💬 Olandria expands on carrying pressure of being a Black Woman and remaining resilient:
"What people don’t always see is that I don’t have all the answers about myself figured out just because l’m in the public eye. There are still moments where I’m learning who I am outside of expectations, outside of how people perceive me, label me, or project things onto me. I think one of the most honest things about me is that I’m still evolving in real time. I’m learning how to protect my peace, how to trust my voice, and how to stay grounded when so many opinions are constantly being thrown at me. I don’t think the world fully knows how intentional I am about my inner life, my thoughts, my growth and my healing. A lot of what shapes me doesn’t happen on a stage or in front of a camera. It happens in quiet moments, in reflection, and in choosing to stay true to myself even when it’s not the easiest thing to do. If there’s something the world doesn’t fully know, it’s probably that I’m not just becoming a public figure I’m becoming myself."
💬Olandria on steps she's taken so fame doesn't change her core:
"I think the biggest thing is staying connected to the people and values that shaped me before any of this happened. 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. 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 lasts 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 on who people expect me to be."
Olandria understands the weight of being a Black woman in the spotlight and knows her fans do too:
“Dark-skinned Black women are dragged in the media all the time and no one comes to the rescue. People are always trying to say my fan base is full of ruthless bullies, but they’re responding to hate.”
“We go to dinner and watch movies at the actual movie theater. We hang out at his house in Florida. We actually took a ride on his dad’s bike. He literally got his drone and recorded me and Nic on the motorcycle. It was so cute.” 🥹
The world is in love with Olandria. And we are too.
We finally caught up with the Bama Barbie to dissect her newfound fame, her now-private relationship with Nic, and her ambitions for the future. Read the interview here: https://t.co/VUzruFNEwj
Olandria sees you speculating about her relationship with Nic Vansteenberghe: “Why does it matter if me and Nic are together? Why are you so invested in people that don’t know you? That part creeps me out. I’m not living for the internet.”
Olandria opens up about why she wants to keep her relationship private here: https://t.co/aEpbQt723G
Olandria currently has 3 commercials airing at the same time!Jo Malone London, Poppi & Jose Cuervo! Who’s doing it like her?! She’s Big Momma henni! 👏👏👏
Islanders come and go, but some stay in our hearts forever.
Love Island USA Season 8 favorite Olandria Carthen is back in the spotlight thanks to a new partnership with Cuervo — and the campaign hilariously flips the famous Heart Rate Challenge upside down.
(📸: Jose Cuervo)