The crossover between Vanderpump Rules and Love Island USA continued this weekend when Katie Maloney appeared as a guest on Aftersun. Katie’s appearance on the Maura Higgins-hosted show was highly anticipated, and not just because it reunited her with pal and business partner Ariana Madix. The Something About Her co-owner is famous for her blunt, “call it like I see it” attitude. And her unrelenting willingness to call out men’s bad behavior made her a standout in VPR Season 11.
Considering Love Island is chock full of men behaving badly, fans were looking forward to her knocking some of the guys down a peg. Of course, Katie didn’t disappoint. Hopefully, this is the first of many Katie appearances on future Aftersun episodes. Here are some of the standout moments from her Love Island USA Aftersun debut that left us wanting more.
Katie Maloney praises Ariana’s Love Island USA hosting
Katie was the most supportive of Ariana during VPR Season 11, and that hasn’t changed. She gushed about Ariana’s successful dream hosting gig, calling her co-star a “natural.” Katie also revealed that Ariana was the one who got her into the dating show in the first place. And, according to Ariana, they started exclusively speaking in the Love Island language (very relatable to any fan of this show). Katie even gifted Ariana one of Love Island’s signature water bottles, which Ariana called her “first piece of Love Island lore.” Aftersun host Maura Higgins promised to make it to the sandwich shop and even suggested they add a toastie, aka the Islanders’ favorite food, to the menu.
Katie Maloney shades Tom Schwartz to warn the Love Island USA girls
The VPR star was, naturally, asked for her opinions on the Love Island USA Season 6 cast. “The men have disappointed, but I’m used to that,” she joked, adding that she was so proud of all the women. As for specific contestants, she loved Kordell Beckham and Serena Page but wasn’t as keen on Aaron Evans. Fans compared Aaron to Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz, so that’s not entirely surprising. I wonder if Katie had “ring on a string” flashbacks when Aaron gave Kaylor Martin a seashell on a chain.
Katie slammed Aaron for manipulating Kaylor and invalidating her feelings “just to bypass his terrible behavior.” Specifically, she referenced The Traitors UK winner saying “You’re smarter than this” when Kaylor got upset over a video of him making out with Daniela Noelle.
“I essentially married my Aaron, so let me be the cautionary tale,” Katie said, throwing shade at Schwartz. “It doesn’t have to be this way,” she advised Kaylor, “it doesn’t have to be the highs and the lows, that’s not love.” She expressed simultaneous frustration and empathy at Kaylor folding and forgiving him so quickly. Cely Vasquez agreed, reflecting on her similar experience in Love Island USA Season 2.
Katie reminds Callum Hole that “no woman wants to be an option”
The Aftersun panel disagreed on Kenny Rodriguez’s actions in Casa Amor. Callum Hole argued that Kenny did nothing wrong by bringing another girl to the villa. “Why not bring someone else back into the villa to test two connections at once,” the Love Island Games star asked. “Why not?!” Katie pushed back, adding, “Because no woman wants to be an option!”
“If it’s not a fuck yes, it’s a fuck no, my guy,” she said. “I don’t want a guy I met to be like, ‘Well now I don’t know.’ It’s like, well then I’ll make the decision for you…bye!” Making the moment even better was Cely hyping up everything about Katie’s dating philosophy.
It ended on a classic bit of Love Island banter, as Katie asked Callum how that approach was working for him. He laughed, “I mean I’m single, so don’t take too much advice.” Katie then joked back that he should stop dating.
Katie loves Liv
Though Liv Walker was an early bombshell, she might as well be a Day One girl. Liv didn’t find a romantic connection, but she became a big sister figure to the girls- despite being younger than most of them. As the ultimate girl’s girl, Liv’s fiery personality gained a legion of fans, including Katie.
As Liv reflected on her Love Island journey, she wondered if she should be less outspoken. Fans cheered when she fought back, and when she always stood up for the girls, especially her BFF Kaylor. However, Liv got a lot of flack from the guys in the villa. That’s something that Katie is familiar with throughout her time on VPR.
When Maura asked what she learned, Liv said she realized that sometimes she needs to let people stand up for themselves. “I’m still learning that, and I’m nearly 40,” Katie said. However, Katie advised her, “Don’t lose your voice.” She continued, “That’s so lovely about you, that you’re not afraid and you don’t back down, and you never should.” Katie also referenced the moment when all the girls stood behind Liv to prevent her from getting eliminated. She even said she wanted a photo from that scene to hang on her wall.
Much like Ariana, Katie gushed over the Love Island USA girls’ supportive friendships. After a disappointing season of VPR, viewers of both shows would agree, that it’s very refreshing. And that insight and experience is a reason we hope Katie returns for Aftersun, either for next week’s finale or for future seasons.
Don’t forget you can also catch Katie on Vanderpump Rules, streaming on Peacock.
TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF KATIE MALONEY’S LOVE ISLAND USA: AFTERSUN APPEARANCE?
