The tropical paradise of *Love Island USA* Season 7 turned into an emotional rollercoaster on June 24, 2025, as a dramatic Casa Amor recoupling left fans, including tennis superstar Coco Gauff, reeling from the departure of fan-favorite islanders Olandria Carthen and Nic Vansteenberghe. The episode, aired on Peacock, culminated in a cliffhanger that sent social media into a frenzy, with Gauff confessing, “Had me crying,” over the heart-wrenching twist. The unexpected exit of Olandria and Nic, followed by a cryptic post-credit scene, has sparked hope among viewers that their journey in the Fiji villa might not be over, transforming a tearful goodbye into a beacon of anticipation.
The Casa Amor twist, a hallmark of *Love Island*’s chaos, forced the original islanders to form new connections with bombshell newcomers, testing the strength of existing bonds. At the villa, the recoupling saw bombshell Vanna Einerson choose TJ Palma, leaving Ace Greene vulnerable. Coco Watson then coupled with Ace, which left Taylor Williams single—until Clarke Carraway chose him, leaving Nic without a partner. “What the f—?” Nic exclaimed, stunned by the outcome. Meanwhile, at Casa Amor, Zak Srakaew opted for Amaya Espinal over Olandria, whom he’d been paired with, leaving her single. “I did not want to say goodbye here, and I feel like this time I was actually getting it right,” Olandria said in her confessional, her voice heavy with disappointment as she reflected on her connection with Taylor. The villa erupted in tears, with Cierra Ortega, who had bonded with Nic, sobbing as he packed his bags. “No, like when he started crying because he thought he’d be leaving without seeing her again, that really got me,” a fan posted on X, echoing Gauff’s emotional reaction.
Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, has been an avid *Love Island USA* viewer, often sharing her reactions to the show’s twists. Her emotional investment in Nic and Olandria’s story reflects the broader fanbase’s attachment to the duo, who captivated audiences since the season’s June 3 premiere. Olandria, a Tuskegee University alumna, brought a poised charm, expressing hope for a post-show reunion with Taylor: “Me and Taylor will find our way to each other.” Nic, known for his playful energy, had struggled to solidify a connection, particularly with Cierra, who was torn after vibing with bombshell Elan Bibas at Casa Amor. “Within five minutes of conversing, I was like, ‘Oh, s—, this is going really well,’” Cierra said of Elan, highlighting her conflicted feelings.
The episode’s bombshell came in a post-credit scene that flipped the narrative. As Nic wheeled his suitcase out of the villa, a jeep pulled up with Olandria inside, shouting, “Hurry up, get in!” Nic, bewildered, asked, “What are you doing here?” before jumping in, leaving viewers stunned as the screen cut to black. “Plot twist and I’m loving it because this season I was sick of hearing couples in the villa saying ‘we open’ and y’all making out under the sheets,” a fan raved on X, capturing the excitement. Speculation is rife that Nic and Olandria might be headed to a secret villa or a new twist, with fans dubbing them “Nicolandria” and celebrating their potential return. “Now if it wasn’t Nic AND Olandria sent home, they would have never done this twist,” another fan noted, crediting the duo’s popularity for the producers’ bold move.
Hosted by Ariana Madix, *Love Island USA* Season 7 has been a whirlwind, with its Casa Amor shake-up proving to be one of the most dramatic yet. As fans await the next episode on June 26, Gauff’s tearful reaction and the cliffhanger have amplified anticipation, ensuring that Nic and Olandria’s story—and their unexpected jeep ride—will keep the villa buzzing.
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