Olandria Carthen

About Olandria Carthen

Olandria Lashae Carthen (born May 29, 1998, in Decatur, Alabama) is an American model, influencer, public speaker, and television personality best known for her breakout appearance on Love Island USA Season 7 (2025), where she finished as the runner‑up alongside Nicolas “Nic” Vansteenberghe. Her rise from a small Alabama upbringing to a nationally recognized media figure has solidified her status as one of the most influential Gen‑Z creators of her generation.

Known for her striking beauty, magnetic presence, and effortlessly polished aesthetic, Carthen quickly became a standout figure in reality television and fashion. Her signature blend of Southern charm, confidence, and unbothered glamour helped define her public persona — the kind of flawless, camera‑ready energy that makes her both a fan favourite and a rising force in the influencer–modeling space.


● Early Life & Education:

Carthen was born in Decatur, Alabama, the eldest of six siblings. Raised by a teenage mother, she has spoken openly about the challenges and resilience that shaped her childhood. She attended Decatur High School, where she excelled academically and participated in student leadership and honours programs. She later enrolled at Tuskegee University, initially majoring in computer science before graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management. As a first‑generation college graduate, she frequently highlights her educational journey in her public speaking and brand partnerships.

● Career Beginnings:

Before entering the public eye, Carthen worked in the corporate sector, including roles as a billing specialist and later as an associate sales specialist at Otis Elevator Co., supporting modernization projects and client operations. Her background in logistics and sales contributed to her reputation for discipline, communication, and work ethic. Alongside her corporate career, she modeled part‑time and built a growing social media presence focused on beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content.

● Love Island USA (2025):

Carthen entered Love Island USA Season 7 on Day 1 and quickly became one of the season’s most talked‑about contestants. Known for her Southern charm, confidence, and “Bama Barbie” persona, she became a fan favourite and a central figure in the season’s narrative.

Her most significant connection formed with Nicolas “Nic” Vansteenberghe, and the pair ultimately finished in second place. Their relationship — dubbed “Nicolandria” — became a cultural phenomenon, praised by CNN as “a beloved part of reality couple history.” The couple continued their relationship publicly after the show, collaborating on multiple brand campaigns and remaining one of the most followed pairs of their season. Although their post‑show relationship lasted into 2026, Carthen and Vansteenberghe ultimately parted ways in July of that year, citing long‑distance challenges and demanding schedules.

● Modeling & Brand Partnerships:

Following her breakout on Love Island USA, Carthen transitioned into a full‑time career as a model and digital creator, signing with Digital Brand Architects (DBA) and later with United Talent Agency (UTA). Her warm on‑camera presence, polished aesthetic, and strong Gen‑Z following made her an in‑demand partner for major brands across fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and tech.

She has collaborated with companies such as Kulani Kinis, Sweetgreen, Agua de Kefir, NYX Cosmetics, UGG, Reebok, Amazon, Microsoft, Vaseline, Shea Moisture, EOS, DoorDash, Uber, and Liquid I.V. Her partnership with NYX — particularly the viral “Nicolandria” lip kit inspired by her relationship with Nic Vansteenberghe — sold out within minutes, cementing her status as a creator with real commercial impact.

● Fashion Industry Impact:

Carthen’s influence expanded beyond social media as she entered the high‑fashion world with notable speed. Styled by Matthew and Reginald Reisman, she made her runway debut at Sergio Hudson’s Spring/Summer 2026 show during New York Fashion Week, marking her arrival as a legitimate fashion presence. She went on to appear at shows for Off‑White, Alexander Wang, Theophilio, Valentino Haute Couture, Rahul Mishra, and Robert Wun.

Fashion publications such as Vogue, Marie Claire, W Magazine, and Glamour highlighted her as one of the standout new personalities of the season, with W Magazine dubbing her “Paris Couture Week’s New Sweetheart.” Her growing presence in couture and ready‑to‑wear circles has positioned her as a rising figure at the intersection of reality TV fame and high fashion.

● Media Commentary & Cultural Impact:

Carthen’s body positivity, beauty standards, and public image have been widely discussed in cultural commentary spaces. A 2025 Substack analysis explored the public fascination with her appearance, the pressures placed on Black women in reality TV, and the discourse surrounding her “natural” body narrative.

● Public Speaking & Advocacy:

Beyond modeling and entertainment, Carthen has emerged as a thoughtful public speaker and advocate, drawing on her experiences as a first‑generation college graduate and HBCU alumna. She frequently speaks about the importance of higher education, representation for Black women, and navigating professional spaces with authenticity.

Her talks at institutions such as Texas A&M University, ZCON in Los Angeles, and Harvard Business School have been well‑received. Carthen’s collaboration with Microsoft Copilot — in which she highlighted the cultural and historical significance of Tuskegee University — further demonstrated her commitment to meaningful storytelling and advocacy.

● Awards & Recognition:

Carthen’s rapid rise in entertainment and fashion has earned her significant recognition. She was honoured with the EBONY People’s Choice Award as part of the EBONY Power 100 and was named to Cosmopolitan’s Z‑Stars Class of 2025. She also appeared on The Root 100 list and was included in REVOLT’s Power List in the Creators category.

Her influence in beauty and fashion earned her the title of “Beauty of the Year” from Hello Beautiful, and she won the Reader’s Choice award for Content Creator of the Year at the Model of the Year Awards. Carthen has graced magazine covers including Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam — her first solo cover — and Glamour, where she appeared alongside Nic Vansteenberghe for a feature celebrating “The Year of Nicolandria.”

● Personal Life:

Carthen and Nicolas “Nic” Vansteenberghe ended their relationship in July 2026, a little over a year after meeting on Love Island USA Season 7. Multiple outlets reported that the split was mutual and primarily due to long‑distance challenges and demanding work schedules. Despite parting ways romantically, sources close to the couple emphasized that they remain close friends and continue to hold deep respect for one another. Carthen has since focused on her individual career growth, maintaining an active presence on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, where she shares fashion, beauty, travel, and lifestyle content.


As of July 2026, Carthen has amassed 2.5 million followers on Instagram, 1.9 million followers and 28.9 million likes on TikTok, and 73.2K subscribers on YouTube, reflecting her rapid growth across digital platforms.