{"id":13518,"date":"2026-07-22T11:30:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T06:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=13518"},"modified":"2026-07-22T11:30:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T06:30:02","slug":"love-island-usa-alum-jana-craig-slams-ex-kenny-rodriguez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=13518","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Love Island USA&#8217; Alum JaNa Craig Slams Ex Kenny Rodriguez"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bossip.com\/3912104\/jana-craig-key-glock-relationship\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"3912104\">JaNa Craig<\/a> has responded to <a href=\"https:\/\/bossip.com\/3654910\/love-island-usa-jana-craig-kenny-rodriguez-breakup-break-down\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"3654910\">Kenny Rodriguez\u2019s <\/a>claims during a recent podcast, where he told \u201chis side\u201d of their split.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/bossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/07\/17846596740326.jpg?w=1024&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80\" alt=\"Revolve Festival 2025 - Inside\" class=\"wp-image-4605156\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/07\/17846596740326.jpg?strip=all&amp;quality=80 1024w, https:\/\/bossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/07\/17846596740326.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 300w, https:\/\/bossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/07\/17846596740326.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 768w, https:\/\/bossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/07\/17846596740326.jpg?resize=180%2C120&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 180w, https:\/\/bossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/07\/17846596740326.jpg?resize=150%2C100&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 150w, https:\/\/bossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/07\/17846596740326.jpg?resize=75%2C50&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 75w, https:\/\/bossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/07\/17846596740326.jpg?resize=720%2C480&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 720w, https:\/\/bossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/07\/17846596740326.jpg?resize=900%2C600&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 900w, https:\/\/bossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/07\/17846596740326.jpg?resize=450%2C300&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 450w, https:\/\/bossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/07\/17846596740326.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 600w, https:\/\/bossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/07\/17846596740326.jpg?resize=250%2C167&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 250w, https:\/\/bossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/07\/17846596740326.jpg?resize=220%2C147&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 220w, https:\/\/bossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/07\/17846596740326.jpg?resize=245%2C163&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 245w, https:\/\/bossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/07\/17846596740326.jpg?resize=129%2C86&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 129w, https:\/\/bossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/07\/17846596740326.jpg?resize=144%2C96&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 144w, https:\/\/bossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/07\/17846596740326.jpg?resize=50%2C33&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: Greg Doherty \/ Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The former couple met during Season 6 of<em> Love Island USA<\/em> and made it to the final episode of the series, quickly becoming one of the show\u2019s most beloved couples. After coming in third place, they continued dating in real life and later appeared together on the spin-off series, <em>Beyond the Villa<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In July 2025, just one year after their season aired, the pair announced that their relationship was over. Despite a year having passed since their split, things are heating up once again, with Rodriguez addressing their split during a recent podcast appearance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the July 20 episode of <em>The Journey Podcast <\/em>with Zachary Cummings, Rodriguez publicly discussed the racist messages that Craig previously claimed to have discovered on his phone. According to Kenny, their relationship became increasingly difficult over time, claiming JaNa was verbally abusive.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"\/>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rodriguez claims he attempted to end their relationship several times, but said Craig repeatedly pleaded with him to stay.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m expressing to you that I\u2019m hurt, that I don\u2019t want to be in the relationship. And you\u2019re insisting that you\u2019re going to change, that you\u2019re going to treat me with respect, that you\u2019re not going to curse at me,\u201d he said on the podcast.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Rodriguez, he chose not to speak publicly about the splot over the last year because he didn\u2019t want to negatively portray his ex, but now, he fee;s compelled to tell his side after ongoing criticism of him following their breakup.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don\u2019t want to come out because that\u2019s not who I am. So, [I said], \u2018We\u2019ll see if it goes away.\u2019 And this will never go away,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In reference to the text messages JaNa exposed, Rodriguez said he accepted responsibility for what he wrote, but disputed claims that his comments reflected racial prejudice.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI take full accountability for it,\u201d he began. \u201cBut I\u2019ve dated Black women before. I have Black ancestry. I\u2019m Dominican. Half of my family is dark-skinned. So there was never a problem with race.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI made a statement that I\u2019m not proud of, and I take full accountability for it,\u201d Kenny continued. \u201cBut I think it\u2019s a bit unjust to take that situation and to have that define me and run with that.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\"\/>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a series of Instagram Stories posted on Tuesday, July 21, JaNa firmly denied all of Rodriguez\u2019s allegations and assured fans that legal action is being pursued.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNever in my life have I assaulted anyone. Ever. It\u2019s not even in my character,\u201d she said, later adding, \u201cI am not a violent person.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She went on to dispute several of Rodriguez\u2019s claims, including allegations that she begged for him to come back or repeatedly attempted to reconcile.