If you watched Love Island USA Season 7, you already know the name Olandria. She walked into that villa on Day 1 with grace, confidence, and a Southern charm that people couldn’t ignore. But olandria love island is more than just a reality TV story. It’s a story about a young Black woman from Alabama who showed the world what real class looks like — on screen and off.
Who Is Olandria Carthen? A Quick Introduction
Olandria Lashae Carthen was born on May 29, 1998, in Decatur, Alabama. She goes by the nickname “Bama Barbie,” and honestly, it fits her perfectly. She’s sharp, stylish, and totally grounded. Before Love Island ever came calling, she was living a pretty normal life — working a real job, focused on her career, and not chasing fame.
What makes her stand out? She’s not your typical reality TV contestant. She came in with a degree, a career, and a clear sense of who she is. That quiet confidence is exactly what drew millions of fans to her story.
She is the eldest sibling of two younger sisters and three younger brothers. Growing up as the oldest, she likely learned responsibility early. And that shows in how she carried herself throughout the entire season.
Her Education: A First-Gen Graduate and HBCU Proud
One thing that makes olandria love island so inspiring is her academic background. She attended Tuskegee University, initially deciding to major in computer science but ultimately graduating with a bachelor’s degree in logistics, materials and supply chain management.
She’s a first-generation college graduate. That means no one in her family had done it before her. She paved her own way. Tuskegee University is a historically Black college (HBCU) with deep roots and a powerful legacy, and Olandria carried that pride into the villa with her.
This isn’t something you see every day on reality TV. Most contestants talk about their social media following. Olandria talked about her degree, her school, and the importance of education. That resonated with a lot of viewers, especially young Black women who saw themselves in her.
Her Career Before Love Island USA
Olandria Carthen is 27 years old and works in the elevator and escalator industry. She is a sales associate at Otis Elevator Co., where she supports modernization projects for elevators and other urban transport systems.
Yes, you read that right. Before becoming a reality TV star, she was selling elevators. And she was good at it. Her job required strong communication skills, the ability to build relationships, and confidence. All things she proved she had in abundance on Love Island.
She worked as a salesperson in the elevator industry post-graduation. It’s a corporate, professional world — and she thrived in it. This gives you a sense of who she really is outside the villa.
Olandria Love Island USA Season 7: Her Journey Begins
Olandria was one of the first two women to enter the Love Island USA season 7 villa, and she quickly paired up in a fan-favorite couple. Entering on Day 1 alongside Chelley Bissainthe, she got to pick her partner first and set the tone for her entire run on the show.
She entered the villa on June 3, 2025, and viewers immediately took notice. There was something calm and genuine about her. She wasn’t playing games, wasn’t being dramatic for the cameras. She was just… real.
Her First Couple: Taylor Williams
She and Taylor Williams, a 24-year-old cowboy and model from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, coupled up on the first night and stayed together for the next 11 days. Taylor was charming and polite — exactly the type of guy Olandria said she was looking for. Old-fashioned manners, opens doors, the whole package.
Their relationship was sweet but maybe a little too stable for reality TV. Fans liked them, but they wanted more sparks.
The Jalen Brown Situation
The pair’s first big test came when Jalen Brown, a polite truck driver from Sparta, Georgia, entered the villa as a bombshell on day 9. Jalen had his eyes on Olandria from the moment he arrived.
Viewers actually voted for Olandria to couple up with Jalen — and she did. But even during that time, she kept coming back to Taylor. Two days after she was paired with Jalen, Olandria chose to recouple with Taylor, and Jalen was dumped from the villa.
She stayed true to her feelings, and fans respected that. She wasn’t going to be swayed just because the crowd wanted drama.
Casa Amor and the Surprise Twist
This is where things got really interesting. On June 23, Olandria and the female Islanders left the villa for Casa Amor, Love Island’s ultimate test of loyalty.
Casa Amor is basically the biggest challenge in the whole show. The girls go to a new house, meet new guys, and the original guys stay back and meet new girls. It’s designed to test every relationship.
The Elimination That Shocked Fans
Olandria didn’t come back with a new guy. She stayed loyal. But here’s the twist — Taylor didn’t. That decision left Olandria single and eliminated. Fans were devastated.
The final moments showed Nic exiting the villa with his suitcase, and then Olandria pulling up in a black SUV and calling for Nic to jump in the car with her. This moment was completely unexpected. The producers clearly had more plans for her.
