Who Is Olandria From Love Island? Everything About Olandria Love Island Age, Life, and Rise to Fame
If you’ve been watching Love Island USA, then you already know the name Olandria Carthen. She came into the villa on day one and never left anyone’s mind. People across the US started searching for details about her background, her career, and most importantly, the olandria love island age topic. How old is she? Where is she from? What made her stand out?
This article covers everything you need to know about Olandria, from her birthday and hometown to her journey on the show and what she’s been up to since then. Lets get into it.
Key Takeaways
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Olandria Lashae Carthen |
| Date of Birth | May 29, 1998 |
| Age (2026) | 27 (turning 28 in May 2026) |
| Hometown | Decatur, Alabama |
| School | Tuskegee University |
| Occupation | Sales Associate, Model, Influencer |
| Love Island Season | Season 7, USA (2025) |
| Finish | Runner-Up (with Nic Vansteenberghe) |
| Nickname | Bama Barbie |
What Is the Olandria Love Island Age?
Let’s start right here because this is what most people are searching. The olandria love island age is 27 years old. She was born on May 29, 1998, in Decatur, Alabama. That makes her a Gemini, and honestly her personality shows it. She’s adaptable, social, deep, and always thinking.
She turned 27 in May 2025 and joined Love Island USA Season 7 just days later. Her birthday literally kicked off her biggest adventure. In 2026, she will turn 28, and based on everything happening in her career right now, it looks like her late twenties are going to be her most successful years yet.
Her age puts her right in between millennials and Gen Z, and fans from both generations connect with her. She’s mature enough to be thoughtful, but young enough to relate to the pressures of social media and dating in the modern world.
Early Life: Where Did Olandria Grow Up?
Olandria was born and raised in Decatur, Alabama. She’s super proud of her Southern roots and she doesn’t hide it. On the show, she talked about what it felt like to be from Alabama and how that shaped who she is.
She is the oldest of five siblings. She has two younger sisters and three younger brothers. Growing up as the eldest in a bigger family teaches you responsibility fast, and you can see that maturity in how Olandria carried herself in the villa.
She often described herself as the “Bama Barbie” which is both a nod to her Alabama upbringing and her love of fashion and style. It’s a fun nickname, but it also says a lot about who she is. She’s proud of where she came from and she’s not going to pretend otherwise.
Education: A First-Generation College Graduate
One of the things that makes Olandria’s story so inspiring is her education. She is a first-generation college graduate from Tuskegee University, one of the most historically significant HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) in the United States.
What Did She Study?
She initially planned to major in computer science, but she eventually graduated with a bachelor’s degree in logistics, materials, and supply chain management. That’s a very practical and career-focused degree, and it speaks to her goal-oriented nature.
Why Tuskegee University?
Tuskegee University has a rich history, and Olandria has been vocal about what it meant to her to attend an HBCU. After her time on Love Island, she partnered with Microsoft Copilot to highlight the history of Tuskegee and the importance of HBCUs in America. She’s not just someone who went to a famous school. She actually goes back to talk about it, advocate for it, and promote it to younger generations.
Her education background is a big part of her identity, and she brought it up naturally throughout her time in the villa. It made her stand out because not everyone on reality TV leads with their college degree and career story.
Career Before Love Island
Before joining the show, Olandria had a real job. She worked as a sales associate at Otis Elevator Co. in Houston, Texas. She supported modernization projects in the elevator and escalator industry. Yes, you read that right. An elevator salesperson turned reality TV star and international model.
What Her Job Taught Her
Working in sales teaches you how to read people, how to communicate clearly, and how to stay cool under pressure. All of that showed up during her time on Love Island. She was one of the most calm and level-headed contestants of the season. Even when things got dramatic, she handled it with grace.
She moved from Alabama to Houston, Texas after graduation, which also shows a lot about her character. She packed up and started over in a new city to build her career. That takes guts.
For more stories about people who took unexpected paths to success, check out Our blog for more inspiring reads.
