It is early 2026, and somehow, the internet is still obsessed with them. You know the ones. One is a self-proclaimed "toxic" Los Angeles girl with a penchant for honesty that borders on self-sabotage. The other is a smooth-talking British model who entered a villa and basically told everyone he was there to cause trouble. When Leah Kateb and Miguel Harichi first locked eyes on Love Island USA Season 6, half the audience thought they’d last about four days. The other half was just busy making "Mileah" fan edits to Lana Del Rey songs.
Honestly? Most reality TV couples have the shelf life of an open avocado. They do the brand deals, they attend the reunion, and by the time the next season’s casting call goes out, they’ve unfollowed each other and deleted the grid posts. But Leah and Miguel? They’re currently living together in L.A., surviving the "Beyond the Villa" spinoff, and proving that sometimes the messiest beginnings lead to the most stable endings.
The Long Distance Myth vs. The L.A. Reality
People love to talk about the "curse" of the transatlantic relationship. When the season ended in July 2024, the skeptics were out in full force. Miguel was based in London. Leah was a permanent fixture of the L.A. scene. Long distance is a killer, especially when you’re suddenly famous and every "clout demon" in the city is sliding into your DMs.
But Miguel didn't just stay in London. He didn't do the "we’re just seeing where it goes" dance for two years. By early 2025, he had officially packed his bags. He moved into Leah’s apartment. He went from a Londoner who "didn't really like L.A." to a guy who complains about wanting to go back the second they leave the city limits.
It’s kinda wild to think about.
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During the iHeartRadio Music Festival in late 2025, Leah was still gushing about him. She called him her "soulmate" and her "best friend." You’ve seen the TikToks. They aren't just performing for the cameras; they’re living a very real, very domestic life that includes a growing menagerie of animals. Just this past Christmas, Miguel bought Leah a hairless Sphynx cat. If that isn't the ultimate "I know my girlfriend’s specific brand of weird" gift, I don't know what is.
Why the "Rob Drama" Actually Saved Them
You can't talk about Leah Kateb and Miguel Harichi without mentioning the elephant in the villa: Rob Rausch. For the first half of the season, Leah was spiraling. The Andrea situation, the "backseat" comment, the constant back-and-forth—it was a lot. Most viewers thought Leah would never move on.
But here is the nuance: Miguel wasn't a rebound. He was a stabilizer.
When Miguel walked in as a bombshell, he didn't try to "fix" Leah. He didn't judge her for being "fiery" or for her intense reactions. In fact, he famously told Collider that he was proud of her for always speaking her truth. He saw the growth that happened when she stopped looking for validation from someone who didn't get her and started being with someone who matched her energy.
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The Evolution of PPG and the Inner Circle
Leah’s life isn't just about Miguel, though. The "PPG" (Powerpuff Girls) bond with Serena Page and JaNa Craig is the backbone of her brand. While the trio is still "locked in for life," the dynamics have shifted as they’ve moved into 2026.
- Serena and Kordell: Still the reigning king and queen, busy with high-fashion campaigns.
- JaNa’s Solo Era: After a very messy, public split from Kenny Rodriguez in mid-2025, the girls rallied around her.
- The Spinoff Factor: Filming Love Island: Beyond the Villa tested all of them. It wasn't just sun and bikinis; it was real-world stress with cameras following their every move.
Leah and Miguel managed to navigate the JaNa/Kenny fallout without letting it poison their own well. When Kenny was labeled a "clout demon" by the fanbase, Leah and Miguel stood firmly by JaNa, but they also kept their own relationship grounded.
Is an Engagement Actually Coming?
Miguel has been pretty vocal about his intentions. In interviews throughout late 2025, he’s dropped the "W" word more than once. No, they aren't married yet. No, there isn't a massive rock on her finger just yet. But Miguel told Access Hollywood that he feels "incomplete" when they’re apart.
He’s even met the family. A trip to London saw Leah bonding with Miguel’s dad, who is apparently the biggest "Mileah" stan on the planet. He’s constantly reposting fan edits on social media.
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They’ve found a balance between being "publicly private." They share the funny stuff—the vlogs of them trying British snacks or Miguel’s reaction to Leah’s "Final Girl" horror movie dreams—but they keep the heavy stuff behind closed doors. That’s usually the secret sauce for reality couples who actually make it.
What This Means for Your Feed
If you’re following Leah Kateb and Miguel Harichi for the drama, you might be disappointed. They’ve moved past the "who unfollowed who" stage. They’re in the "who’s feeding the cat" stage.
For the fans, the next big milestone is the summer of 2026. With Love Island USA Season 8 on the horizon, there’s heavy speculation about which "Legacy Couples" will make appearances. Given their track record with Peacock and the success of their spinoff, don't be surprised to see them back on your screen in a mentor capacity.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Vlogs: If you want the real Leah and Miguel, skip the edited TV show and go to their YouTube/Snapchat. That's where the actual personality shines through.
- Support the Humane Society: Leah is heavily involved in animal rescues. If you want to "stan" her properly, look into the "Clear the Shelters" campaigns she supports.
- Don't Believe Every Rumor: Remember the Louis Russell beef in August 2025? It was blown way out of proportion. Most "unfollows" are just temporary glitches or minor tiffs, not the end of an era.
The takeaway here is simple. Leah and Miguel didn't win the $100,000, but in the long game of "not being single and miserable," they’ve clearly come out on top. They’ve turned a summer fling into a 2026 domestic partnership, and honestly? We love that for them.