Starting Point
Olandria Love Island walked into the Love Island USA villa on Day 1 with a blue dress, a Southern accent, and a confidence that immediately caught everyone’s attention. Olandria called herself the Bama Barbie. She came from Decatur, Alabama. And by the time Olandria Carthen left that villa as runner-up, she had become one of the most talked-about personalities in the history of the show.
Fans everywhere want to know the same things. How old is Olandria from Love Island? Where did she grow up? What does she do for work? How did she and Nic end up together? And what has she been doing since the show ended?
This article answers all of those questions. We cover Olandria Love Island age, her background, her career, her journey through Love Island USA Season 7, her relationship with Nicolas Vansteenberghe, and her incredible rise since the show. Whether you just discovered her or have followed her from Day 1, this is the complete guide to Olandria Carthen.
Olandria Love Island Age: How Old Is She?
The most searched question about Olandria is simple. How old is she?
Olandria Carthen was born on May 29, 1998. She is 27 years old as of 2025. Her star sign is Gemini. She joined Love Island USA Season 7 on her birthday — May 29, 2025 — which made her debut even more memorable. Starting a new chapter of her life on her 27th birthday is the kind of detail that feels too perfect to be scripted.
At 27, Olandria was one of the oldest contestants in the villa. Most Love Island USA cast members are in their early to mid-twenties. However, that age difference worked in her favor. She brought more maturity, more life experience, and a clearer sense of who she was and what she wanted. That depth came through on screen, and fans loved her for it.
Olandria Carthen Personal Attributes
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Olandria Lashae Carthen |
| Date of Birth | May 29, 1998 |
| Age (2025) | 27 years old |
| Star Sign | Gemini |
| Birthplace | Decatur, Alabama, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Black American |
| Nickname | Bama Barbie |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) |
| University | Tuskegee University |
| Degree | Logistics, Materials and Supply Chain Management |
| Career | Sales Associate, Otis Elevator Co. |
| Partner | Nicolas “Nic” Vansteenberghe |
| Instagram Followers | 2.3 million+ |
| TikTok Followers | 1.8 million+ |
| Net Worth (est. 2025) | $320,000+ |
Who Is Olandria Carthen? Early Life and Background
To understand Olandria Carthen, you have to start in Decatur, Alabama. That is where her story begins. And her story is one of grit, faith, and beating the odds.
Growing Up in Decatur, Alabama
Olandria grew up in Decatur, a small city in northern Alabama. She describes it as a tight-knit community with strong Southern values. She was the eldest child in her family and grew up with two younger sisters — Asia and Zanaria — and three younger brothers. From a young age, she took on a big-sister role. Olandria set the standard and led by example. Olandria worked multiple jobs to provide for her children. She dropped out of high school but never stopped fighting for her family. Olandria watched all of that closely. She let it shape her. Rather than letting hardship define her limits, she used it as fuel.
“Mom showed me love is action,” Olandria said in an interview with Variety in October 2025.
That quote says everything about who she is and where she comes from.
Faith and Community
Church played a huge role in Olandria’s upbringing. She sang in the youth choir, where her alto voice developed alongside her confidence. She attended community events, learned the value of showing up for others, and built a faith-based foundation that still guides her today. Growing up in Decatur gave her roots. Tuskegee University would give her wings.
Olandria’s Education: A First-Generation College Graduate
One of the most important parts of Olandria’s story is her education. She is a proud first-generation college graduate. That achievement means more than a diploma — it means she broke a cycle.
Choosing Tuskegee University
Olandria chose Tuskegee University in Alabama, one of the most historically significant Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States. Tuskegee has a legacy of producing exceptional graduates, and Olandria became one of them.
She initially planned to major in computer science. However, she later switched her focus and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Logistics, Materials and Supply Chain Management. She graduated in 2020, right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite that challenge, she finished strong.
“Tuskegee gave me roots and wings,” she said in a 2025 AfroTech interview.
Life After Graduation
After graduating, Olandria did not stop learning. She took online courses in digital marketing to build her skills as a content creator. In 2025, she also started mentoring current Tuskegee students, giving back to the community that helped shape her. Furthermore, she has used her platform to advocate for the importance of HBCUs and higher education, including a partnership with Microsoft Copilot to spotlight Tuskegee’s history and legacy.
Olandria’s Career: From Elevator Sales to Love Island Fame
Before Love Island, Olandria had a real and impressive career. She was not simply an aspiring influencer. She was a working professional with a serious job and a growing modeling side career.
Working at Otis Elevator Co.
After graduation, Olandria took a job at Otis Elevator Co. in Houston, Texas. She worked as an associate sales specialist. Her job involved selling elevator modernization solutions to businesses and managing accounts in the urban transportation sector. It is a highly technical field that demands strong communication skills, product knowledge, and the ability to build trust with clients.
