Love Island's Leah Kateb Deserves All the Clout She Gets

Season 6 of Love Island USA was packed full of drama and scandalous moments that make us keep watching—betrayals, intense fights, Casa Amor heartbreaks. And while the whole cast had their moments, one star stood out and became a social media sensation: Leah Kateb. Since her time in the villa, she's been everywhere, most recently popping up at the Wicked movie premiere over the weekend. So, let’s dive into why Leah Kateb is thriving like no other Love Island alum.

We’ve never seen a Love Island cast member skyrocket to social media fame quite like Leah Kateb. Even before the show ended, while they were all still in the villa, Leah had already amassed over a million followers on Instagram. As of recently, she’s sitting at 3.7M on Instagram and 4.2M on TikTok. But she’s not just gaining social media clout—she’s also popping up on red carpets and snagging interviews usually reserved for A-listers.

Over the weekend, Leah surprised fans by attending the Wicked movie premiere at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on November 9, 2024. She walked the carpet in a deep blue velvet gown with a plunging neckline and elegant updo. Alongside her was none other than her boyfriend and fellow Love Island star, Miguel Harichi. Now, a lot of people online are confused by the crossover of Love Island and Wicked. One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, “Ngl this is a bit random,” while others wrote, “THEY INVITED LEAH? OMG,” and “Leah and Miguel getting invited is so iconic.” Last time I checked, Rob Rausch, the other breakout star from her season (you know, the snake guy), didn’t get that invite. So, what makes Leah so different?

Well, for starters, before Love Island USA, she was already rubbing elbows with celebrities.  She’s originally from Calabasas—yes, that Calabasas, home of the Kardashians. Growing up in such a wealthy area, she’s no stranger to Hollywood’s star power. So in a way, she was always destined for this kind of lifestyle. But apart from her affluent upbringing, Kateb is also just extremely likable. Usually, you don’t think “rich girl” and “down-to-earth,” but with Leah’s outspoken and sometimes—let’s be real—almost crass way of speaking, it’s a duality that fans really like. She even made an appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, where she instantly hit it off with Alex Cooper, showing she’s just as real outside the villa.

Sure, Leah’s a “Calabasas girl,” but she’s way more relatable than, say, the Kardashians. She’s also an avid animal lover, with an Instagram highlight dedicated to the pets she adores. And as a Swiftie, she’s mastered the art of connecting with fans, treating them like friends rather than annoying followers. And her fans aren’t just drawn to her glamorous life—they’re drawn to her, because she really does seem like someone you could easily be besties with.

So yes, Leah Kateb is built for all the clout she’s getting. Her wealth gives her the glamour factor, but her personality and sweet fan interactions keep us all coming back for more. I’ll keep saying this until I’ve ‘yee’d’ my last ‘haw,’ but if Leah Kateb has no fans, then I’ve tragically passed away. And a quick scroll through her social media shows I’m not the only one. The people love her!