By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
DECATUR, Ala. — In a recent episode of Love Island USA, Alabama pride made a surprise appearance during a flirtatious island chat—and it came with a full dose of Auburn spirit.
During Monday night’s airing of the hit reality dating series, which streams on Peacock, Alabama native and Tuskegee University alumna Olandria Carthen, representing her hometown of Decatur, took a stand for her college football loyalty. When fellow islander Nic Vansteenberghe, a Florida native, casually asked if she was a fan of “Bama,” Carthen didn’t hesitate to make her stance clear: “War Eagle!”
The conversation began when Vansteenberghe mentioned that, despite his international travels, he had never visited Alabama. That opened the door for Carthen to pose a crucial Southern question: “Do you like college football?”
Vansteenberghe responded affirmatively and launched into a story about the University of Alabama before pausing to confirm Carthen’s allegiance. That’s when Carthen set the record straight.
“No, that’s not weird,” she responded when he seemed surprised. “That’s not weird because I love—something about being an underdog just gives me chills, and I love college football season. Saturdays, I’ll just be at home watching college football.”
The moment, which airs around the 40-minute mark of Episode 31, Season 7 of Love Island USA, struck a chord with fans of Auburn University and Southern football culture alike.
But Carthen’s reality TV journey didn’t end there.
Earlier in the season, Carthen was briefly eliminated during the show’s infamous Casa Amor twist—a pivotal moment where couples are tested by introducing new singles into the villa. Her partner at the time, Zak Srakaew, opted to recouple with someone else, leaving Carthen single and dumped from the island.
However, in a dramatic twist, the episode ended with Carthen picking up fellow eliminated contestant Nic Vansteenberghe in a car. Viewers were soon treated to a surprise: the two were given the opportunity to return to the villa as a newly formed couple. They accepted the offer and re-entered the game together, reigniting their connection and continuing to compete on the show.
Now back in the villa, Carthen remains a fan favorite—not just for her strong sense of identity and Southern pride, but also for her resilience and genuine approach to love.
All episodes of Love Island USA Season 7 are currently streaming on Peacock.