The final bonfire of Temptation Island Season 9 felt like a fever dream. We watched Tyler Breshears look his long-term girlfriend, Tayler Byrd, in the eye and choose to walk away. But he didn't walk away alone. He chose Kay Carlson.
It was one of those "drop the remote" moments. Tyler and Kay had this easy, breezy connection that stood in stark contrast to the heavy, "bitch tendencies" drama he had with Tayler. They looked like they were ready to ride off into the Hawaiian sunset.
But as we’ve learned from years of reality TV, the sunset usually fades into a pretty cold morning.
Are Tyler and Kay still together?
The short answer? No. Honestly, they aren't even close to being a thing.
If you were rooting for them, I've got some bad news. Tyler and Kay basically ended their romantic journey before they even reached the airport. Despite that big "I want to leave with Kay" moment at the bonfire, the reality of their situation hit them almost immediately.
The bubble burst. Fast.
The "OnlyFans" dealbreaker
One of the most shocking details to come out after the show involved a specific conversation on their final date. Tyler has been vocal on podcasts like The Viall Files about why things soured. According to him, Kay shared more about her career during their last night together—specifically that she was an OnlyFans model.
Tyler admitted he’s a jealous guy. For him, that was a total dealbreaker.
You might wonder why he still chose to leave with her at the bonfire then. It sounds like he didn't want to "flip the script" in front of the cameras based on a private conversation that viewers hadn't seen yet. He basically played the part for the finale, even though his mind was already made up.
"Our lives didn't align"
Kay has her own side of the story, of course. She told Netflix’s Tudum that they realized their lives just didn't align. She actually suggested that Tyler spend some time being single.
Think about it: Tyler went from a six-year marriage straight into a two-year relationship with Tayler. He hadn't been truly single his entire adult life. Kay saw the writing on the wall. She felt they were better off as friends, and honestly, she wasn't wrong.
Where are Tyler and Kay now?
It is 2026, and both have moved on to completely different chapters.
Tyler didn't take Kay's advice about being single for very long. Shortly after returning home, he met a woman named Lauren through a mutual friend. They’ve been together for quite a while now. If you check social media, Tyler is frequently featured on Lauren's fitness app and podcast. They seem settled, which is a massive change from the chaos we saw on screen.
Kay, meanwhile, has been living her best life. She’s active on TikTok and Instagram, leaning into her influencer career. There was a bit of drama a while back when she posted some cryptic videos about an "apartment he’s never been in," which fans assumed was a dig at Tyler. She eventually cleared the air, saying people shouldn't take her videos so seriously.
- Tyler’s Status: In a serious relationship with Lauren (a fitness influencer).
- Kay’s Status: Single and focused on her brand and modeling.
- The Ex (Tayler): She and Tyler are strictly "ignore each other at Costco" status.
Why the "Island Fever" lied to us
We see it every season. The "Island Fever" Tyler mentioned is a real thing. When you’re in a tropical villa with no phone, no job, and someone who thinks you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread, it’s easy to confuse chemistry with compatibility.
Kay was Tyler's "easy" button. She didn't have the years of baggage and resentment that Tayler had. But once the cameras stopped rolling and they had to talk about real-life jobs, jealousy, and daily routines, the spark fizzled.
What we can learn from the Tyler and Kay split
The biggest takeaway here is that "leaving together" on a reality show is often just a symbolic break from the past, not a foundation for the future. Tyler used Kay as his exit ramp from a relationship that was already dead.
If you’re looking for a success story from Season 9, you’ll have to look elsewhere—like Alexa and Lino, who actually made it to the altar. Tyler and Kay were a classic "right place, wrong time" (and maybe wrong person) situation.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to see what Tyler is up to today, you can find him frequently appearing on Lauren's fitness platforms. For Kay, her TikTok remains the best place for her current "main character" energy. If you're still holding out hope for a reunion, it's time to let that one go. They've both closed that book and started entirely new series.