Love Island USA’s Liv Walker on Kaylor, Aaron and their time in the villa

• Love Island USALiv Walker was evicted from the villa in an episode that aired on Peacock on Thursday night.
• She became a fan favorite thanks to her witty remarks and unwavering support for her friends.
• She speaks exclusively to PEOPLE about who she wants to win and more.

Liv Walker did not find a love relationship on Love Island USA – but she has found over a dozen new best friends.

“It was just the best experience of my life. I loved it. I would never fault it,” Liv, 22, tells PEOPLE exclusively after she was kicked off the island along with Catherine Marshall and Daia McGhee in a dramatic episode that aired Thursday night on Peacock. “I have no regrets.”

The Sydney-based blonde entered the villa like a bombshell on day two and immediately caused a stir by setting her sights on Rob Rausch, who was dating Leah Kateb at the time.

During her time in Fiji, she dated Rob, Hakeem White, Miguel Harichi, Nigel Okafor and Caine Bacon. Although her relationships faltered, she quickly became a fan favourite thanks to her tireless support of her girlfriends, her quick-witted one-liners and her uncompromising ability to speak her mind no matter who was in the firing line.

“Everyone is great,” she says of her colleagues, “and the drama only gets more exciting.”

Here, the reality star answers burning questions, including how she feels about her enemy Leah, what she really thinks about the relationship between Kaylor Martin and Aaron Evans – and who she thinks should win the big money in the end.

PEOPLE: How are you feeling? What’s going through your mind?

LIV WALKER: I feel all kinds of things. I’m obviously really sad about leaving my friends, but I’m also so grateful and happy that I can go back to reality. I don’t regret anything. I feel like I did everything I would do out there. Maybe I could have handled certain arguments better, but I love standing up for my friends, and if that means I get called names or looked at like that, then I’ll take it.

Things got a little heated with Leah during movie night. How are you two doing now?

Leah and I are like evil twin sisters. I’ve never had a sister, but we fight like sisters and make up like sisters. We’re super close, even though it probably doesn’t seem like it. We both stand up for what we think is right, and I feel like we go a little overboard sometimes, but I love her to death. I’m rooting for her.

Understandably, you had a rocky start when you entered the villa and stole the man.

Nobody thought I would do it! So it was a shock factor. (But) we all got through it.

You also seem to have found a friend for life in Kaylor. What do you think of her relationship with Aaron?

She’s my absolute poster child. I absolutely adore her. I’ve always said she’ll be my maid of honor or bridesmaid forever because she’s such a genuine soul and sees the best in everyone, no matter if they’ve been hurt. (Aaron) has treated her badly a lot, and it’s a difficult situation because I love Aaron so much too. And he really cares about her so much, and he knows he messed up a lot. Personally, I think if you get the chance to explain everything you’ve done, you should just say everything! I feel like him not saying everything and saying he forgot (about things that happened with Daniela Ortiz-Rivera in Casa Amor) somehow made the situation worse.

And look, I want the best for her. If I was in her situation, would I take him back? Probably not. But I’m not in the situation and I don’t see the chats they have individually. I like them together when they’re good, but also, yeah, I don’t want to hurt my girl. When we found out he was moving on (The traitors), he wasn’t exactly in good standing with the girls. We said: “We can understand why you were there. Traitor. Yes, we understand.”

After Casa, you teamed up with Caine. Why did you choose him and when did you realize that you weren’t necessarily the best couple?

At some point I wanted to come back from Casa single. I thought about that. And I knew I didn’t want to bring anyone back just to save myself or whatever, because you would see on my face that I couldn’t stand to talk to that person. (But) Caine is a nice guy. He’s very direct and honest, and that’s something I like. We didn’t really get to know each other at the beginning, but it came down to, “Okay, he expressed interest, he tried, he made an effort.”

How did you feel when he shifted his focus to Sierra Mills? Were you disappointed or did you see it coming?

