She Became An Anomaly On Reality TV And Found Love, Too

After a whirlwind summer on "Love Island USA," Season 6 winner Serena Page reflects on her life-changing experience, her blossoming influencer era, and redefining representation for Black women on reality TV.Illustration: Jianan Liu/HuffPost; Photo: NBCNo one had a summer quite like Serena Page.The 25-year-old Houston native became a breakout star this year after winning Season 6 of “Love Island USA,” the unscripted American spinoff of the U.K.dating show phenomenon.

Week after week, viewers were glued to their TV screens as they followed Page’s love journey, where she pursued being her most authentic, witty and unapologetic self as she searched for her next love connection.She found that with castmate Kordell Beckham (the younger brother of NFL star Odell Beckham Jr.), whom she’s been happily dating since the show wrapped.

The couple’s example of young Black love, which began as the kind of slow-burn romance not often seen on dating shows, was a breath of fresh air for fans who continue to cheer for the pair’s relationship in real life and on social media.But that’s not the only reason folks are rooting for Page.Her reality TV experience so far has proved to be an anomaly in and of itself.Never before has a Black woman winner from the “Love Island USA” franchise been rewarded with so many opportunities just for being her genuine self.

From major brand deals (NYX Cosmetics, Dunkin’ Donuts and Beyoncé’s Cécred, to name a few) and high-profile public appearances to celebrity mentions and even a surprise music video cameo, Page has had the world at her fingertips lately thanks to the “Love Island” universe.Advertisement “It’s been a roller coaster for sure,” Page says of her newfound fame on a late-October Zoom call.She greets me, camera off, from her Los Angeles apartment, where she’s feeling a bit under the weather as she juggles her new booked-and-busy lifestyle.Life has been a big adjustment for Page since leaving the �...