Love Island USA’s Nicole and Kendall Face Off During Reunion but Are ‘Still Together’: ‘A Lot of Conversations’
Nicole Jacky and Kendall Washington made it to the season 6 finale, but fans have been unsure of their relationship status after a private video leak
The Love Island USA season 6 reunion brought fans some long-awaited answers. Kind of.
Last week, the Islanders reconvened for a dramatic reunion hosted by Ariana Madix that aired Monday, Aug. 19 on Peacock and delivered on the drama — and clarity for one much-talked-about couple
The fate of Nicole Jacky and Kendall Washington, who finished the season in fourth place behind winners Serena Page and Kordell Beckham, runner-ups Leah Kateb and Miguel Harichi and JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez in third place, was revealed during the reunion, as they addressed the challenges they’d been through since leaving the villa in July, especially the leak of Kendall’s private videos.
“It’s been a bit tough on the outside,” Kendall, 27, began to tell host Madix. “Just trying to communicate — ”
But Nicole, 26, quickly interjected: “Communicate? You have not been communicating. You never have been.”
Kendall continued by remarking they were trying to “give each other space,” but Nicole interrupted once more and retorted, “After you lied to my face?”
He clarified for Madix and the audience that when they got out of the villa, “something happened,” alluding to the leak of his private videos. He then explained that he “should’ve told Nicole the full truth when it happened, and didn’t.”
Nicole replied, telling viewers that the “video is not okay” and “nobody deserves that.” But as she continued, she told Kendall, “I think if you say you love somebody, in the moment when you’re telling me about something, you need to be honest.”
She then revealed that Kendall told her the video was “from years ago” with “someone [he] trusted, an ex-girlfriend.” But she announced that she found out two days later “from JaNa that it was in the hotel room before you go on the show on a dating app is crazy.”
“I was there for you. That’s why I haven’t spoken up; I haven’t said anything because it’s f—ing awful what you’ve been through. But you also weren’t honest with me about it,” she said.
Kendall explained, that he “should have been honest with Nicole in that moment,” but he wasn’t ready to do so. “My life was turned upside down, and I just wanted to have you there. And that’s why I said that.”
Nicole continued by telling Kendall she “stood by” him, but then “that’s when [he] lied to [her].” Although, Kendall quickly told her he “didn’t want to lie” to her.
However, she added that he hasn’t had her back since the show wrapped, that she’s “taken all the heat” and has not spoken about it to protect him.
“I’ve been literally trying to make sure to let you know that I’m here without being overboard,” replied Kendall. But Nicole then revealed that Kendall didn’t check on her until she posted on Instagram after she took a break from social media. This break followed the leak of Kendall’s video online, and when she returned on Aug. 2, she admitted that she was “taking time to process.”
She also remarked he would post other women to his Instagram Stories, before declaring, “You only check on me when it’s relevant for you.”
Kendall confessed he thought he was “doing the right thing [by] giving [her] space.”
Quite a few of the pair’s fellow Islanders quickly came to Kendall’s defense, admitting that he’d approached all of them for advice on how to fix things with Nicole.
Nicole was clear that she believed Kendall loves her — and she loves him too, but her trust is shaken. “I haven’t ended things. We’re still together,” she clarified.
“All I want to do is mend the lie,” Kendall pleaded.
When Madix asked if Nicole wanted to be with Kendall, she quickly responded, “That’s all I’ve ever wanted. I just think there’s a lot of conversations to be had, and I don’t take this lightly.”
The video leaked before Kendall and Nicole got their phones back after leaving the villa, but Kendall also issued a statement on the leak on his Instagram Stories, calling the video “something I shared to someone in confidence and trust.”
“It’s unfortunate that it’s no longer private but it is what it is. I want to thank you all for the calls/texts to support me during this time. I am so grateful for my Love Island experience and I love you all for tuning in to watch my journey.”
Prior to the reunion, neither Nicole nor Kendall had given an update on their relationship following Kendall’s appearance on the July 30 episode of The Viall Files, during which he confirmed they were together but taking things slowly.
“We’re honestly just taking it day by day because being in the public eye and seeing everyone’s opinions, it affects people differently.”
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Love Island USA season 6 can be streamed in full on Peacock.