It’s rough being a Love Island USA fan getting updates on the islanders almost every night to getting less and less of them after the finale. Olandria Carthen and Nic Vansteenberghe became a sensation the summer of 2025. The friends loved sneaking kisses during challenges while coupled up with other people. Then the game changed when they were separated from Casa Amor, were dumped, and could return if they became a couple.
They placed second and continued their relationship after the season. Nic became a sensation on SnapChat through his interactions with fans. There, he gave them an intimate look into their relationship. Nic and Olandria also did TikTok live where fans could get their fix of flirtation between them. However, that stopped and seemingly the only time we see the couple is at red carpet events. We finally know the reason for the change.
Olandria Carthen and Nic Vansteenberghe Post Less for Love Island USA for Their Health
Glamour released an interview with the couple in time for the holiday season. They talked about navigating a huge lifestyle change from private citizen to public figures. “People started to nitpick,” Olandria explained. “They were doing that on the show, but we didn’t have our phones to see it—now that we’re actually having to live with it and hear about it, it’s like, ‘Oh, maybe we don’t need to share as much anymore.’ Because they’ll find the smallest little thing and it’s a big discourse all over social media.”
She was accused of being a “mean girl” on the show. The former elevator salesman told Elite Daily that she tried to “clear up that narrative” after leaving the villa. She was later criticized for telling The New York Times it was healing Black people to see her being “yearned for and loved out loud” by a “fair-skinned male.” Some felt like it’s 2025 and therefore this love shouldn’t be novel. However, that doesn’t recognize how Black women are typically treated in reality television.
Posting less had negative consequences for the couple. “I’m like, ‘Okay, maybe if we share less, that’s better,’” she told Glamour. “But even then, discourse starts because we don’t share enough. I’m like, I don’t know how to find a happy medium in this life now.” Nic acknowledged they would make more money using their relationship online, but they’re at peace with that trade. “So finding that balance of, ‘Okay, this is our work now, but it’s also our life,’ was kind of hard in the beginning,” but now I feel like we’ve got a better grip on it,” he claimed. “Missing out on some monetary value is so worth it for your mental health.”
Nic Wants to Do ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Next
The former islanders have modeled more after the show. But Nic isn’t opposed to returning to reality TV. He’s manifesting a spot on Dancing With the Stars. “I’m down for anything but a dating show,” he explained to Glamour. “I’m going to start training soon. I’m manifesting.”
The influencer is brave when it comes to the dance floor. He didn’t back down to Olandria for the Megan Thee Stallion twerk-off. If he competed on the dance floor, he’d follow in Ariana Madix’s footsteps. The Love Island USA host competed in season 32 with Pasha Pashov as her partner and placed third. That’s not the only reality show that’s a possibility for islanders. The upcoming season of The Traitors US will have Rob Rausch from seasons 5 and 6.
It’s hard to imagine Dancing With the Stars wouldn’t scoop up Nic if he’s available, but we have to wait and see. Olandria teased that she’s booked up to May of next year. Sadly, fans won’t get more personal posts in 2026. But they’re happy when they do see them and express that on Reddit.
“They look amazing. I loved the feature on their journey so far, especially when they talked about balancing their public and private life. I hope they are given more grace to figure out the right balance that works for them,” a commenter wrote.
“What a generational run for Bama Barbie and Big Belgian. Long may their success continue!” another supporter wrote.
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