From the minute she entered the villa on Peacock’s Love Island USA, Olivia “Liv” Walker stole our hearts. As the first bombshell of Season 6, the girls were rightfully wary of her at first—after all, it is her job to try and steal a man—but Walker quickly won them over with her humor, good nature, beauty, and fierce protectiveness. Though Walker’s bond with the women never falters, the same cannot be said about her connection with the men. Over the course of her journey, she was coupled with 5 different men, but the chemistry never seemed to click. “I learned something different about myself when I was with each guy, but I couldn’t fake a connection and stay coupled up,” said Walker.

While Walker didn’t find her soul mate in the villa, she did find sisters for life. “I haven’t had sisters before, but I know what it’s like now,” explained Walker. “We fought like sisters. We made up like sisters. We lived like sisters.” Out of all the amazing women she met, Walker’s bond with Kaylor Martin has become friendship viewers everywhere will envy. “She brings out the best side of me,” said Walker. “She was there for me from day one.” While Walker is supportive of Martin in every way, she wishes that her friend would be a little more wary of her relationship with Aaron Evans, who misbehaved during his time at Cara Amor. “Aaron’s a great guy, but he’s acted a bit out of line in certain situations,” said Walker simply.

Walker also appreciates she got to meet two of her reality TV heroes during this experience: Love Island USA host Ariana Madix and Madix’s Vanderpump Rules co-star Katie Maloney. As two women who have had the “experience of being on TV and being in a relationship,” their guidance has been invaluable to Walker. Madix especially has been a “shoulder to cry on.” “She became a part of the family,” gushed Walker. “We cherish every moment we get to be with her.”

Walker spoke to DECIDER over Zoom to dish on her journey, the friendships she formed, and what the experience has meant to her.

DECIDER: The internet was in turmoil over your elimination! What is it like to have the support of the fans?

LIV WALKER: I am incredibly grateful for everyone’s love and support. I mean, coming out of the Villa, I had no idea. I honestly thought maybe there was going to be mixed opinions after that tweet challenge, but I’m still in shock at the number of people who are like, “oh my God, we loved you.” It’s insane.

What was it like being one of the first bombshells of this season and making it this far?

It was the best experience of my life. I was extremely grateful to be the first bombshell. It’s never easy being a bombshell. You don’t want to go in there and steal anyone’s man, especially when the women have just started to get to know them. Going in at the beginning, I was able to really get to know everyone, for which I’m extremely thankful.

Over the course of your stay on the Island, you were coupled up with Rob, Hakeem, Miguel, Nigel, and Caine. Is there any connection you’d like to pursue back in the real world?

I never say no to anything. No cards are off the table. I definitely can’t fake things though, as you probably can tell. I learned something different about myself when I was with each guy, but I couldn’t fake a connection and stay coupled up, you know? I don’t know what could happen in the outside world. Someone might come back around and make me feel like, “oh my God, I’m in love.” I just go with the flow.

Is there any part of you that wishes you could have explored things with Rob further?

Definitely, before we went into Casa. There was just a little bit of friendly flirts probably because we were both the only singles in there. So, we were like, why not? But we’re just friends.

Although you didn’t find a love connection, you did leave with a bunch of new sisters. What has the sisterhood of Love Island USA Season 6 meant to you?

The sisterhood has meant the world to me. I haven’t had sisters before, but I know what it’s like now. We fought like sisters. We made up like sisters. We lived like sisters. Every one of those girls brought something different to the table that made me better before I left. They are friends I will have for life. We all had each other’s back, and we were honest about the hard things. They are the most amazing girls. They’re strong, independent women. They’re funny as hell too. I haven’t watched anything, but hopefully it comes across that they are hilarious.

It’s clear you and Kaylor have one of the closest connections among the women. What about your friendship do you cherish the most?

I love everything about Kaylor. She brings out the best side of me. People have said we’re like yin and yang. She’s very mature. I know she cries a lot [laughs], but she’s just very emotional and passionate. She was there for me from day one. I mean, I did come in and steal someone’s man. It was probably easier for people to be like, “no, I don’t trust her,” but she had my back. She understood where I was coming from. Every time I was sad or something, she was there to support me. That’s such a pure quality. So, I love her. I think she deserves the world.

I know things got heated during Movie Night with Leah, but it’s clear there is a lot of love between you two. Why do you think you two butt heads so much?

I feel like Leah and I have very much the same personality. We stand up for what we think. We are very independent and very passionate. I have so much love for Leah. We say that we fight more than the others, like sisters, but we make up 10 times better. We got over the arguments, and we had each other’s back. I haven’t seen all that much of the show. Some clips might not have shown how close we were at times.

Since leaving the villa, you’ve been pretty vocal that Kaylor should be wary of Aaron. What could he do to be worthy of Kaylor?

Aaron’s a great guy, but he acted a bit out of line in certain situations. Kaylor wants to see action, while Aaron Aaron would tell Kaylor what she wanted to hear about what was happening in Casa, but then do something else. He lied again and again. Did he not realize that there were cameras everywhere? She’s going to see everything when she gets out. Apparently, Aaron’s behavior in Casa is worse than what I’ve seen so far.

It seemed like you and Ariana’s friend Katie Maloney were really bonding on Aftersun. What was it like for her to validate your decision to be true to yourself and use your voice rather than stay quiet?

I love Katie. I’ve loved her since day one on Vanderpump Rules. She’s had experience being on TV and being in a relationship. It’s really nice to have someone who has been through it all give you that validation. I really can’t thank her enough. She gave me an easy mind. I was like, “okay, if she can do it, and I love her and everyone loves her, then I can do it.”

How do you think Ariana is doing as the host this season?

The queen herself! Ariana is incredible. She looks bomb every night. It’s not fair. Also, she’s famous on reality TV. She knows what it’s like to have relationships on-camera. She’s been a shoulder to cry on. She’s been there listening to everyone. She’s always felt like comfort. Even at the recoupling from Casa, she switched Kaylor to be with her girls rather than with Aaron. Little things like that made Kaylor and the girls feel more comfortable. Ariana is a part of the family. We cherish every moment we get to be with her. Even when she comes with bad news, we’re like, “yes, queen!”

“You have to learn to shut the window and know that there will be a sunset the next day” is one of your iconic quotes from the series. What do you think you will take away from this experience?

I will take away so much. I feel like Love Island gave me the opportunity for three things: finding love, making friendships and learning so much about myself. The fact that I was able to grab two out of the three is such a win. It’s something that doesn’t happen to everyone. I am extremely grateful. I just can’t wait to see what happens next for myself and everyone else.