Sex bomb Liv Walker is “grateful” for the sisterhood in season 6 of “Love Island USA”: “They are the most amazing girls”

From the moment she entered the villa on Peacock’s, Love Island USAOlivia “Liv” Walker has captured our hearts. As the first bombshell of Season 6, the girls were rightfully suspicious of her at first—after all, it’s her job to try to steal a man—but Walker quickly won them over with her humor, good nature, beauty, and fierce protectiveness. Although Walker’s bond with the women never wanes, the same cannot be said about her connection with the men. Over the course of her journey, she dated 5 different men, but the chemistry never seemed to be there. “I learned something different about myself with each guy, but I couldn’t fake a connection and maintain the relationship,” Walker said.

While Walker didn’t find her soulmate in the villa, she did find sisters for life. “I didn’t have sisters before, but I know what it’s like now,” Walker explained. “We fought like sisters. We made up like sisters. We lived like sisters.” Of all the wonderful women she’s met, Walker’s connection with Kaylor Martin has become a friendship that viewers everywhere will envy. “She brings out the best in me,” Walker said. “She’s been there for me from day one.” While Walker supports Martin in every way, she wishes her friend would be a little more cautious about her relationship with Aaron Evans, who misbehaved during his time with Cara Amor. “Aaron is a great guy, but he misbehaved in certain situations,” Walker said simply.

Walker also appreciates that this experience allowed her to meet two of her reality TV heroes: Love Island USA Presenter Ariana Madix and Madix’s Vanderpump Rules co-star Katie Maloney. As two women who have “experienced being on television and being in a relationship,” her guidance has been invaluable to Walker. Madix, in particular, has been a “shoulder to cry on.” “She became part of the family,” Walker gushed. “We cherish every moment we get to spend with her.”

Walker spoke with DECIDER via Zoom to chat about her journey, the friendships she’s made, and what the experience has meant to her.

DECISION MAKING: There was a lot of excitement online about your elimination! What’s it like to have the support of the fans?

LIV WALKER: I’m incredibly grateful for the love and support from everyone. I mean, when I left the villa I had no idea. I honestly thought there would maybe be mixed opinions after that tweet challenge, but I’m still shocked at the number of people who are like, ‘Oh my god, we loved you.’ It’s crazy.

What was it like to be one of the first hits of the season and to make it this far?

It was the best experience of my life. I was incredibly grateful to be the first bombshell. It’s never easy being a bombshell. You don’t want to go there and steal someone’s man, especially when the women have just started getting to know them. When I was there in the beginning, I was able to really get to know everyone, which I’m extremely grateful for.

While on the island you were with Rob, Hakeem, Miguel, Nigel and Caine. Is there a connection you want to pursue in the real world?

I never say no to anything. Anything is possible. I definitely can’t fake anything though, as you’ve probably noticed. I’ve learned something different about myself with each guy, but I couldn’t fake a connection and still stay together, you know? I don’t know what could happen in the outside world. Someone could come back and make me feel like, “Oh my God, I’m in love.” I just go with the flow.

Is there a part of you that wishes you could have explored things further with Rob?

Definitely before we went to the Casa. There was just some friendly flirting, probably because we were the only two singles there. So we figured, why not? But we’re just friends.

Although you didn’t find a love interest, you left with a lot of new sisters. What has the sisterhood of Love Island USA What did season 6 mean to you?

The sisterhood has meant everything to me. I didn’t have sisters before, but I know what it’s like now. We fought like sisters. We made up like sisters. We lived like sisters. Each of these girls brought something different that made me better before I left. They are friends I will have for life. We supported each other and were honest about the hard things. They are the most amazing girls. They are strong, independent women. And they are also funny as hell. I haven’t watched any of it, but hopefully you get the sense that they are hilarious.

It’s clear that you and Kaylor have one of the closest bonds among women. What do you value most about your friendship?

I love everything about Kaylor. She brings out the best in me. People say we’re like yin and yang. She’s very mature. I know she cries a lot (laughs), but she’s just very emotional and passionate. She’s been there for me from day one. I mean, I came and took someone’s man away. It was probably easier for people to say, “No, I don’t trust her,” but she supported me. She understood where I was coming from. Any time I was sad or anything, she was there to support me. That’s such a pure quality. So, I love her. I think she deserves the world.

I know things got heated during movie night with Leah, but it’s clear that there’s a lot of love between the two of you. Why do you think you fight so often?

I feel like Leah and I have very similar personalities. We stand up for what we think. We are very independent and very passionate. I love Leah so much. We say we fight more than the others, like sisters, but we get along ten times better. We got over the fights and supported each other. I haven’t seen that much of the show. Some clips may not have shown how close we were at times.

Since leaving the villa, you’ve been vocal about Kaylor being wary of Aaron. What could he do to be worthy of Kaylor?

Aaron is a great guy, but he has been a little off in certain situations. Kaylor wants to see action, while Aaron tells Kaylor what she wants to hear about what’s happening at Casa, but then does something else. He has lied over and over. Didn’t he realize there were cameras everywhere? She’ll see everything when she gets out. Apparently Aaron’s behavior at Casa is worse than what I’ve seen so far.

It seemed like you and Ariana’s friend Katie Maloney got along really well After sun. What was it like to affirm your decision to stay true to yourself and use your voice instead of remaining silent?

I love Katie. I have loved her since day one. Vanderpump Rules. She has experience on TV and in a relationship. It’s really nice to have someone who’s been through it all and give you that validation. I really can’t thank her enough. She made me feel good. I thought, “Okay, if she can do it and I love her and everyone loves her, then I can do it too.”

How do you think Ariana is doing as a host this season?

The queen herself! Ariana is incredible. She looks stunning every night. It’s not fair. Plus, she’s famous on reality TV. She knows what it’s like to be in relationships on camera. She was a shoulder to cry on. She was there for everyone and listened to everyone. She was always a comfort. Even when Casa split up, she brought Kaylor to her girls instead of Aaron. Little things like that have helped Kaylor and the girls feel more comfortable. Ariana is part of the family. We enjoy every moment we get to spend with her. Even when she brings bad news, we say, “Yes, Queen!”

“You have to learn to close the window and know that the sun will set the next day” is one of your iconic quotes from the series. What do you think you will take away from this experience?

I will take so much with me. I feel Love Island gave me the opportunity to do three things: find love, make friends, and learn so much about myself. The fact that I was able to accomplish two of those three things is a real win. That doesn’t happen to everyone. I’m extremely grateful. I can’t wait to see what happens next for me and everyone else.