Kady McDermott rose to fame in Love Island’s second season in 2016, becoming one of the standout stars of the year, but she has come a long way since then.
For those new to the Love Island universe, Kady McDermott rose to fame as one of the standout contestants on the show’s second season in 2016.
She was known for her fiery personality, no-nonsense attitude, and romance with Scott Thomas, which became one of the main stories that year, even though she was only 20 years old. The pair eventually separated, finishing third.
Now 29 and about to turn 30 in September, Kady has evolved a lot since her “pocket rocket” days – a nickname that still follows her and has opened up about how she was “not herself” during her latest stint on the show. It comes after Taylor Swift sparks engagement rumours as fans spot Travis Kelce’s lock screen .
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She recalls how she reacted to her emotions, saying, “I was a little crazy, actually fell in love on the show, and didn’t know how to handle my emotions.” However, I’ve grown more restrained. I still don’t eat any leftovers, but I do keep my energy intact. I’m 30 this year, and I’m not as good at dealing with drama as I was 20.
She returned to the Love Island villa in 2023 for Season 10 – a rare move that saw her go from one of the show’s early icons to a “bombshell” in a more polished, highly produced version of the reality dating juggernaut.
Everyone says “Kady proudly says that Season 2 was the most iconic season,” “and everyone says it.” We obtained our desired outcomes. It had a more organic feel to it.
That sense of freedom was stripped away by the time she re-entered the villa seven years later. “Coming back on season 10 felt like a shock to the system… producers sometimes stopped you from speaking to people. They had ideas about who should be with who.”
That shift didn’t just change the gameplay — it affected Kady personally. “I wasn’t myself,” she admits.
Even the producers had anticipated “Crazy Kady” from season 2, but I’d changed. I felt small in comparison to the other characters, who were enormous. She seriously considered quitting the show just before Casa Amor because of the experience, which she described as “so shaken.”
Unlike her first run, Kady didn’t find love in season 10. “I didn’t like anyone, so I was calmer,” she says simply. But it did reignite her presence in the public eye – something she’s learned to handle differently now. “I’m not one of those influencers who’s always at every event. I kind of keep to myself – probably a rubbish influencer really!”
Part of me regrets doing the show [for the second time], but the other is pleased that I did it. I was more appreciative of season 2 because of it. The first three episodes were so organic. I consider myself fortunate to have participated in one of those.
Kady is much more selective about what she shares these days, particularly in her romantic life. That is demonstrated by her current relationship. In April 2024, the couple first met, and later that summer, things officially started. They reconciled in November despite a brief breakup, and things have been going well ever since.
Her partner isn’t in the typical influencer crowd either — which suits Kady just fine. “He was on a show eight years ago, so he understands it a bit, but he’s very private now. His Instagram is private, he barely posts. I love that,” she says. “I wouldn’t want to be with someone who wanted everything shared online.”
What led some people to believe they had split up? It was due to the obsession with tiny digital signals on the internet, such as unfollowing an Instagram user. Created fiction is written by people. If you’re already experiencing something, it’s stressful. Kay admits that she used to have a lot of trouble with that.
It’s a big reason she’s pulled back from sharing intimate relationship moments. “When you’re with someone from the show, people expect updates. But if your partner’s not in that world, it’s easier to keep it low-key.”
As the show comes to a halt tonight for its most “iconic” series yet, dubbed by fans as “TV Gold”, Kady is weary of just how much people go in their for love.
When questioned about whether she believes the show is about opportunities or love, she replies, “Yes, but it’s rare now.” People are aware of their goals. Even so, I didn’t abandon my love interests. People have strategies and desire success, which is understandable given that it is such a big show right now.
Tonight, viewers will see either Toni and Cach, Yasmin and Jamie, Shakira and Harry or Ty and Angel take home the crown as the 12th series concludes.
