Olandria from Love Island USA Criticizes Public Fascination with Nic’s Romance
Love Island USA‘s Olandria Carthen opened up about her frustration regarding the public scrutiny of her relationship with Nic Vansteenberghe.
“Why is this of your concern? Are your bills getting settled? Feeling lonely? Go find a partner — focus on your own life,” Olandria, 28, remarked in an interview with Cosmopolitan on Thursday, June 18. “What difference does it make if Nic and I are an item?”
She reflected on a moment when she shared a post featuring Nic, 25, on social media, saying, “Some comments were like, ‘I just needed to see them together this week.’ Why are you so invested in people you don’t know?”
Olandria expressed, “That part feels a bit creepy to me, as I’ve never been that absorbed in someone else’s romance, and I’m not living for social media. I don’t always follow what others expect of me.”
Olandria stood by the way she and Nic have managed their relationship under public attention.
“We don’t capitalize on our relationship or put it on display. If you truly value spending quality time with someone, it shouldn’t involve a camera every second,” she noted. “We cherish our time together and do what any normal couple does: go out, enjoy life, and get to know each other.”
Fans of Love Island USA became invested in Olandria and Nic’s connection during their season 7 stint. Following their time in the villa, they chose not to document their personal lives for public consumption.
“We go out to dinner and catch movies in theaters. We spend time at his home in Florida. We even took a ride on his dad’s bike,” she shared with the publication. “He used his drone to capture a moment of us on the motorcycle. It was adorable.”
However, their choice has led some to question the authenticity of their relationship.
“It’s crucial for our mental well-being. People met you on a show, so they expect constant access,” Olandria explained. “While you might want to share normally, you notice people dissecting every detail, which can be overwhelming. For Nic and me, when you truly value something, it’s essential to keep it private and close.”
She further elaborated, “In my younger days, I couldn’t understand why celebrities kept their love lives under wraps; now I do. If you share too much, they assume it’s all for show. If you share nothing, they speculate about your status. It’s a lose-lose situation.”
Olandria hinted at a significant milestone, mentioning, “He told me he’s loved twice before and that the third time could be the charm.”
They received a text — and discovered love in the Love Island USA villa. The popular British dating show made its way to the U.S. in 2019, featuring a group of American singles searching for true love in a luxurious tropical setting. Season 1 saw eventual winners Elizabeth Weber and Zac Mirabelli forge a strong connection […]
Nic recently shared his thoughts with Us Weekly regarding the intense focus on his romantic life.
“At this point, the scrutiny feels excessive,” he commented in May. “I’ve said my piece. It’s about moving forward and not dwelling on it any longer.”
Nic emphasized the importance of shielding their relationship from external opinions.
“It’s a matter of intuition. I’m clear on my boundaries regarding how much to share,” he described when discussing his social media presence. “Recently, not exposing too much about my private life has been refreshing for both of us.”
Nic also noted that “blocking people” and establishing online boundaries have helped, while still finding joy in sharing subtle hints about significant moments in his relationship with Olandria.
“We might be hanging out, and I’ll snap a photo with her hand in the frame. So, people notice, which is amusing,” he joked.
