Reality TV Almost Had a Different Star: Iris Kendall’s Unexpected Path to Love Island USA

I’m Jaden Patel, and I’ll be guiding you through the twists and turns of celebrity news with a dash of dry humor and a pinch of sarcasm.

In a recent revelation, Iris Kendall, the 25-year-old star of Love Island USA, spilled the tea on an alternate reality where she could have been gracing the screens of Bravo’s The Valley instead of charming audiences in Fiji. According to Iris, she was approached by the producers of The Valley, but she declined, citing her desire to find love on Love Island USA. “I knew I was going on Love Island,” she explained to E! News’ The Rundown. “And I’m like a lover girl, I want to go find love, I don’t want to be in this valley.”

For those unfamiliar with The Valley, it’s a reality TV series that features a cast of characters navigating love, friendships, and drama in the picturesque San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles. The show boasts a star-studded cast, including Vanderpump Rules alums Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright, and Kristen Doute. Iris seemed unimpressed by the prospect of joining their ranks, expressing her disdain for the dating scene in the Valley. “The guys in the valley,” she quipped, “they take you to run their errands with them.”

While Iris admitted that joining The Valley’s cast could have been “kind of fun,” she ultimately decided against it, citing her lack of familiarity with the area. “I don’t live there anymore,” she said, before adding, “but I am a local, so… maybe I’ll move back to the valley.” It’s clear that Iris is still open to exploring her options, but for now, she’s content with the path she chose.

Iris’s decision to participate in Love Island USA proved to be a life-changing experience, even if she didn’t find lasting love with her costar Pepe García-Gonzalez. The two parted ways in August, but Iris has no regrets about her time on the show. “I love adventure,” she explained. “That’s why I did it in the first place. I wanted to do the social experiment aspect of it, and they’re putting these people specifically in for me, so I thought that was really interesting.”

As Iris navigates her life in the spotlight, she’s learned to take things in stride. “I feel like whatever I do is authentic to me,” she said. “If people judge whatever situation, or take pictures, it is what it is. I just want to make myself happy, and I want to make the people around me happy. So, whatever it is I’m fine with it.”

Love Island USA may not have been the only reality TV show on Iris’s radar, but it’s clear that she’s making the most of her experience. And as for The Valley, who knows? Maybe someday Iris will make a return to her hometown and join the cast. Stranger things have happened, right?

But Iris isn’t the only reality TV star with a story to tell. Many Love Island alums have gone on to pursue new adventures and relationships since leaving the show. Ellie Brown and Charlie Brake, stars of Love Island UK season four, may have left the villa together in 2018, but their romance fizzled out not long after returning from Mallorca. Ellie has since moved on, announcing her engagement to a new beau in July 2025.

Uma Jammen and Wil Anderson, on the other hand, are still going strong. The couple met on Love Island UK’s season 11 and have been inseparable ever since. In July 2025, Uma took to Instagram to announce their engagement, sharing a photo of her sparkling ring. For Uma, staying on Love Island after Wil’s exit wasn’t an option. “There was no question,” she said on the Not My Bagg podcast. “I didn’t have to think about it at all. I want to be with Wil.”

Not all Love Island alums have been as fortunate in love, however. Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales sparked breakup rumors in August 2025 when they unfollowed each other on Instagram. Sadly, their relationship came to an end, with Amaya confirming their split on her Instagram Stories. “After leaving the villa, it became very clear that we were on two different journeys,” she wrote. “Our visions didn’t align and relationships are supposed to be a team sport. You don’t have to drink the whole sea to know it’s salty.”

Despite the ups and downs of reality TV romance, Iris Kendall seems to be taking it all in stride. With her newfound fame and entrepreneurial spirit, she’s sure to be a star to watch in the years to come.

And that’s a wrap on Iris Kendall’s journey to Love Island USA. Will she find love in the future? Only time will tell.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News, The Rundown, Instagram
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed