You know those reality TV stars who just seem to vanish into the background after a week, yet somehow stay stuck in your head? That's basically the vibe with Coye Simmons. If you watched Love Island USA Season 6 (arguably the wildest season yet, thanks to Ariana Madix taking the wheel), you probably remember the massive 6'8" guy from North Carolina who looked like he was built in a lab to win the whole show.
But then, he didn't. He was gone faster than a sunset in Fiji.
Honestly, the "Coye Simmons Love Island" experience was a bit of a rollercoaster for fans. He walked into that villa with all the tools. He’s a former pro basketball player, a School District Unit Director, and the son of 90s rap legend Shocky Shay. On paper? Total catch. In practice? Things got weirdly quiet, and then they got awkward.
What Actually Happened with Coye and JaNa?
The biggest question most people have is why his connection with JaNa Craig fizzled out so fast. They were the Day 1 couple. They looked amazing together. But the villa is a pressure cooker, and Coye's "cool, calm, and collected" energy quickly started to look like "I’m just not that into it" to the viewers—and to JaNa.
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JaNa is a high-energy, high-effort kind of person. She wanted deep conversations and someone who would pull her for chats. Coye? He sort of just sat there. He later admitted in interviews, like the one with Collider, that he felt a bit overwhelmed. It’s hard to blame him. You’re dropped into a house with cameras everywhere, and suddenly you're expected to unpack your childhood trauma on Day 2. He wasn't ready for that.
The "body count" comment during the deal-breaker challenge was the final nail in the coffin. When he mentioned his number was over 150, the villa—and the internet—lost its collective mind. It made him look like a player, even if he was just being honest about his time playing ball in Germany.
The Stats You Probably Didn't Know
If you're wondering about the man behind the height, here’s the quick breakdown of who Coye really is:
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- Height: 6'8" (He wears a size 17 shoe, which means everything he wears is custom-made).
- Hometown: Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
- Career: Before working for the school district, he played for Georgia Southern and then professionally in Germany.
- Family: His mom is Shocky Shay, a prominent female rapper from the 90s.
Why Coye Simmons Was Eliminated So Early
Coye was the very first person dumped from Season 6. It felt like a shock because he had so much potential, but looking back, it makes sense. In the world of Love Island, silence is a death sentence. While guys like Rob and Kordell were making big, dramatic moves (and mistakes), Coye was playing it safe.
By Day 4, when the first recoupling happened, JaNa had enough. She felt like she was carrying the entire relationship on her back. When she chose to couple up with Connor Newsum instead, Coye was left standing alone. Since no other girl stepped up to save him, he was sent packing.
He’s since said he regrets not "backdooring the bros" and talking to other girls like Serena or Hannah. He was trying to be a "guy's guy" and respect the other couples, but on Love Island, that just gets you a plane ticket home.
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The Post-Villa Reality
Since leaving the show, Coye has been pretty vocal about how he was edited. He’s mentioned that he’s actually got a great sense of humor and a business degree, but the show only focused on his height. It's a classic reality TV trap: they find one trait and make it your entire personality.
He also cleared up the "fake relationship" drama during the Season 6 reunion. There were some rumors flying around that he called JaNa and Kenny's relationship fake, but he eventually apologized and smoothed things over. Most of the Season 6 cast seems to be on decent terms now, which is a miracle considering how much crying happened in that villa.
Actionable Takeaways for the Love Island Obsessed
If you're still following Coye's journey or just want to keep up with the Season 6 drama, here is what you should do next:
- Check his Instagram: He’s quite active at @coyesimmons_. If you’re into fitness or want to see how a 6'8" man actually finds clothes that fit, his stories are worth a look.
- Watch the Reunion: If you skipped it, go back to Peacock and watch the Season 6 reunion. It gives a lot of context to his exit and his current relationship with the rest of the "PPG" (Powerpuff Girls) and their men.
- Listen to his Interviews: Search for his appearance on the Positively podcast. He goes deep into the "body count" drama and explains his side of the story without the heavy-handed editing of a TV producer.
Coye Simmons might have been a "short-term" Islander, but he’s a prime example of how hard it is to balance being a "real person" with being a "reality TV star." He stayed true to his low-key nature, and while it didn't get him the $100,000, it probably kept his sanity intact.