JaNa Craig was the breakout star of Love Island USA Season 6 thanks to her beauty, sharp wit, vulnerability, and friendship with Leah Kateb and Serena Page, otherwise known as The PPG. Though she made it to finals with Kenny Rodriguez, they had a messy breakup after she found concerning text messages on his phone. The internet, and her co-stars, rallied behind JaNa, continuing to do so after Kenny’s latest stunt.
Two years after leaving the villa, and a year past her very public split, JaNa returned to dating shows, but with a twist. She partnered with Credit One bank for the series, You’re The Credit One For Me.
On this show, contestants were judged on their credit habits as much as their chemistry. The segments were a hit on JaNa’s social media and appeared on episodes of Love Island USA Season 8. Ahead of the two-part reunion hosted by Andy Cohen, which she promised is “pretty crazy,” JaNa spoke to us about her top priorities in a relationship, her future in reality TV, and how reality stars should approach reunions.
What Love Island USA’s JaNa Craig looks for in a man after Kenny Rodriguez split
You’re The Credit One For Me gave JaNa the chance to look for a man based on one of her “biggest priorities” – his credit habits!
“I’ve learned that the small and glamorous habits like checking your score and not maxing out your credit card are low key way more attractive in a man than people think,” JaNa shared. “Because I just feel like a man that knows how to manage his credit wisely probably knows how to maintain a healthy relationship in all aspects of his life. And will probably treat a woman like a queen because he’ll have so many opportunities from his credit habits to take care of a girl!”
After her relationship and breakup with Kenny played out in the tabloids and on podcasts, how does JaNa feel about dating in the public eye? While she wants to keep her love life private, JaNa added, “I want to share happy moments with people. But obviously you’ve seen what I’ve been through. It was a lot.”
She teased, “And you’ll see on the You’re The Credit One For Me reunion, another crazy situation!”
JaNa knows how reality stars should approach reunions
The You’re The Credit One For Me reunion gave JaNa the opportunity to meet and work with Andy Cohen, “the king of reality TV,” whom she called “so witty.” Andy didn’t cohost Season 6’s reunion, where JaNa gave some of the best Love Island USA moments ever.
But he will return for the Love Island USA Season 8 reunion. While JaNa is still working her way through the latest season, she has insightful takes on how the Islanders, and all reality stars, should handle reunions.
“Be open and honest and stand on business,” JaNa said. “Be prepared to reflect. You have to admit your wrongs. Maybe you’re owed an apology, maybe you give an apology. But it’s a good place to get closure, once you look back and see everything, how it all was said and done.” Someone tell that to the men of The Valley!
Would JaNa return to the Love Island USA villa?
JaNa’s return to dating shows with Credit One was “the best experience.” She explained, “It made me feel so comfortable. I learned so much about how to use my credit wisely and increase my credit score. I also feel like it taught the public a lot as well. That’s such a win-win for me to learn and grow for the public to learn and grow. That is the type of show that I would do a thousand times.”
With 2.6 million followers on Instagram, JaNa is very intentional about sharing wise advice with her fans. “I’ve been saying it since you all met me, my credit score is obviously over 800. I think it’s very important for people to learn how simple it is to manage their money. And I’m so grateful that Credit One gave me a platform to share this with people.”
However, don’t hold your breath for JaNa appearing on Love Island Games or an All Stars season any time soon. JaNa said she’s not going back to the villa, unless Credit One builds one for her!
But she would love to do a PPG spinoff show, adding that Leah and Serena’s boyfriends Miguel Harichi and Kordell Beckham would have to join.
“I know the world loves us and we’re so grateful for it.” And JaNa promised the trio’s friendship is as strong as ever. “It looks like we’re not always out and about, but we’re just so private with our lives now. We have a no phone rule sometimes when we’re together. Put the phones down, let’s connect, let’s have a good time.”
In addition to reality TV, JaNa told us, “I would hop into scripted. It just seems exciting.”
Next, you can catch JaNa on the You’re The Credit One For Me two-part reunion, which airs August 31 and September 3 on Peacock and on Credit One Bank’s social media. Check out the trailer below:
