In a fiery family reunion on Love Island USA Season 7, Nicolas “Nic” Vansteenberghe found himself in the hot seat as his mother delivered a scolding for his steamy on-screen antics. The 24-year-old Florida native, a fan favorite in the Fiji villa, faced a grilling from his mom during Friday’s episode when loved ones jetted in to visit the contestants.
“Nicolas, in public like that?” his mother exclaimed, her tone dripping with disapproval. The moment, captured in a viral TikTok clip, was amplified by Nic’s sister, who didn’t hold back either. “We’ve seen you in the sheets. We’ve caught the night cameras,” she teased, referencing Nic’s not-so-subtle moments of passion with former partner Cierra Ortega. The duo had gotten intimate under the covers on at least two occasions, with other housemates sleeping just feet away.
Nic’s mom scolding him abt having sex in the villa đ #loveislandusa pic.twitter.com/VNw89Aop0w
— sheba ᥣđ© (@st4rdolls) July 12, 2025
Trying to brush off the embarrassment, Nic offered a sheepish, “Oh, sorry about that,” while insisting it wasn’t “in public.” He quickly added, “We move on from that,” hoping to dodge further scrutiny. But his mother’s raised eyebrow suggested she wasn’t letting him off the hook that easily.
Drama Beyond the Sheets
Nic’s former partner, 25-year-old Cierra Ortega, made headlines of her own after exiting the villa for “personal reasons” in the previous Sunday’s episode. While the show kept details vague, her departure coincided with backlash over her past use of an anti-Asian slur that resurfaced on social media. Fans demanded accountability, pointing to a precedent set when contestant Yulissa Escoba was removed in June for similar reasons.
Ortega addressed the controversy in a heartfelt Instagram statement on Wednesday, acknowledging the “incredibly offensive” nature of the word she used. “I am deeply, truly, honestly so sorry,” she wrote, admitting she was unaware of the term’s painful history. “I had no idea that the word held as much pain as much harm, and came with the history that it did or I never would have used it.” The influencer vowed to let her future actions speak louder than her apology, promising to “move differently” going forward.
A New Spark in the Villa
With Ortega’s exit, Nic was paired with Olandria Carthen, a 27-year-old nurse from Alabama who has quickly won over both fans and Nic’s family. His mother, who had been vocal about her support for the duo since June, gushed about their chemistry during Friday’s episode. In a TikTok video from earlier this summer, she raved about the “passionate spark” between Nic and Olandria, praising the latter’s authenticity and stunning physique. “She’s got a good head on her shoulders and she’s very authentic,” she said. “She’s solid. And she’s beautiful. Jesus, I’m so jealous of her body.”
Her in-person approval during the family visit was just as enthusiastic, cementing her status as Team Olandria. The new couple has since emerged as finalists in Love Island USA Season 7, with viewers eagerly watching to see if their connection will stand the test of the villa’s drama.
Love, Drama, and Family in the Spotlight
As Love Island USA races toward its Season 7 finale, Nic Vansteenberghe’s journey has been anything but smooth. From his mother’s public shaming to navigating a high-profile breakup and a controversial exit, the Florida heartthrob remains at the center of the villa’s whirlwind. Yet, with Olandria by his side and his family’s cautious approval, Nic is proving that love—and a little family tough love—can keep him in the game.