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf you think I have 74 screenshots of someone confessing about the nastiest, worst things you could say then you obviously don\u2019t know me. I would never do such thing. That\u2019s crazy,\u201d she said to the camera. \u201cAnd please know there was never a conversation about me begging his family for him back. There was never a breakup where he ignored me for three days. It\u2019s literally all a lie.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Craig concluded by saying she would allow her attorneys to handle the matter moving forward.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m gonna let my lawyers take it from here, and we\u2019re leaving it at that. I hope you guys have a blessed day. And never ever forget, when someone comes for you, I\u2019m guessing maybe the funds are low. I\u2019m assuming you had to do 60 minutes, 90 minutes of a whole lie for a dollar, and now you\u2019re about to be in overdraft. Because I don\u2019t know why you thought that was a good idea, but\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\"\/>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following the release of the podcast, Craig shared another Instagram Stories video directed at Rodriguez, criticizing him for allegedly sending her a cease-and-desist letter before discussing their relationship publicly.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cVery ballsy of you,\u201d she said. \u201cHow f\u2014ing insane. But if you want to f***ing play. Let\u2019s f***ing play. I think you should give me permission to drop all the text messages. Why don\u2019t we start there?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBut also, how about you tell your 99-cent-ass-f***ing lawyers to answer the f***ing phone. Because what you\u2019re not about to do is ever think you can come for me and get away with it,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fallout has also pulled in fellow <em>Love Island USA <\/em>star Kordell Beckham. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rodriguez claimed on the podcast that Beckham contacted him after the breakup and said he still had \u201cthe utmost respect\u201d for his former castmate. Beckham quickly disputed that version of events on Instagram Stories.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe not even gon get on how you sat on that podcast and lied the entire time, but what we not gon do is lie like I condoned anything you did\/said,\u201d he wrote. \u201cAfter YOU called me I got on that ass and we haven\u2019t spoke since.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShout out my sis Jana love you for life girl,\u201d Beckham added. \u201cAnd keep my mf name out your mouth I don\u2019t fw you bro.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Craig later reposted Beckham\u2019s statement, adding:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLove you Kordell more than anything. My brother for life.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\"\/>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the couple first announced their breakup last year, both released separate statements. Craig said at the time that speculation surrounding the split failed to capture what had really happened.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDiscovering that someone you loved isn\u2019t who you thought they were and that the relationship you thought you were building hasn\u2019t been genuine since day one has been truly devastating,\u201d Craig continued.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rodriguez, meanwhile, said he had come to realize that their relationship wasn\u2019t sustainable in the long run.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ll 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\u2019s path forward brings her nothing but happiness.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Craig later fired back at his statement on social media, writing:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cstfu you manipulative liar. You not taking accountability and telling people the type of person you really are is insane to me!!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy first statement was me being nice. Do not piss me off,\u201d she then added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now that lawyers are involved, it seems like their drama might make its way out of the spotlight. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"ione-see-also\">\n\t\t\t<strong class=\"ione-see-also__title\">SEE ALSO<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bossip.com\/4602729\/hottest-queer-celebrity-women\/?itm_source=bossip.com&amp;itm_medium=in_post&amp;itm_campaign=see_also_section&amp;itm_content=well\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWCW, Vol. 31 \u2014 From Bisexual Baddies To Lesbian Lovelies, 50 Queer Queens We Can\u2019t Stop Crushing On\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bossip.com\/4604162\/gallery-beauties-stunned-jay-z-historic-30th-anniversary-yankee-stadium-shows-nyc-vol-2\/?itm_source=bossip.com&amp;itm_medium=in_post&amp;itm_campaign=see_also_section&amp;itm_content=well\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGorgeous Girls, Girls, Girls! MORE Of The Finest, Flyest &amp; Flossiest Shorties, ROC Girlies &amp; More Who Embodied The Baddie Blueprint At JA\u0178-Z\u2019s Epic Yankee Stadium Takeover\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bossip.com\/4604765\/funniest-tweets-memes-videos-the-odyssey-premiere-weekend\/?itm_source=bossip.com&amp;itm_medium=in_post&amp;itm_campaign=see_also_section&amp;itm_content=well\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGods, Monsters &amp; BEGGARS! Blockbuster Behemoth \u2018The Odyssey\u2019 Conquers Box Office With Massive Global Debut, Sparks Hilarious Tweets, Memes, Videos &amp; More\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>JaNa Craig has responded to Kenny Rodriguez\u2019s claims during a recent podcast, where he told \u201chis side\u201d of their split. Source: Greg Doherty \/ Getty The former couple met during Season 6 of Love Island USA and made it to the final episode of the series, quickly becoming one of the show\u2019s most beloved couples&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13519,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/bossip.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/07\/17846596740326.jpg?quality=80&strip=all&w=1024&crop=0,0,100,683px","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13518","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrity-gossip"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13518","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13518"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13518\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13519"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13518"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13518"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13518"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}