Fans clamored for seats at the Beautycon Main Stage to get a closer look at their favorite reality TV stars. Love Island USA stars Serena Page, and Jana Craig, joined VP of Unbothered and Somos, Chelsea Sanders, and Unbothered’s Global Deputy Director, Kathleen Newman-Bremang, for a live taping of the Go Off, Sis podcast.
In standout fashion, Page stunned in an all-brown bodysuit, a patent leather corset, and stiletto boots, topped off with a sleek, slicked-back ponytail. Craig wore a metallic gold minidress with matching lace-up stilettos, complemented by blonde body waves.
Experimentation – from style and beauty to business – has been the name of the game for these ladies after the cameras stopped rolling.
Sanders’ first question was about Serena’s seemingly endless waist-length boho braids, which she maintained flawlessly during her time on the island. Page explained that braids were an obvious style choice for her, as they were versatile and durable.
“Before the villa, I had a new hairstyle like every two weeks. Now it’s a little more frequent,” she said. “That’s how I express myself, through my hair. I get bored. I’m like, ‘Oh, I need something new,’ so I need a style that I can do different things with.”
Page teased a new project in the hair space, though she kept the details under wraps. Shortly after leaving the island, she became the star of a Cécred campaign.
After receiving praise from the hosts about her dewy, full beat on the island, Craig admitted that she did her own makeup for the panel because her makeup artist had ghosted her last minute. However, she enjoyed the challenge of experimenting with eyeshadow and blush—looks she didn’t typically try.
“I saw a lot of comments on my makeup, and I just feel so honored and humbled because I tell myself all the time that I don’t know what I’m doing when it comes to makeup,” Craig said. “I love how there are no rules to makeup. You can do your own thing… I just like learning on my own and making my own rules.”
Of course, Newman-Bremang had to ask about love after the villas. Their boyfriends and Love Island co-stars, Kenny Rodriguez and Kordell Beckham, were all smiles in the crowd, recording the panel for their social media channels.
Page burst out in her iconic laugh and gushed about her fellow season winner, praising Beckham for his attentiveness and respect for boundaries as acts of care. Craig giggled and praised Kenny for being a calming presence and for empowering her to learn Spanish to better communicate with him and his family.
Viewers couldn’t get enough of seeing two Black women being thoroughly loved on national TV—a rare occurrence. Page and Craig also got real about facing the reality of being Black women, both on and off-screen. They said they had an idea of how they would be perceived but made sure to stay true to themselves, letting that speak to their characters.
“I said to myself walking in, ‘I’m just going to be soft and gentle at times, as I usually am. I’m going to allow people to underestimate me,’ because I love when people underestimate me,” Craig said. “I love it because I get to prove them wrong.”
But having each other was the best support they could ask for.
“I knew things would be different the second I saw another chocolate queen walk in,” Page said, smiling.
Page and Craig made sure to shout out to their Blossom to their Buttercup and Bubbles, Leah Khateb, as their fierce defender both online and in real life. The “Powerpuff Gang” were a sensational trio, solidifying that despite the naysayers, it really is Friendship Island out here.
Although neither of them expected to become TV personalities—Craig being an entrepreneur and Page working as a media planner—both emphasized the importance of consistency, authenticity, and taking leaps of faith. These qualities helped them become the women they are today.