Nic and Olandria Couldn’t Fake Their Love Island USA Chemistry

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In simpler terms, the fans of Love Island USA were thrilled when Nic Vansteenberghe and Olandria Carthen, affectionately known as “Nicolandria”, made it to the finals of season seven. Although Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales won the $100,000 prize, the fans found their favorite couple’s journey to be the most rewarding, validating their belief in Nic and Olandria‘s chemistry and potential romance.

This is an unusual love story, similar to that of ‘Love Island’, where a friendship turned into romance following a producer-directed recoupling that prevented their early elimination during Casa Amor. At first, Vansteenberghe and Carthen both claimed there was no spark between them, as they were still deeply attached to Cierra Ortega and Taylor Williams respectively. However, Williams’s recoupling with Clarke Carraway and Ortega’s sudden departure brought them back together. On the day after their first date outside the villa, Vansteenberghe tells Vulture, “They said the Nicolandria hive was delusional, but look at us now.

How would you describe your current emotional state, if I may ask?

[Nic Vansteenberghe]

In response to your question, I’d say that I’m experiencing a transformation, stepping into this villa as an ordinary person but emerging with a newfound recognition and identity.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m soaking it all up. Plunging into this fresh world has been quite an adventure, yet having him by my side throughout this journey has been simply fantastic.

To address your query directly: Our situation remains unchanged; we’re moving forward one day at a time, one hour at a time. Our immediate plan is to travel – I have been invited for dinner in Jacksonville and will visit my “second family” there. My partner intends to come to Decatur, Alabama, where my family resides. Once we’ve had the chance to connect with both sets of relatives, we’ll be better able to determine our next steps together.

I’d love to join the discussion, as it seems people have been debating about the Nicolandria fandom since the early stages of the season. What are your thoughts on this topic?

N.V.: They called the Nicolandria hive delusional, but look at us now.

It seems like you all never had any false expectations. I imagine it must have been quite thrilling to observe and discuss the events, eventually witnessing them unfold. The watch parties must have been particularly moving experiences for you. Given that you were rooting so hard for us, and we initially disappointed you, only to redeem ourselves later, it was a real emotional journey for you all as well. We went through a similar emotional ride too.

I hope this version helps!

How would you respond to those questioning the authenticity of your relationship, claiming it’s staged?
N.V.: When Lil Yachty expressed doubts about us at his show, I responded with “Let me chat with you, Yachty.” Honestly, such accusations don’t bother me much. Amaya recently confirmed our relationship on a podcast. Our family has also endorsed it. We are confirming it ourselves. It seems like there’s still more expected from us. Frankly, I don’t quite get it.

Absolutely. If you tune into the series, you’ll notice a gradual development of their relationship. It wasn’t an impromptu decision to pair up at the end without any prior signs of interest. From the very beginning, if you observe closely (perhaps it was more evident for Nic than for me), there were subtle hints suggesting something between us. We were consistently the best in challenges, and our chemistry in those situations was always exceptional. Such a strong bond can’t be fabricated.

Maintaining a consistent performance can be quite challenging, as it takes a lot of effort to keep it looking spontaneous and genuine.

N.V.: It’s quite unusual for men like us to express our feelings openly, especially outside of Love Island. But being on the show and sharing everything with many people was a unique challenge. However, I believe that the ability to communicate deeply about my feelings with Olandria has helped us grow closer. I trust her not to judge me, and this openness allows us to work through problems more effectively. Now, it’s effortless to be with her.

As a cinephile, I’ve always found it challenging to vocalize my feelings freely. In the villa, I’ve been known to hold back quite a bit, and this season was no exception – tears were scarce for me. I tend to keep my deepest thoughts close to heart. The constant need to discuss these emotions felt incredibly humanizing at times. There were instances when I felt more like a machine: “I’m just going to keep it bottled up.” It seemed impossible for me to openly display emotion. Forcing myself to talk things out has proven instrumental in my growth, not only in this relationship but also in deepening my friendships.

When reflecting on our past, it seems that the narrative of my life was significantly shaped by my connection with Taylor. In hindsight, I believe that my relationship with her may not have been fully understood. If she did not find me physically appealing or reciprocate the effort that I put in, I would not invest as much time and energy as I did. I am well aware of my self-worth.

It wasn’t communicated to me that Taylor felt unattracted towards me from the start. Instead, he would often praise me and go out of his way to help me, such as making breakfast, cooking for me, and giving me his jacket when I was cold. He also became quite touchy over time. All these gestures made me invest more in our relationship. If I had known from the beginning that he wasn’t attracted to me, we would have just remained friends. I wouldn’t have felt angry towards him for not finding me attractive. I understand that I won’t be attractive to everyone. Honesty from him would have been appreciated. Keep in mind that the show condenses 24 hours into one hour, so a lot of details are missed.

Nic, it seemed like you shifted focus to Olandria immediately after Cierra left. Can you share how you dealt with that emotionally?
N.V.: The show didn’t capture my emotions accurately. At the time, I was still processing my feelings for Cierra and it was challenging to move forward. However, I expressed my doubts to Olandria. Our relationship didn’t just happen suddenly; it progressed gradually. The baby challenge marked a milestone, followed by family day, our first on-screen date, an off-screen date last night, and finally our real-world first date. It’s been a steady, gradual journey that led us to where we are today as a couple.

Would you two still have developed the same connection if you’d met at different stages of your lives?
N.V.: I’ve got this goofy and serious side to me. If we had crossed paths four years ago, I wasn’t in a place where my mature self was present. Now, it seems like the right blend, so it feels like it couldn’t have happened at a more opportune moment.

Growing up, I was quite the wild one, particularly during my early years in elementary and middle school. I’d be bouncing off the walls, full of energy, acting as the class clown. However, it seems Olandria didn’t share my playful spirit in those days. If we had attended the same high school, would our paths have crossed?

O.C.: Mm-hmmm.

N.V.: She wouldn’t have liked me.

In my high school years, I excelled academically, often found in advanced placement (AP) and international baccalaureate (IB) classes, consistently ranking at the top of my class. Due to the responsibilities and opportunities I had, I was more cautious and reserved compared to others. I often thought to myself, “I yearn for rebellion, but cannot, as I hold scholarships and accolades.” Essentially, I embodied the epitome of a model student. Our personalities would not have meshed well.

N.V.: But I got good grades.

That’s positive, but if your actions weren’t friendly, it’s more like, ‘Ugh, what business do you have talking to me?’

N.V.: I was loud.

As a film enthusiast hailing from Alabama, a region deeply rooted in tradition, I can confidently admit that if I had encountered him during our high school years, I would have doubted his interest in me. Many of the guys at my school were not open to those who looked like me. This realization led me to take the bold step and join the show. It was a moment of saying, “I’m ready to embrace this new experience.” “Let me break free from my self-imposed limitations.

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2025-07-17 20:54