While everyone else was breaking up or getting into some mess, Nic Vansteenberghe quietly became the most unforgettable face of Love Island USA Season 7. At just 26, his outgoing charm, gutsy decisions, and raw honesty got people talking and eventually landed him and his partner Olandria Carthen the runner-up spot in this season’s finale.
The latest summer season, filmed in sunny Fiji and streamed on Peacock, came to an end on July 21 and pulled in more viewers than ever before. But honestly, it was Nic’s emotional journey that made people come back every week
The Guy Who “Enjoys Putting Himself Out There”
The minute he walked in on day one, Nic’s energy lit up the room; you just knew he was different. He wasn’t just some handsome guy throwing out cheesy lines. As someone online put it, he was “funny, fearless, and refreshingly real.”
One viewer said it best: “Nic’s got personality. Plain and simple. He’s not shy about being silly or showing feelings. You don’t forget someone like him when the show wraps up.”
People on the internet started comparing them to the other guys, and well, it usually didn’t end well for them. “Oh, he’s way more fun, outgoing, and full of life than Rob. Honestly, it’s not even a competition,” said one fan, and it seems like a lot of folks online feel the same.
Cierra’s Exit: A Turning Point for Nic
The first person Nic got to know on the island was Cierra Ortega. Their relationship felt steady, until her past tweets with racist language showed up again and the producers decided to remove her from the show. The controversy rubbed many the wrong way, and a petition started making rounds with over 17,000 signatures.
After she left, Nic sat in silence for a while. He admitted he felt lost and seriously thought about leaving the villa. He looked away for a moment, then quietly admitted, “I just didn’t want to stay anymore.” Viewers felt something different in him; they’d seen enough of people wearing masks and finally saw someone being real.
Finding Olandria: A Connection That Felt Real
It didn’t take Nic long after Cierra moved on to start spending time with Olandria Carthen. In the early days, not everyone believed in their connection, yet what they built was real and grew faster than anyone expected.
They didn’t care about putting on a show for the cameras. What made it special were their inside jokes, shared beliefs, and the kind of chemistry that doesn’t need to be forced. Even when they got to the very end, they still hadn’t given their relationship a name. “We’re going through each day as it comes,” Olandria said with a smile. Nic quietly added, “We’re learning together, even when the cameras stop rolling.”
Even though they never said they were together, people just knew. By the final week, everyone was using #Nicolandria. People couldn’t stop saying how real and effortless their bond looked
The Bigger Picture: Drama, Diversity, and Cyberbullying
Nic’s story brought moments of laughter and a few tears too, but the season? That was a full-blown emotional ride. Two of the cast members, one of them being Cierra, had to leave the show after making racist remarks. Suddenly, everyone started chatting about whether reality TV was being fair and responsible when it came to showing different kinds of people.
Many viewers weren’t happy with how the show dealt with cyberbullying because some Islanders were said to have faced a lot of online hate. The last episode, despite everything, got a huge number of viewers. With over a billion minutes watched on Peacock, this season wasn’t just popular; it was historic. Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales became the first Latino couple to win the franchise. For quite a few fans, Nic’s journey stayed with them just as much.
Why Nic Mattered This Season?
I started watching Season 7 of Love Island USA right from episode one, and before long, I found myself cheering for Nic. He had his flaws, sure, but that just made him more real. He tripped over his own heartbreak but still found the courage to make daring moves in love.
Even with everything going on, he never shut down emotionally. He stayed true to who he was, without saying sorry for it. You don’t come across that often, especially with reality shows where so much feels staged. While others tiptoed, Nic walked straight. Honest. Raw. Real.
Summary
The prize money slipped through his fingers, but Nic ended up with something far more lasting: the love of a massive crowd. With his light jokes, honest words, and a touch of raw emotion, he brought some much-needed balance to a drama-packed season.
Despite all the noise and drama around him, Nic managed to stay grounded. He even found love with Olandria along the way, showing us all that being real still counts on reality TV. The show’s moving forward, and if there’s one thing, we’ve all figured out, it’s this: no cast feels complete without a Nic.
