With the summer sun beginning to set, fans of the hit reality franchise Love Island are far from bidding farewell to the drama, romance, and wild antics that have become synonymous with the show. In fact, the excitement is only just heating up, thanks to a double dose of news that’s sure to get hearts racing: Olandria Carthen, the straight-talking star of Love Island USA Season 7, has been dishing out her signature advice ahead of the much-anticipated reunion, while the franchise gears up for the return of Love Island Games with its highly awaited second season.
On August 18, 2025, just a week before the reunion episode of Love Island USA Season 7 is set to air, Olandria Carthen sat down with Interview magazine to offer her unfiltered takes on everything from “situationships” to self-sabotage. Carthen, who quickly became a fan favorite for her candor and wit, didn’t hold back. Addressing the all-too-relatable dilemma of being stuck in an undefined relationship, she advised, “Let him know. Closed mouths don’t get fed. If his reaction is what you want it to be, continue to build on what you have. If it’s the opposite of what you want it to be, and I think we all know where I’m going with this one, leave, leave, leave and save your energy.” According to Interview, Carthen’s approach is all about clarity and self-respect—a message she hopes resonates with viewers preparing for the reunion on August 25.
But Carthen’s advice didn’t stop at romance. When asked how to begin treating oneself with more kindness, she championed the power of positive affirmations. “Start by speaking to yourself in the mirror. I am beautiful, I am handsome, I will be successful. Or you can choose to place random sticky notes around your house with different affirmations on them. Every time you go do the most random things like open a refrigerator, you’ll read that to yourself.” For Carthen, self-love is not just a buzzword—it’s a daily practice.
For those who find themselves oversharing or struggling to maintain an air of mystery, Carthen had a simple solution: “Just sit back, relax, observe, and it’s going to become something that you’ll like.” Drawing from her own experience, she explained how stepping back from social media and resisting the urge to broadcast every move can help cultivate intrigue and self-assurance.
Of course, no conversation with a Love Island alum would be complete without a little talk about looking good on camera. Carthen’s secret? Confidence and knowing your angles. “You see confidence, you wear it. You’ve got to look confident. And know your angles. Between confidence and knowing your angles, those are the key to good-looking pictures.”
The conversation also touched on trust and boundaries in relationships. When a reader asked for tips on hacking a partner’s Instagram, Carthen didn’t mince words: “Now, if you got to do all that, I don’t think you need to be with that man. If you got to do all this FBI work to make sure he’s being loyal to you, leave that man and go be with somebody else. I might throw a little therapy in there too, because we’ve all been there. No shame. Protect your peace before anything.” Her message was clear—protect your peace and don’t compromise your self-worth for the sake of a relationship.
Addressing the all-too-common habit of self-sabotage when things are going well, Carthen offered empathy and encouragement: “Honestly, I’ve been there a lot. Sometimes you got to say yourself, ‘You know what? Things are going great. This person’s being very good to me, or I’m experiencing all these good things and I deserve it. I deserve good things.’ I think we’re used to getting let down and when things are good, so it makes us paranoid. Just take a step back, think about it, reiterate your thoughts, and go in with an open mind. We don’t all need to go through a lot of trauma and craziness in order to get what we need or what we want.”
For those dreaming of joining the Love Island ranks, Carthen’s advice was simple but pointed: “Love Island loves crazy personalities. But when it comes to answering questions and things like that, be true to yourself. They’ve been in the game a long time, and they’re going to be able to see through your craziness. So come as you and they will love you.” According to Interview, authenticity is the ticket to making a splash on the show.
While Olandria’s words are still echoing in the hearts of fans, there’s even more to look forward to in the Love Island universe. As reported by NBC Insider on August 22, 2025, Love Island Games Season 2 is set to premiere on September 16, 2025, exclusively on Peacock. The spinoff, which first shook up the franchise by pitting fan-favorite Islanders from the USA, UK, Australia, and beyond against each other in Fiji, is back with all the dating drama, eliminations, re-couplings, and curveballs that viewers have come to expect—plus a grand prize of $100,000 waiting for the winning couple.
For those unfamiliar, Love Island Games takes the tried-and-true formula of the main show and turns up the heat with even more competition. The format is familiar—romance, rivalry, and the constant threat of elimination—but with an added twist: Islanders from across the globe are given a second shot at love (and glory) under the Fijian sun. And if fans thought the action was over after the jaw-dropping finale of Love Island USA Season 7, NBC Insider assures them, “Summer just got extended.”
This season, there’s a new face at the helm. Ariana Madix, who has served as host of Love Island USA since Season 6 in 2024, will make her official debut as the host of Love Island Games Season 2, taking over from Maya Jama. Madix’s enthusiasm for the role is palpable—she encouraged fans to “mark their calendars” for the September 16 premiere in a July 13 Instagram post, as noted by NBC Insider. Joining her will be Iain Stirling, returning as the beloved narrator, and Maura Higgins, reprising her role as the franchise’s social media host.
For those who need to catch up or simply want to relive the rollercoaster ride, all episodes of Love Island Games Season 1 are available to stream on Peacock. While the cast for Season 2 remains under wraps, anticipation is building as fans speculate which familiar faces will make their way to Fiji for another shot at love and the coveted cash prize.
With Olandria Carthen’s no-nonsense wisdom guiding fans through the complexities of modern romance and the promise of more high-stakes drama on the horizon, Love Island devotees have plenty to talk about—and plenty to look forward to—as summer winds down. Whether you’re tuning in for sage advice or the thrill of competition, the world of Love Island is showing no signs of slowing down.
As the countdown to both the reunion and the new season begins, one thing’s for sure: the drama, the laughs, and the lessons in love are far from over.
