uncertain. I’d be lying if I said the first few months out of the villa weren’t difficult for me, but you kept on reassuring me and telling me that everything is in God’s hands, to put my faith in Him and to be grateful for all He has done for us,” he continued. “Today we celebrate you, the light that you are, and everything you’ve accomplished. … I still want you and need you, now I need to keep you.”
February 2025
In her own social media post, JaNa celebrated her love story with Kenny, writing via Instagram, “Im not sure if you think too much about it, but everyday since leaving the villa, I’ve asked God how did i get so blessed to have you by my side. You’re not just my best friend, you’re my safe place. I love doing life with you. Your love gives me the courage to be myself around you and for that, I’m forever thankful. I hope this day brings you as much happiness as you bring me.”
JaNa reminded Kenny that he is “so loved,” adding, “I see how much love and care you put into the world, and please know it never goes unnoticed. Your mom, abuela, aunts, and cousins couldn’t have raised an even more perfect, God fearing gentlemen that truly has a heart of gold. So at this point im crying lol; which means i should probably stop writing here.”
She concluded: “But i need you to know i will always be here for you, even if things don’t work out the way we wanted. I will always support you in any adventure, endeavor, or hardship that comes your way. May God open every door your heart desires and may God continue to bless and protect the most incredible person in my life.”
June 2025
Ahead of their one-year anniversary, JaNa reflected on how their connection has evolved.
“You know what’s so crazy? When it first came out, it didn’t hit me,” she exclusively told Us. “The first six months outside the villa, I don’t think it hit me. But now that it’s settled down and season 7 is coming, I was like, ‘My gosh, I did that last summer.’”
July 2025
JaNa and Kenny reunited with their Love Island USA costars for Peacock’s Beyond the Villa. In the spinoff, viewers learned that JaNa and Kenny were still long-distance and even lived separately while filming the show.
“Since leaving the villa, it’s a big jump moving in together with someone, and I didn’t want it to be televised, especially the first time,” Kenny told Variety. “So we rented rooms next to each other. Another aspect for me is privacy. When JaNa gets ready for events, she has a huge glam team. Usually, there’s somebody in there for wardrobe, and sometimes I don’t have the space to change and things like that. Granted, we were always together on the show. It was great to experience L.A. and to be with her in the same city.”