“It’s like selling trust,” she told Variety in 2025. Her salary in this role is estimated to have been between $60,000 and $80,000 annually.
Modeling on the Side
Alongside her corporate career, Olandria began building a modeling career. It started small — local campaigns and events connected to her time at Tuskegee. Over time, however, her striking features, confident presence, and authentic personality attracted more attention. She started growing on Instagram and TikTok. Brands began to notice her. And then came Love Island.
Olandria on Love Island USA Season 7: The Full Journey
On May 29, 2025 — her 27th birthday — Olandria Carthen walked into the Love Island USA villa. She was one of the first two women to enter the villa that season, alongside Chelley Bissainthe. From the very first episode, she made her presence felt.
Her Start in the Villa: Taylor and Jalen
Olandria’s first coupling on Love Island USA Season 7 was with Taylor Williams. Their connection was real and their chemistry was strong. However, new contestants kept entering the villa and the dynamics kept shifting. A blindfolded kissing challenge changed things. New connections formed. Olandria remained open and honest throughout — never pretending to feel something she did not feel.
After the fan vote shake-up in episode 13, Olandria recoupled with newcomer Jalen Brown. That switch surprised some viewers. However, Olandria stayed true to herself — choosing to explore what felt genuine rather than staying somewhere comfortable out of loyalty to something that had already run its course.
Finding Nic: The Nicolandria Love Story
The most important connection Olandria made on Love Island USA Season 7 was with Nicolas “Nic” Vansteenberghe. Their relationship quickly became one of the most beloved storylines of the season. Fans gave them the couple name “Nicolandria” and the name stuck fast. What made their connection special was its depth.
CNN later described Nicolandria as “a cultural phenomenon.” That is a remarkable description for a couple from a reality dating show. However, it fits. Their relationship resonated with millions of people because it felt real in a way that is rare on television.
Runner-Up Finish and Cultural Impact
Olandria and Nic finished as runners-up in the Love Island USA Season 7 finale. They did not take home the $100,000 prize. However, they left the show with something far more valuable — a genuine relationship and a massive, loyal fanbase.
Moreover, Olandria’s time on Love Island sparked important conversations far beyond the show itself. As a dark-skinned Black woman in a space that has historically underrepresented women who look like her, her presence was powerful. Olandria spoke up about representation. She addressed racism directed at Black cast members. She stood her ground with grace and dignity. Those moments earned her deep respect from viewers and media alike.
Olandria After Love Island: Awards, Brands, and the Big Stage
What happened after Love Island USA Season 7 ended was nothing short of extraordinary. Olandria’s post-show life took off in every direction at once.
Signing With Major Agencies
Shortly after the show, Olandria signed with Digital Brand Architects for brand management. She later secured broader representation through United Talent Agency — one of the most powerful talent agencies in the entertainment industry. Those two signings together signaled a very clear message: the industry was taking her seriously.
Brand Partnerships and Modeling
The brand deals followed quickly. Olandria partnered with major names including Amazon, Visa, Hyundai, Aveeno, Vaseline, Yves Saint Laurent, and Sephora. She also modeled for NYX Cosmetics alongside Nic, appeared in UGG’s 2025 “Fluff Momma” global campaign, and starred in Reebok’s Angel Reese 1 campaign. In addition, she became the face of Barbie’s “You Can Be Any Barbie” campaign at Coachella — a perfect fit for a woman who calls herself the Bama Barbie.
Furthermore, she made her runway debut at the Sergio Hudson Spring/Summer 2026 show during New York Fashion Week in September 2025. She also attended shows by Off-White, Alexander Wang, and Theophilio during the same fashion week. Her red carpet debut at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards earned her a feature in Vogue.
Fashion Week and Magazine Covers
In January 2026, Olandria made her Paris Haute Couture Week debut. W Magazine featured her during that fashion week. She appeared in a sculptural “Heart of Gold” dress by Indian couturier Rahul Mishra at his Spring 2026 couture show — a look so stunning that it caught the attention of the French President’s office.
She also appeared on the Glamour December 2025 holiday cover alongside Nic and made her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut in the magazine’s 2026 issue. These are not small achievements. These are milestones that most models and influencers spend years working toward.
Awards and Recognition
The accolades came just as fast. Ad Age named Olandria one of the top five breakout creators of 2025. Cosmopolitan included her in the Z-Stars Class of 2025. The Root 100 listed her. The Revolt Power List added her in the Creators category.
Most significantly, in November 2025, Olandria won the EBONY People’s Choice Award at the 2025 EBONY Power 100 Gala. She beat out established icons including Audra McDonald to win. She also appeared on the cover of the EBONY 2025 Power Issue alongside the magazine’s other honorees.
In December 2025, she spoke at Harvard Business School about leadership, authenticity, and navigating professional spaces as a Black woman. She received the Women in Business Power and Purpose Award at the Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business Annual Gala. That is a truly remarkable achievement for a woman who, just months earlier, had been a sales associate at an elevator company.
