Former "Love Island USA" contestants Olandria Carthen and Nic Vansteenberghe announced their breakup on July 22, 2026 [2].
The split marks the end of one of the few enduring couples from the show's seventh season, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining reality-TV romances after filming ends.
The pair had been dating for approximately one year [1]. They originally met on the set of the series in Fiji, where they formed a connection during the competition.
An unnamed source told Access Hollywood that the couple struggled to stay connected due to external pressures. "The distance between them and their busy schedules made it challenging to maintain their connection," the source said.
Despite the breakup, the source indicated that the relationship ended on amicable terms. The source said they still remain close friends and share a deep love and respect for each other, adding that they will support one another whenever possible.
The announcement was reported by several U.S.-based entertainment outlets on Wednesday. Neither Carthen nor Vansteenberghe has issued a separate personal statement regarding the split beyond the reports provided by their representatives and sources.
“The distance between them and their busy schedules made it challenging to maintain their connection.”
The breakup of Carthen and Vansteenberghe reflects a common trend among reality dating show participants, where the artificial environment of a controlled set in Fiji contrasts sharply with the logistical realities of long-distance relationships and professional obligations in the U.S.