Olandria on Love Island USA Season 7
Now for the big part. The olandria love island age search mostly comes from people who watched her on Season 7 and wanted to know more. Here’s a full breakdown of her journey on the show.
How She Entered the Villa
Olandria entered the villa on Day 1 of Season 7 alongside Chelley Bissainthe. She was one of the first two women to step into the villa, which immediately put a spotlight on her. She showed up in a blue dress, full of confidence, and ready to find love.
Her First Couple: Taylor Williams
On the first night, she coupled up with Taylor Williams, a cowboy and model from Oklahoma City. Fans loved them together. They stayed a couple for about 11 days and had a solid, genuine connection. But Love Island always throws a twist.
Casa Amor Drama
Things changed during Casa Amor, where the female islanders left the main villa. Each islander had to couple up with someone new or risk going home. Olandria initially coupled with Zak Srakaew, but Zak chose to move on with someone else, leaving Olandria vulnerable. She was eliminated alongside Nic Vansteenberghe.
But the story didn’t end there.
The Comeback
After elimination, Olandria and Nic went on a date and decided to come back to the villa as a couple. This shocked everyone, both the islanders and the viewers at home. Their return was one of the most talked-about moments of the season.
“Nicolandria” Is Born
From that point, Olandria and Nic became one of the most beloved couples on the show. Fans started calling them “Nicolandria”, and the name took off. They finished the season as runners-up, just missing out on the top spot and the $100,000 prize.
Olandria’s Representation on Love Island
This is a topic worth spending real time on. Olandria received enormous attention on the show not just for her personality or her love story, but for what she represented as a dark-skinned Black woman on a major US reality show.
Why It Mattered
Reality TV has a long history of not giving dark-skinned Black women the same romantic storylines or fan support as other contestants. Olandria changed that narrative on Season 7. Viewers rallied behind her, and media outlets wrote extensively about the significance of her journey.
She handled the attention with grace and used her platform to speak about things that mattered. She didn’t make it a big speech in the villa. She just showed up authentically, and the impact spoke for itself.
HBCU Pride
She brought HBCU pride to a mainstream audience. For many younger viewers who maybe didn’t know much about historically Black colleges, Olandria made Tuskegee University feel cool, important, and real.
Life After Love Island: From Villa to Vogue
The olandria love island age conversations didn’t stop when the show ended. Her post-show career has been absolutely incredible.
Brand Deals and Modeling
After the show, Olandria signed with Digital Brand Architects and later with United Talent Agency (UTA). She’s done campaigns for brands like:
- UGG (2025 Fluff Momma global campaign)
- Reebok (Angel Reese 1 campaign)
- NYX Cosmetics
- Amazon
- Visa
- Hyundai
- Sephora
- Yves Saint Laurent
Ad Age named her one of the top five breakout creators of 2025, and Cosmopolitan included her in their Z-Stars Class of 2025. That’s a pretty incredible run for someone who was a sales associate just a year before.
Fashion Week
In January 2026, she made her Paris Haute Couture Week debut, attending shows by Rahul Mishra, Valentino, and Robert Wun. She wore a sculptural “Heart of Gold” dress at Rahul Mishra’s show that was literally viewed by French President Emmanuel Macron. She also attended the Grand Dîner du Louvre at the Louvre Museum.
In February 2026, she debuted at Milan Fashion Week, appearing at shows by Roberto Cavalli, Blumarine, and GCDS.
She walked the red carpet at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards and attended the Vanity Fair Oscar party. She also attended the Bridgerton Season 4 premiere in Paris.
Awards and Speaking Engagements
She 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, where she gave a speech about leadership, authenticity, and navigating professional spaces as a Black woman.
She spoke at Texas A&M University, ZCON in Los Angeles, and Harvard Business School. Not bad for a 27-year-old from Decatur, Alabama.
Olandria’s Social Media Presence
Her social media numbers grew fast after Love Island. Here’s a quick look at where she stands:
| Platform | Handle | Followers |
|---|---|---|
| @x__0lan | 2.3 million+ | |
| TikTok | @olandria_carthen | 1.7 million+ |
She uses her platforms to share her travels, fashion, personal moments, and advocacy. She’s not just posting for likes. She’s building a real brand with purpose behind it.
