EXCLUSIVE: Kady McDermott shot to fame on Love Island’s second season in 2016, where she fell for Scott Thomas and became one of the standout stars of the year – but she’s 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.
Just 20 years old at the time, she was known for her fiery personality, no-nonsense attitude, and her romance with Scott Thomas, which became one of the central storylines that year. The pair finished third but eventually went their separate ways.
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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“I was a bit crazy, actually fell in love on the show, and didn’t know how to handle my emotions,” she reflects. But I’m more controlled now. I still don’t take any rubbish, but I protect my energy. I’m 30 this year – I can’t be dealing with drama like I did at 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.
“Season 2 was iconic – season, and everyone says it,” Kady proudly says. “We did what we wanted. It was more organic.”
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 producers expected ‘Crazy Kady’ from season 2, but I’d changed. There were huge characters, and I felt small in comparison.” The experience left her so shaken that she seriously considered quitting the show just before Casa Amor.
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 does regret doing the show [for the second time around], but part of me is glad I did it. It made me more grateful for season 2. Seasons 1 to 3 were so organic. I feel lucky I was on one of those.”
These days, Kady is much more selective about what she shares — especially when it comes to her love life. Her current relationship is a testament to that. The couple began seeing each other in April 2024 and made things official later that summer. Though they briefly broke up, they reconciled in November and have been going strong 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.”
As for why fans thought they’d broken up? It came down to the internet’s obsession with tiny digital signals — like unfollowing someone on Instagram. “People write made-up stories. It’s stressful if you’re already going through something. I used to struggle with that a lot,” Kady admits.
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 asked if she thinks the show is about love or opportunities, she says: “I do, but it’s rare now. People know what they’re going in for. Even I didn’t go purely for love. Now it’s such a big show, people have strategies and want success, which is understandable.”
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.
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