Enter “Nicolandria”
This is how one of the sweetest couples of the season was born. Nic Vansteenberghe had also been left single after Casa Amor. The two found each other at just the right time.
Fans immediately shipped “Nicolandria” and rooted hard for them to make it to the finale. Their connection felt real — two people who had both been hurt, finding something genuine with each other.
Making It to the Finale: Runner-Up With Nic
Olandria entered the villa on Day 1. On Day 32 she placed as a runner-up alongside Nic Vansteenberghe.
Runner-up. Not winner — but honestly, it didn’t matter. By the time the finale aired, Olandria had already won the hearts of millions. The audience didn’t just like her, they loved her.
Her journey from Day 1 original to runner-up — with a Casa Amor twist in the middle — made for one of the most compelling arcs of the entire season.
Representation Matters: Olandria as a Dark-Skinned Black Woman
This part of the olandria love island story is important and can’t be skipped. Olandria received media attention during the season for discussions of representation, particularly as a dark-skinned Black woman.
Reality TV has a long history of not treating dark-skinned Black women fairly. They’re often edited out of the best moments, put in difficult storylines, or simply overlooked. Olandria’s visibility on Love Island USA Season 7 meant a lot to a huge community of viewers.
As one of only two Black women in the original cast, audiences — especially Black women — were immediately drawn to her grace, warmth, and effortless Southern charm.
She carried herself with dignity the entire time. She never clapped back unnecessarily. She never lost her cool. She just was herself — and that was more than enough.
Her Brand Partnerships and Career After Love Island
After the season wrapped, olandria love island became a career launchpad unlike anything most contestants experience. Following her appearance on Love Island USA, Olandria signed with Digital Brand Architects and later obtained broader representation through United Talent Agency.
The brand deals came fast. Here’s a look at some of the major partnerships she landed:
| Brand | Type of Partnership |
|---|---|
| NYX Cosmetics | Beauty campaign with Nic |
| Aveeno | Skincare partnership |
| Vaseline | Brand ambassador |
| Yves Saint Laurent | Fashion campaign |
| Sephora | Beauty collaboration |
| Amazon | Major brand deal |
| Visa | Financial brand campaign |
| Hyundai | Automotive campaign |
| Microsoft Copilot | Education-focused partnership |
| UGG | 2025 “Fluff Momma” global campaign |
| Reebok | Angel Reese 1 campaign |
| Barbie | “You Can Be Any Barbie” campaign at Coachella |
That’s not a small list. That’s a major brand portfolio. And she built it in just months after leaving the villa.
Ad Age named her one of the top five breakout creators of 2025. That’s a huge deal. Ad Age is one of the most respected publications in the marketing world. Being recognized there means you’ve made a real impact.
Fashion and Magazine Covers: A New Kind of Star
Olandria didn’t just do Instagram posts and sponsored content. She went deep into fashion in a real way.
She made her Paris Haute Couture Week debut in January 2026 and her Milan Fashion Week debut in February 2026, attending the Fall/Winter 2026/2027 fashion shows by Roberto Cavalli, Blumarine, and GCDS.
That means she hit three of the “Big Four” fashion weeks — Paris, Milan, and New York — within months of finishing a reality TV show. That’s remarkable.
Magazine Features
- In October 2025, she was included in Cosmopolitan’s Z-Stars Class of 2025.
- She appeared on the cover of the EBONY 2025 Power Issue alongside other honorees.
- She appeared on the December 2025 digital cover of Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam, marking her first solo magazine cover.
- She made her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut in the magazine’s 2026 issue.
- She was featured by W Magazine during Paris Haute Couture Week.
This is the kind of press coverage that takes most models years to build.
Speaking Engagements: More Than Just a TV Star
Here’s what really sets olandria love island apart from most reality TV stars. She didn’t just chase brand deals. She used her platform to actually say something.
Olandria has highlighted higher education and career development at multiple speaking engagements. A first-generation college graduate from Tuskegee University, she partnered with Microsoft Copilot to spotlight the history of her alma mater and the overall importance of HBCUs.
She spoke at major events and institutions, including:
- Her Conference “Butterfly Tour” at Texas A&M University about higher education
- ZCON in Los Angeles about career longevity
- Harvard Business School about leadership, authenticity, and professional spaces
She received the Women in Business Power and Purpose Award at the Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business Annual Gala.
She also won the EBONY People’s Choice Award at the 2025 EBONY Power 100 Gala. And was named to The Root 100 and included in the Revolt Power List in the Creators category.
