Fans spotted the “Love Island USA” season 7 cast seemingly arriving one by one to film the show’s second-ever reunion episode Aug. 12 in New York City.
Videos and photos of the season’s cast, who quickly shot to fame during the show’s airing, flooded social media, especially TikTok, on Tuesday. The social discourse focused on the former islanders’ outfits, who arrived solo and not as couples, and ongoing speculation about whether breakout star Huda Mustafa, who amassed over 4 million Instagram followers, would be in attendance.
Highlights of the season included a viral moment from Jacksonville’s own Nic Vansteenberghe, the recognizable voice behind the “I’m a mommy, mamacita” meme and half of the beloved couple, #NicOlandria, whose relationship grew into a phenomenon of its own online.
Here’s which couple was crowned the winners of “Love Island USA” season 7, how Vansteenberghe did on the show and how to watch the reunion.
Who won ‘Love Island USA’?
Amaya Espinal from New York and Bryan Arenales from Boston were ultimately crowned as America’s favorite couple in the season finale of ‘Love Island USA’ season 7. The couple won the hearts of fans later in the season, the “ship” starting after Bryan defended Amaya during a challenge where the islanders confronted one another via letters.
Espinal and Arenales became “exclusive” on their final date in the last episode, agreeing to continue to explore their connection in the real world.
Jacksonville’s Nic Vansteenberghe and his partner Olandria Carthen were the runner-ups, while Huda Mustafa and Chris Seeley placed third, and Iris Kendall and Pepe Gonzalez came in fourth.
When does the ‘Love Island’ season 7 reunion come out?
The season 7 “Love Island USA” reunion will drop on Peacock on August 25 at 9 p.m. ET.
“Love Island USA” host and Melbourne, Florida native Ariana Madix and talk show host Andy Cohen will co-host.
Watch ‘Love Island USA’ with Peacock
Who is Nic Vansteenberghe?
Nic Vansteenberghe, 24, was one of the younger Islanders on Season 7. He’s originally from Jacksonville, which makes him one of two Floridians alongside Chelley Bissainthe, 27, from Orlando, who remains competing in this season of Love Island. Outside the villa, Nic balances two careers, working as a registered nurse and as a model. He earned his nursing degree from Florida Atlantic University and is represented by both Next Miami Management and DT Model Management.
In his introductory video, Nic described himself as a nurse who’s “looking for someone to take care of,” adding that what people might not realize about nursing is that “80% of the job is charm, giving patients positivity, a little bit of love, and affection.” The same energy and charm he has brought to the island.
Who did Nic date this season?
With so many twists and turns in his journey, it’s no surprise that the charismatic model introduced himself as a “mystery box” — a fitting bit of foreshadowing for someone whose path in the villa proved unpredictable from start to finish. As he hinted in his introductory video, what you get at the beginning might be very different from what you end up with in the end. Here’s a recap of what his love life looked like this season.
Nic Vansteenberghe initially coupled up with Belle-A Walker, but when bombshell Cierra Ortega entered the villa, she and Nic matched up, creating a love triangle.
In a dramatic recoupling during episode six, Nic chose Cierra, sending Belle-A home. Nic and Cierra stayed together until Casa Amor, where they were both encouraged to explore new connections. There, Cierra paired up with Elan Bibas, while Nic struggled to form a new bond and was temporarily dumped from the villa.
Instead of leaving, Nic was able to return to the villa in a fan-favorite couple with Olandria Carthen, who had also struggled to connect with anyone.
When the two villas combined, Nic recoupled with Cierra in an emotional recoupling and the couple later “closed off.” Cierra abruptly left the villa due to a “personal situation,” and Nic recoupled with Olandria. The couple placed second, earning the title of “Love Island USA” Season 7 runner-ups.
What is ‘Nicolandria?’
“Nicolandria” came to be after Cierra unexpectedly left the dating series due to a “personal situation,” which left Nic single. With Nic back in the mix, Olandria, his close friend in the villa, chose him as her partner.
The pair had previously coupled up when they both failed to spark new connections during Casa Amor, but decided things felt platonic.
Fans who picked up on their chemistry since the couple kissed in the first episode’s blindfold challenge were thrilled to see the pair finally shift from platonic to romantic, fueling the viral couple nickname “Nicolandria.” The duo were the season’s runner-ups, earning second place in the finale episode.
Where is the ‘I’m a mommy’ Mamacita?’ meme from?
Huda Mustafa, who is a single mother of a 4-year-old, told the other girl islanders but not the guys about her daughter.
After telling Jeremiah Brown, who she was coupled up with at the time, that she has a daughter, Mustafa chose to confide in Vansteenberghe.
During the conversation, Vansteenberghe appeared to slowly process the information, leading to the now-viral exchange.
Contributing: Lianna Norman, Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: When does ‘Love Island’ reunion come out? How to watch Jacksonville native back on screen
Reporting by Ashley Ferrer and Doris Alvarez Cea, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