I wasn’t disappointed, as bad as that sounds. He did express interest in talking to Sierra, but everyone knew about it except me, and I said, ‘If you want to meet someone, I’m fine. Just let me know so I know where I stand.’ And he didn’t. If you have enough time to tell the guys, you have enough time to tell the Casa girls, and then you had two seconds to tell me in a casual remark. We sleep in the same bed. Nobody wants to hear about something through the grapevine. (But) I wish him the best. Sierra is gorgeous, and you can’t hate her because she’s so sweet.

Shortly before Casa, Rob expressed interest in possibly starting over with you.

Rob and I obviously had a very rocky start. In the beginning I was so nervous and I wasn’t the same person, but as time went on we both became ourselves. We have the same sense of humor and I’ve obviously always found him attractive. Right before Casa I was going to pick him (at the reunion) but Cass (Laudano) picked him first. Then it was kind of like we have the same sense of humor, we get along, you’re attractive. We could maybe see where it goes again.

Did you think about him during the Casa? And were you disappointed when he came back with Daniela?

I thought, “Oh, maybe…” because there was this one conversation (outside Casa) and nobody else knew about it. A small part of me thought about him, I’m not going to lie. But no, when he came back with Daniela… I thought it was Andrea (Carmona)! I thought Andrea was going to be there.

But all the possibilities between you two ended with Casa?

Yes.

You were understandably very upset when you were called a “mean girl” in a tweet during the challenge. What do you have to say to fans who interpreted your behavior as that of a “mean girl”?

I don’t know if it’s my personality, I don’t know what it is, but also all of my friends back home are very direct and upfront. And personally, I love friends who tell me how it is and don’t beat around the bush. I never want to be seen or known as a mean girl. This really hit home for me because I pride myself on being there for my friends and I feel like a lot of times I put other people before myself. I like to see them happy. I know a tweet isn’t what everyone feels, but at the end of the day, I know everyone has my back saying, “That’s not who you are.” I can understand that being direct and upfront can come across as a mean girl, but if standing up for your friends and wanting their best is mean, then that’s me. I don’t care.

Do you think the Love Island Formula can work?

I really do. I feel like even though it didn’t work for me, it’s a situation where you have to be vulnerable, you have to be honest and you have to just say how you feel because time is not on your side.

What do you think viewers should know about what really goes on in the villa?

It’s hard, I’m not going to lie. It’s not easy. It’s hard to see people you like talking right in front of you. It’s long days. Even though it seems like we’re just sitting by the pool, it’s exhausting. When you have an argument or a situation with friends or someone you like at home, you get distracted by the phone or talking to your parents or other friends and you work it out and then you get over it and forget about it. But here you are, “I have to sleep next to this person.” We all have thick skin.

You are from Australia. Would you be open to moving to the USA if you found love there?

Yes, 100%. I love the United States. When I came on the show, I told them that if I found someone, I would move. And I’m not going to say that I haven’t done that yet, because who knows what could happen. But yes, I definitely would.

Could viewers see you in another reality show?

I would not say that I would not be open to another reality show. I need a little break – I want to hang out with my friends for a bit, enjoy the moment, but I wouldn’t say no. I don’t know what though. With a loved one I’m like, “Eh, I’m taking a break.” Maybe (meet) someone from outside.

Do you stay in touch with your fellow islanders?

Yes, these are friends I will have for life. Everyone has contributed something different to the team and we have all learned from each other. I don’t know who will win, but I wish they could all win because they are honestly the sweetest girls ever.

Who are you rooting for to win?

Of course I want my unconditional sister Kaylor to win. But that’s the hard part. There are Nicole (Jacky) and Kendall (Washington), who are stable, straight, have no problems, are perfect and in love with each other. Then there are Serena (Page) and Kordell (Beckham), and I think they’re super strong too. I’m rooting for my friend Kaylor, but if we assume stability, I think Kendall and Nicole will win. Leah and Miguel are the underdogs in my opinion. Everyone loves Leah.

Love Island USA airs daily except Wednesdays at 9pm ET/6pm PT on Peacock.