This is why, as our blog and many others have noted, Olandria represents a new kind of public figure — one who uses fame purposefully.
Key Takeaways
Here’s a quick summary of everything that makes olandria love island such a compelling story:
- She entered Day 1 as one of the first two women in the Season 7 villa
- She’s a first-gen HBCU graduate from Tuskegee University
- She worked in corporate sales before joining the show
- She was eliminated at Casa Amor but came back in a surprise twist
- She finished as runner-up alongside Nic Vansteenberghe (“Nicolandria”)
- She became a representation icon for dark-skinned Black women on TV
- She signed with United Talent Agency after the show
- She landed 12+ major brand deals including Barbie, Sephora, and YSL
- She attended Paris and Milan Fashion Weeks
- She spoke at Harvard Business School
- She won multiple awards including EBONY People’s Choice
Quick Facts Table
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Olandria Lashae Carthen |
| Birthday | May 29, 1998 |
| Hometown | Decatur, Alabama |
| Nickname | Bama Barbie |
| Education | Tuskegee University (Supply Chain Management) |
| Pre-show Job | Sales Associate, Otis Elevator Co. |
| Season | Love Island USA Season 7 (2025) |
| Partner | Nic Vansteenberghe |
| Finale Placement | Runner-Up |
| @x__0lan (2.3M+ followers) |
What Makes Her Different From Other Love Island Stars
Most people who come out of Love Island do the same things. They post sponsored content, do brand deals, maybe release a podcast. There’s nothing wrong with that. But Olandria took a completely different road.
Rather than rushing into content creation or daily influencer routines, she took her time, choosing intention over impulse.
She thought about what kind of person she wanted to be after the show, not just what kind of content she wanted to create. That mindset change is why her post-show career looks so different.
She wanted to talk about education, HBCUs, fashion, and professional development. She wanted to be in rooms where decisions get made — not just in comment sections.
And she succeeded. Big time.
Conclusion: Why Olandria Love Island Is Still a Story Worth Telling
The olandria love island story isn’t just about a reality TV show. It’s about a woman who knew her worth, stayed true to herself under pressure, and came out the other side with something real.
She didn’t win the show. She won something bigger. She won a platform, a voice, and the respect of people far beyond the Love Island fanbase.
From Decatur, Alabama to Harvard Business School. From Tuskegee supply chain classes to Paris Haute Couture Week. From the Otis Elevator office to the Barbie campaign at Coachella.
That’s a story. And it’s only just getting started.
If you want to keep up with news, entertainment and inspiring stories like this, check out The Daily Focus for more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is Olandria from Love Island?
Olandria Lashae Carthen is a 27-year-old model, influencer, and reality TV star from Decatur, Alabama. She appeared on Love Island USA Season 7 in 2025 and finished as a runner-up alongside Nic Vansteenberghe. She is also known as the “Bama Barbie.”
Did Olandria win Love Island USA Season 7?
No, she did not win. She finished as a runner-up alongside her partner Nic Vansteenberghe. The couple’s ship name “Nicolandria” became hugely popular with fans.
What did Olandria do before Love Island?
She was a sales associate at Otis Elevator Co. in Houston, Texas. She’s also a first-generation college graduate who studied supply chain management at Tuskegee University, an HBCU.
What happened to Olandria at Casa Amor?
She was eliminated during Casa Amor after staying loyal but being left single. However, in a surprise twist, she returned in a car and picked up Nic Vansteenberghe, forming the fan-favorite couple “Nicolandria.”
What brands has Olandria worked with after Love Island?
She has worked with NYX Cosmetics, Aveeno, Vaseline, Yves Saint Laurent, Sephora, Amazon, Visa, Hyundai, Microsoft, UGG, Reebok, and Barbie, among others.
Has Olandria attended fashion week?
Yes. She made her Paris Haute Couture Week debut in January 2026 and her Milan Fashion Week debut in February 2026. She has attended shows at Roberto Cavalli, Blumarine, GCDS, and Rahul Mishra.
What awards has Olandria won?
She won the EBONY People’s Choice Award at the 2025 EBONY Power 100 Gala and the Women in Business Power and Purpose Award at the Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business Annual Gala. She was also named to The Root 100.
Is Olandria still with Nic after Love Island?
Based on their joint campaigns and magazine features — including a Glamour cover in December 2025 — they were still together after the show. They modeled for multiple brands together as a couple.
