JaNa Craig has responded to Kenny Rodriguez’s claims throughout a current podcast, the place he advised “his facet” of their break up.
Supply: Greg Doherty / Getty
The previous couple met throughout Season 6 of Love Island USA and made it to the ultimate episode of the collection, shortly turning into one of many present’s most beloved {couples}. After coming in third place, they continued relationship in actual life and later appeared collectively on the spin-off collection, Past the Villa.
In July 2025, only one 12 months after their season aired, the pair introduced that their relationship was over. Regardless of a 12 months having handed since their break up, issues are heating up as soon as once more, with Rodriguez addressing their break up throughout a current podcast look.
Through the July 20 episode of The Journey Podcast with Zachary Cummings, Rodriguez publicly mentioned the racist messages that Craig beforehand claimed to have found on his cellphone. In accordance with Kenny, their relationship grew to become more and more troublesome over time, claiming JaNa was verbally abusive.
Rodriguez claims he tried to finish their relationship a number of instances, however mentioned Craig repeatedly pleaded with him to remain.
“I’m expressing to you that I’m damage, that I don’t need to be within the relationship. And also you’re insisting that you simply’re going to alter, that you simply’re going to deal with me with respect, that you simply’re not going to curse at me,” he mentioned on the podcast.
In accordance with Rodriguez, he selected to not converse publicly concerning the splot during the last 12 months as a result of he didn’t need to negatively painting his ex, however now, he charge;s compelled to inform his facet after ongoing criticism of him following their breakup.
“I don’t need to come out as a result of that’s not who I’m. So, [I said], ‘We’ll see if it goes away.’ And it will by no means go away,” he defined.
In reference to the textual content messages JaNa uncovered, Rodriguez mentioned he accepted duty for what he wrote, however disputed claims that his feedback mirrored racial prejudice.
“I take full accountability for it,” he started. “However I’ve dated Black girls earlier than. I’ve Black ancestry. I’m Dominican. Half of my household is dark-skinned. So there was by no means an issue with race.”
“I made a press release that I’m not happy with, and I take full accountability for it,” Kenny continued. “However I feel it’s a bit unjust to take that state of affairs and to have that outline me and run with that.”
In a collection of Instagram Tales posted on Tuesday, July 21, JaNa firmly denied all of Rodriguez’s allegations and guaranteed followers that authorized motion is being pursued.
“By no means in my life have I assaulted anybody. Ever. It’s not even in my character,” she mentioned, later including, “I’m not a violent particular person.”
She went on to dispute a number of of Rodriguez’s claims, together with allegations that she begged for him to return again or repeatedly tried to reconcile.
“In the event you suppose I’ve 74 screenshots of somebody confessing concerning the nastiest, worst issues you can say then you definately clearly don’t know me. I’d by no means do such factor. That’s loopy,” she mentioned to the digital camera. “And please know there was by no means a dialog about me begging his household for him again. There was by no means a breakup the place he ignored me for 3 days. It’s actually all a lie.”
Craig concluded by saying she would permit her attorneys to deal with the matter transferring ahead.
“I’m gonna let my legal professionals take it from right here, and we’re leaving it at that. I hope you guys have a blessed day. And by no means ever neglect, when somebody comes for you, I’m guessing perhaps the funds are low. I’m assuming you needed to do 60 minutes, 90 minutes of an entire lie for a greenback, and now you’re about to be in overdraft. As a result of I don’t know why you thought that was a good suggestion, however….”
Following the discharge of the podcast, Craig shared one other Instagram Tales video directed at Rodriguez, criticizing him for allegedly sending her a cease-and-desist letter earlier than discussing their relationship publicly.
“Very ballsy of you,” she mentioned. “How f—ing insane. However if you wish to f***ing play. Let’s f***ing play. I feel you need to give me permission to drop all of the textual content messages. Why don’t we begin there?”
“But in addition, how about you inform your 99-cent-ass-f***ing legal professionals to reply the f***ing cellphone. As a result of what you’re not about to do is ever suppose you possibly can come for me and get away with it,” she added.
The fallout has additionally pulled in fellow Love Island USA star Kordell Beckham.
Rodriguez claimed on the podcast that Beckham contacted him after the breakup and mentioned he nonetheless had “the utmost respect” for his former castmate. Beckham shortly disputed that model of occasions on Instagram Tales.
“We not even gon get on the way you sat on that podcast and lied your complete time, however what we not gon do is lie like I condoned something you probably did/mentioned,” he wrote. “After YOU known as me I acquired on that ass and we haven’t spoke since.”
“Shout out my sis Jana love you for all times lady,” Beckham added. “And hold my mf title out your mouth I don’t fw you bro.”
Craig later reposted Beckham’s assertion, including:
“Love you Kordell greater than something. My brother for all times.”
When the couple first introduced their breakup final 12 months, each launched separate statements. Craig mentioned on the time that hypothesis surrounding the break up did not seize what had actually occurred.
“Discovering that somebody you liked isn’t who you thought they had been and that the connection you thought you had been constructing hasn’t been real since day one has been actually devastating,” Craig continued.
Rodriguez, in the meantime, mentioned he had come to appreciate that their relationship wasn’t sustainable in the long term.
“I’ll at all times be pleased about the time we shared and the recollections we created. I launch this chapter with no in poor health will, solely a hope that JaNa’s path ahead brings her nothing however happiness.”
Craig later fired again at his assertion on social media, writing:
“stfu you manipulative liar. You not taking accountability and telling folks the kind of particular person you actually are is insane to me!!”
“My first assertion was me being good. Don’t piss me off,” she then added.
Now that legal professionals are concerned, it looks like their drama would possibly make its approach out of the highlight.
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