Nic Vansteenberghe and Olandria Carthen, the fan-favorite couple from “Love Island USA,” are basking in the glow of their newfound romance after finishing as runners-up in the show’s recent finale. In an exclusive interview, the couple discussed the misconceptions surrounding their relationship, the overwhelming support from fans, and their future together.
Fresh from their experience in the Fiji villa, Nic, 24, and Olandria, 27, are thrilled about their budding romance, which has captured the hearts of viewers. “I feel like I’m dreaming with the amount of support from around the world. It feels great,” Olandria shared, while Nic added, “It is good to be in a room together with no one else around. It’s nice.”
After six weeks of filming, the couple returned to Los Angeles, where they excitedly caught up on fan edits that highlighted their journey throughout the season. “We are so obsessed with every single edit. We literally were just in bed looking through them on TikTok. Honestly, some of them kind of bring me to tears,” Olandria admitted. “It’s like, ‘Dang, I was really oblivious to this.’ Seeing it in this format — where we started from the very beginning of the show all the way to the end — it’s such a beautiful story to witness.”
Initially, Nic’s journey on the show saw him coupled up with Belle-A Walker before he shifted his focus to Cierra Ortega. Throughout this time, Olandria was considering a future with Taylor Williams. However, it wasn’t until a near-elimination that Nic and Olandria began to explore their connection. Their first kiss marked a turning point, but both admitted they were hesitant to fully embrace their feelings due to their existing connections with other contestants.
Reflecting on her initial reluctance to pursue Nic, Olandria explained, “I just thought I was doing a disservice to Cierra. I felt guilty in a sense, which is why immediately after the kiss I’m like, ‘I have to tell Cierra and I have to tell Taylor.’ I didn’t allow myself to feel a spark because I felt like I owed those two people so much.” Nic echoed her sentiments, stating that it “just took more time” for them to find their way back to each other.
The couple’s relationship was further complicated by Cierra’s exit from the villa, which Nic described as a pivotal moment. “It seemed like I was jumping from Cierra to Olandria, which is just not true. We were taking baby steps because we were both kind of having those strong connections,” he clarified.
Now that they are out of the villa, Nic and Olandria are taking their time to enjoy each other’s company and figure out their next steps. “It’s something that we haven’t labeled yet. We’re going at the comfortable pace that we want to go at. When we look at the grand scheme of things, we’re just taking our time and investing in the real world,” Nic explained. They plan to make the most of their time together, with a visit to Disneyland on the horizon.
As they navigate their new relationship, the couple is grateful for the support they’ve received from fans. “Nic is definitely feeding our supporters [with content]. They love him. He’s consistent,” Olandria joked. “I need to learn from him.”
In the wake of their reality TV experience, Nic and Olandria are focused on building a relationship outside the spotlight, cherishing the moments they share and the connections they’ve made. With their hearts set on enjoying life together, this dynamic duo is sure to keep fans engaged as they continue their journey beyond the villa.