Olandria Carthen has continued to redefine what it means to turn reality TV into big, big dreams, like her cover of Rolling Stone Africa debuted on Juneteenth.
The Love Island USA standout wore a variety of awe-inspiring looks from African designers as she showed off her modeling skills in a multi-page interview that perfectly captures how Olandria has captivated audiences on an international level. The “Bama Barbie” has had an incredible year since fans first met her through the televised dating experiment, where she navigated colorism, sexism and the challenges of an interracial relationship in real time. She quickly became a fan favorite and since the show ended, she has become a brand all her own; expanding its reach far beyond the villa.
Despite seeming born for the moment she gets, Olandria still finds it hard to believe that she just had a regular job before joining. Love Island.
“At the time, I was focused on building a career within the elevator industry and trying to figure out my next steps,” she said of her life’s pre-fame. “I don’t think she could have imagined that millions of people would know her name, that I would be modeling, attending major events and creating opportunities from a reality TV experience.”
Sudden fame can often push people to conform every part of their lives to an unrealistic idea of perfection, for Olandria; However, she has been able to keep her feet on the ground by keeping herself surrounded by those who knew her before she entered the villa.
“The people who knew me when I was working a regular job, going to school and figuring life out are the same people who keep me grounded today,” she told the outlet. “They don’t treat me differently and I wouldn’t want them to. I’ve also learned that fame is a circumstance, not an identity. It’s easy to get caught up in attention, numbers and outside opinions, but those things can change overnight. What sticks is your character, how you treat people and the impact you have on others. I try to make decisions based on who I am, not based on who people expect me to be.”
Yet greater visibility often means the expectation that you let the world into your private life in a way that can seem voyeuristic at best. Olandria’s relationship with her boyfriend Nic Vansteenberghewhere they met Love Islandhas become a constant fixation for those who consider themselves fans or dissenters of the couple. While some expected ‘Nicolandria’ – the couple’s name given to them by their fans – to put their relationship at the center of their performances and moments outside the villa, the couple have chosen to take a private approach to their love story. A decision that has ruffled many feathers.
“Why is this your business? Are your bills getting paid? Have you been robbed? Go find a man – go do something with your life,” Olandria said in an interview with Cosmopolitan. “Why does it matter if me and Nic are together? Why are you so invested in people who don’t know you? That part scares me a little, because I’ve never been that invested in anyone’s relationship, and I don’t live for the internet. I don’t always post what people want me to do, or do what people want me to do.”
She continued her defense of keeping their relationship moments sacred, saying:
“We don’t make money from our relationship or put it on display. If you really enjoy spending quality time with someone, there shouldn’t be a camera involved every two seconds. We enjoy each other’s presence and do what normal people do: go out, have fun and get to know each other.”
Nevertheless, fans get all the Olandria moments they can stomach. And with a growing list of magazine covers, brand deals and major fashion appearances, it looks like Bama Barbie’s reign won’t be letting up anytime soon.
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