Olandria and Nic: The Nicolandria Relationship Update
One of the biggest questions fans keep asking is simple. Are Olandria and Nic still together?
The answer is yes. As of April 2026, Olandria Carthen and Nicolas Vansteenberghe are still a couple. They have taken their relationship at a deliberate pace since leaving the villa. Olandria have been spotted on trips together, including a Disneyland date that fans loved. Modeled for NYX Cosmetics together. They appeared together on the Glamour December 2025 holiday cover.
Their relationship has grown steadily and naturally since Love Island ended. Neither of them has rushed labels or forced timelines. They have simply kept choosing each other — which is exactly what they did in the villa and exactly what made Nicolandria so compelling to watch in the first place.
What Fans Love About Nicolandria
Fans love Olandria and Nic because their relationship feels genuine. In a world of reality TV couples who break up before the reunion special, Nicolandria has proven to be something different entirely.
Olandria’s Advocacy: Using Her Platform for Real Change
Beyond the glamour, the brand deals, and the fashion weeks, one of the most important things about Olandria Carthen is what she does with her platform.
HBCU Advocacy
Olandria is a proud Tuskegee University graduate and a fierce advocate for the importance of HBCUs and higher education. In October 2025, she spoke at the Her Conference “Butterfly Tour” stop at Texas A&M University about the importance of higher education. She also spoke at ZCON in Los Angeles about career longevity. Her partnership with Microsoft Copilot helped spotlight the history and significance of Tuskegee University to a global audience.
Speaking About Representation
During Love Island USA Season 7, Olandria spoke openly about the challenges faced by dark-skinned Black women in spaces that have historically overlooked or underrepresented them. After the show, she continued that conversation publicly. At the reunion, she addressed racism directed at Black cast members and called out behavior she felt should have been addressed sooner and more directly. That approach earned her enormous respect from fans, media, and fellow advocates alike.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How old is Olandria from Love Island? Olandria Carthen was born on May 29, 1998. She is 27 years old as of 2025. She joined Love Island USA Season 7 on her 27th birthday, making her debut one of the most memorable of the season.
2. Where is Olandria from Love Island from? Olandria Carthen was born and raised in Decatur, Alabama, USA. She is proud of her Southern roots and often refers to herself as the Bama Barbie.
3. What does Olandria do for work?
Before Love Island, Olandria worked as a sales associate at Otis Elevator Co. in Houston, Texas. She specialized in elevator modernization solutions. Since Love Island, she has built a career as a model and brand partner with major companies worldwide.
4. Where did Olandria go to college? Olandria graduated from Tuskegee University in Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Logistics, Materials and Supply Chain Management. She is a proud first-generation college graduate.
5. Are Olandria and Nic still together? Yes. As of April 2026, Olandria Carthen and Nicolas Vansteenberghe are still together. They have continued their relationship since leaving the Love Island villa and have been seen together at multiple public events.
6. What is Olandria’s nickname? Olandria’s nickname is the Bama Barbie — a reference to her Alabama roots and her polished, stylish public image.
7. How many followers does Olandria have on Instagram? Olandria has amassed over 2.3 million followers on Instagram and 1.8 million followers on TikTok as of 2025.
8. What awards has Olandria won? Olandria won the EBONY People’s Choice Award at the 2025 EBONY Power 100 Gala. She also received the Women in Business Power and Purpose Award at the Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business Annual Gala in December 2025.
9. What is Olandria’s net worth? Olandria’s net worth is estimated at approximately $320,000 as of 2025. That figure is growing rapidly thanks to major brand partnerships with companies including Amazon, Visa, Hyundai, Sephora, NYX Cosmetics, and Yves Saint Laurent.
10. What is Olandria’s full name? Olandria’s full name is Olandria Lashae Carthen. She uses her first name alone professionally and on social media.
Conclusion: Olandria Is More Than Her Love Island Age
The answer to the most searched question is simple. Olandria Love Island age is 27. She was born on May 29, 1998, in Decatur, Alabama. She walked into the Love Island USA villa on her birthday and walked out as one of the most beloved and influential personalities the show has ever produced.
However, her age is just a number. What truly matters is what she has done with her years. Grew up in a single-parent household and chose ambition. Olandria became a first-generation college graduate at Tuskegee University. She built a real corporate career at Otis Elevator Co. She entered Love Island as herself, honest, grounded, and unapologetically Southern — and she won the hearts of millions doing it.
Since leaving the villa, she has walked runways in New York and Paris, appeared on the covers of Vogue, Glamour, EBONY, and Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam, spoken at Harvard Business School, and continued her relationship with Nic in a way that has inspired fans everywhere. Ad Age named her one of the top five breakout creators of 2025. The Root 100 listed her. Cosmopolitan included her in the Z-Stars Class of 2025.