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‘Love Island USA' Fans Asked For This Coupling Twist — And They Actually Got It
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This post contains spoilers for Episode 21 of 'Love Island USA' Season 7.
This season of 'Love Island USA' may not have the sweeping romances viewers were hoping for, but it's still delivering top-tier reality TV.
Season 7 hit its halfway mark this week with the Casa Amor kickoff — and it wasted no time shaking things up. As a flood of new bombshells arrived, the show pulled off a franchise-first twist that undid every recent coupling and left all the islanders officially single.
In other words, everyone got a clean slate to explore brand-new connections — or in one pair's case, revisit an old one.
That's right, I'm talking about Nic and Olandria — or as their loyal supporters have dubbed them, 'Nicolandria.' Since early in the season, fans of the duo have been clamoring for them to couple up, despite both being mostly locked down with other islanders (Olandria with Taylor, Nic with Cierra). Flirtatious moments in challenges have hinted at a spark between the two. Still, they never had a real chance to explore a connection until after they were dumped in a jaw-dropping elimination on Tuesday.
Unlike past seasons, islanders were forced to pair up during Casa Amor instead of after returning to the villa. And as couplings shuffled around, Nic and Olandria found themselves on the outs. In typical fashion, the two were given 30 minutes to say their goodbyes. But then, 'Love Island USA' flipped the script.
After Tuesday's cliffhanger left viewers stunned to see Olandria return in a truck to scoop up Nic, we found out on Thursday that they sped off to a secret candlelit date, where they faced a big decision: stay single and go home, or couple up and head back to the villa.
Much to fans' delight, Nic and Olandria chose each other and made a sneaky return to the villa in the middle of the night. The twist shocked viewers, as well as the other islanders, but for longtime 'Nicolandria' supporters, it only confirmed what they suspected all along.
RT if you're a Nicolandria stan! 🔁 #
— Love Island USA (@loveislandusa) June 27, 2025
they didn't believe in us. they called us delusional. nicolandria hive, we did this! #
— sai (@sighidaa) June 27, 2025
everyone called nicolandria stans delusional for weeks just for us to win in the end #
— aliyah 🇰🇪 🇵🇸 (@itsaliyahbxtch) June 27, 2025
Bitch, Nicolandria stans are GAGGED LMFAO.
— carson. (@playboixcarson) June 27, 2025
Niclandria girlies are visionaries
— b²⁹⁷⁷ (@GR8Brittany) June 25, 2025
Nicolandria shippers have single-handedly proved that Strong delusion and faith works even through hardships works #
— Anivia💕 (@shesoelegantt) June 27, 2025
Naturally, the new coupling puts Olandria and Nic in a tricky spot with Taylor and Cierra, who happen to be two of their closest friends in the villa. And tensions are bound to rise during Friday's big recoupling, when the rest of the islanders return from Casa Amor and everything comes to light.
That said, some fans have accused 'Love Island USA' of leaning too heavily into fan service this season by catering to 'Nicolandria' fans and those who enjoy the manufactured chaos. However, the twist is consistent with how the show has given viewers more control than ever before.
Back in week three, fans were allowed to decide which bombshells and islanders should be coupled, for the first time in the franchise's history. The result broke up Jeremiah and Huda, Taylor and Olandria, and Hannah and Charlie, and also led to the latter's elimination. Later, fans influenced another elimination by voting for their favorite islanders, which may not have even happened if this season lived up to the show's title.
Given the lack of solid connections among the Season 7 cast, it's no wonder producers are allowing fans to puppeteer the drama more than usual. Unlike last season, which gave us several couples still going strong — Serena and Kordell, JaNa and Kenny, and Leah and Miguel — this batch hasn't delivered the same kind of genuine romance that we can root for.
So, in the spirit of making good TV (and keeping the 'Love Island USA' brand strong), I'm all for letting the fans steer the drama a bit. After all, it's our viewership that keeps the show going. Plus, the unpredictability of fan involvement makes the series that much more thrilling to watch.
Sure, these are real people genuinely looking for love on what's supposed to be a dreamy summer vacation. But at the end of the day, it's also a dating game show. Audiences have always crowned the winning couple, but to do that this season, we need at least one pair worth rooting for.
If that means fans have to stir the pot to help people find the right match, so be it. On this show, if love isn't in the air, drama is the next best thing.
Either way it goes, I'll still be tuned into Peacock at 6 p.m. PT sharp every day (except Wednesdays).
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