Love Island USA winner Serena Page took center stage at the ESSENCE GU Disruptor Summit to dish about dating and relationships. For six weeks, the reality star stole the hearts of millions as she searched for true love on the popular dating show this summer. Fans stood by Page as she navigated the challenges of finding a suitable partner. From struggling with vulnerability to surviving heartbreak, Page found her perfect match on the island with castmate Kordell Beckham.
Since leaving the villa in July, the two bombshells have rarely left each other’s side. They’ve been spotted together at New York Fashion Week, appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show, and taken over TikTok with their adorable couple videos. As the Internet’s favorite power couple, #Kordena fans are just as invested in the success and longevity of their relationship.
“Him [Beckham] and this new lifestyle has taught me to just let go and have fun,” Page shares. “Enjoy the moment, especially while you’re in them.”
Although their relationship journey wasn’t easy, Love Island fans admired how Page stood on business by not compromising her standards. In a one-on-one conversation with Vice President of Content Nandi Howard, the reality star shared the importance of staying true to yourself and what lessons she had learned about dating before coming onto the show.
During the “Feedback With Serena” panel, the 25-year-old preached that self-love is essential before entering any type of relationship—whether romantic or platonic. “Loving yourself is so important,” Page tells GU. “Take however much time you need. It can be a day, a month, or a year.”
Page emphasized the importance of learning yourself and encouraged the audience to take the time to understand their boundaries. “Know your standards,” the reality star says. “Know what you want. Figure those [non-negotiables] out. And then it’ll make navigating a relationship so much easier.”
Page was one of the few contestants to stand out on Love Island USA because of her willingness to stick to the boundaries she set from the show’s beginning. She wasn’t easily swayed, and viewers loved her because of that. However, the reality star admitted that she had not always been that way, and it took going through heartbreak to learn how to stand firm on her dating principles.
“It was definitely a journey,” Page begins. “Love Island helped because it brought me Kordell, who makes me feel very special to have an extremely supportive man who wants to see you grow and that will grow with you.”
The bombshell attributed her past failed relationships as the reason she entered the villa with a “stand on business” mindset, regardless of whether that resulted in her being voted off the island. “I was going to stick to what I believe,” she adds. I’m going to stick to my standards and goals. And if that means that I have to go home, that means I have to go home.”
And she did just that. To her surprise, she became the winner, won $100K, and left with a loving partner because she stood by her values. Of course, “standing on business” isn’t always pretty. Page and Kordell’s argument on the dock after the Casa Amour drama was an unforgettable moment from the show’s latest season. The former contestant spoke about the viral emotional clip, admitting that it wasn’t one of her best moments. But, she acknowledged “standing on business” looks different for everybody.
“There is never one way to stand on business,” Page says. “Everybody is their own person and has their own way. I’m not saying my way is right. I could have handled a lot of things better. So, standing on business is unique to you. It’s whatever that means for you.”
Page’s last piece of advice for the captivated audience was on self-worth. “Knowing your worth is extremely important,” Page concludes. “That’ll take you a long way in relationships, friendships, family, and in your workspace. Especially as a Black woman, because they don’t want you to know your worth.”