Olandria and Nic Vansteenberghe: The “Nicolandria” Love Story
One of the sweetest parts of the olandria love island age story is her relationship with Nic. After their elimination and dramatic return, the two stayed together after the show and have remained a solid couple.
Who Is Nic?
Nic Vansteenberghe is a Belgian-American who also appeared on Season 7. He and Olandria were both eliminated during Casa Amor, but they chose each other on their date and came back stronger.
Why Fans Love Them
The couple is genuine. They don’t put on a show. They post together, support each other’s careers, and show up at public events as a team. They appeared together on Glamour’s December 2025 holiday cover, which was a huge moment.
CNN even referred to “Nicolandria” as “a beloved part of reality couple history.” That’s a strong statement, and it shows just how much of an impression they made on viewers.
Olandria’s Physical Stats and Style
At 5 feet 6 inches tall (168 cm), Olandria has an athletic build and a style that blends Southern charm with high fashion. Her look on the show was clean, confident, and always put together. Post-show, she’s leveled up to major fashion campaigns and front rows at Paris and Milan.
Her transition from Love Island contestant to legitimate fashion model is one of the quickest and most organic-feeling in recent reality TV history. She didn’t force it. It came naturally because she has the look, the personality, and the work ethic to back it up.
What Makes Olandria Different From Other Reality Stars
There are a lot of people who go on reality TV and fade out quickly. Olandria is not one of them. Here’s why she’s different:
- She had a real career before the show. She wasn’t chasing fame. She had a job and a life.
- She’s educated. A supply chain management degree from a top HBCU is not a small thing.
- She uses her platform with purpose. She talks about HBCUs, Black women’s representation, and career development.
- She’s authentic. Fans can tell when someone is being real on TV, and Olandria was consistently herself.
- She works hard post-show. She didn’t sit back and wait for things to happen. She signed with agencies, took meetings, and showed up.
FAQ: Olandria Love Island Age and More
Q: What is olandria love island age? A: Olandria Carthen is 27 years old. She was born on May 29, 1998, and will turn 28 in May 2026.
Q: Where is Olandria from? A: She is from Decatur, Alabama. She later moved to Houston, Texas, for work.
Q: What season of Love Island was Olandria on? A: She appeared on Love Island USA Season 7, which aired in 2025.
Q: Did Olandria win Love Island? A: No. She finished as the runner-up alongside her partner Nic Vansteenberghe.
Q: What did Olandria do before Love Island? A: She worked as a sales associate at Otis Elevator Co. in Houston, Texas, after graduating from Tuskegee University.
Q: Is Olandria still with Nic? A: Yes. As of early 2026, they are still together and going strong.
Q: What is Olandria’s nickname? A: She calls herself the “Bama Barbie,” a playful nod to her Alabama roots and her fashion sense.
Q: What awards has Olandria won? A: 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 Harvard.
Q: Is Olandria a model? A: Yes. She has done campaigns for UGG, Reebok, NYX, Sephora, Yves Saint Laurent, Amazon, and more. She also debuted at Paris Haute Couture Week and Milan Fashion Week in early 2026.
Conclusion
The olandria love island age story is more than just a number. It’s the story of a 27-year-old woman from small-town Alabama who worked hard, got educated, took a leap of faith on national television, and came out the other side as one of the most recognized faces in pop culture.
She showed up as a first-generation college grad, a sales professional, and a proud Southern woman with strong values. She left as a model, an award winner, a Harvard speaker, and one of the most talked-about reality TV personalities of 2025.
Whether you’re searching because you saw her on Love Island, stumbled across her Instagram, or heard her name at Paris Fashion Week, one thing is clear: Olandria Carthen is just getting started. And at 27 going on 28, the best is probably still ahead.
For more pop culture profiles and stories about rising stars, check out Our blog.
Last updated: March 2026
