It’s been a year since ‘Love Island USA’ Season 6 stars JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez decided to call it quits. Many were shocked when the news hit the timeline, especially after JaNa’s best friend, Charmane, along with fellow Love Island USA co-stars Serena Page and Leah Kateb, seemingly hinted at Kenny sending alleged racist text messages.
Well, Kenny has officially decided to sit down and clear the air as he shares what led to the breakup, his side of the relationship, and addresses the alleged racist text messages and the backlash that followed.
RELATED: Not Holding Back! ‘Love Island USA’ Star, JaNa Craig, Speaks Out About Split From Kenny Rodriguez Amid Racial Scandal (VIDEO)
Kenny Rodriguez Addresses Racist Text Claims And The Backlash He Faced Following His Breakup With JaNa Craig
Kenny Rodriguez recently sat down with Zachary Cummings on ‘The Journey ‘Podcast, where he opened up about his breakup with JaNa Craig. During the interview, Kenny addressed the alleged racist text message controversy that surfaced after his breakup with JaNa.
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He claimed he generalized a few things while venting to a friend and apologized. Kenny says he understands how the messages could hurt people. He maintained that the messages do not define who he is, explaining they were sent while he was venting after enduring what he described as verbal abuse.
“I’ve dated Black women before. I have Black ancestry. I’m Dominican. Half of my family is dark skin. So how — there was never a problem with race. The problem was with how you were treating me,” he said.
Kenny also alleged that JaNa got physical with him the night she found the messages on his phone. When asked whether any of his ‘Love Island USA’ season 6 castmates reached out following the breakup, Kenny claimed Kordell Beckham did. He added that he has the utmost respect for him.
Kordell Beckham Takes To His Instagram Story To Respond To Kenny Rodriguez
As clips of Kenny Rodriguez continued circulating online Kordell quickly took to his Instagram Story to shut down the claims. Kordell made it clear that he stands with JaNa and that the call didn’t go as Kenny mentioned during the interview. He also denied ever condoning Kenny’s actions, writing, “@kennyrodriguez We not even gon get on how you sat on that podcast and lied the entire time, but what we not gon do is lie like I condoned anything you did/said. After YOU called me I got on that and we haven’t spoke since. Shout out my sis Jana love you for life girl. And keep my mf name out your mouth I don’t fw you bro.”
JaNa Craig Calls Out Kenny Rodriguez As She Denies His Recent Breakup Claims And Assault Allegation
Following Kordell Beckham’s response, JaNa Craig also took to her Instagram Story as she claimed she received a cease-and-desist before Kenny Rodriguez appeared on a podcast and made what she called “straight lies” about her. She challenged Kenny to give her permission to release their text messages, saying they would help tell the full story.
“Very ballsy of you, insane. But if you wanna play, let’s play. I think you should give me permission to drop all the text messages. Why don’t we start there? Give me permission to drop all the text messages, and then we can just go from there. You know everything you told was a lie,” she said in part.
JaNa also said she had stayed quiet for nearly a year following their breakup to focus on herself. She is now waiting for his lawyers to respond. JaNa Craig reposted Kordelll’s Instagram Story responding to Kenny Rodriguez, writing, “Love you Kordell more than anything. My brother for life.”
The following day, she returned to her Instagram Story to address claims that she assaulted Kenny.
“Never in my life have I assaulted anyone, ever. It’s not even in my character. I would never do such a thing. Most importantly, even after I’ve learned from a particular someone their views of the Black community, about the LGBTQ community, about immigrants in our country, even though their dad is an immigrant in America, I still would never, ever get physical,” she said.
Admitting they argued at times like any couple. JaNa also questioned why Kenny was making it seem like they were miserable together. JaNa also reassured fans that she isn’t stressing because she, Jesus, and God know what truly happened throughout their relationship. She thanked supporters for standing by her, adding that she isn’t bothered by the claims and is doing just fine.
