Love Island USA’s Nic Vansteenberghe Responds to Wig Rumors

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Nic Vansteenberghe made quite the impression in the villa. 

As a die-hard admirer, I can’t help but delve into the enigma that is the “mystery hair” of Love Island USA’s star, Nic. Contrary to popular speculation surrounding his viral “mamacita” moment and Nicolandria Nation, it’s this distinctive coif that has sent the internet spiraling with intrigue.

A keen-eyed Peacock viewer sparked a buzz when they noticed what seemed like a short, curly wig in the girls’ glam room. Fueling the fire of speculation, fans are now questioning whether Nic is sporting a hairpiece within the villa.

But Nic shut down the rumors, explaining one reason his ‘do may look different day to day.

In simpler terms, the former cast member shared with TopMob News (during a joint interview with Olandria Carthen), “I sleep with my hair wet, and when I wake up, it puffs out all over, particularly on top. The rest is flat on the sides, so it appears as if I’m wearing a wig.

He quipped, “But I swear—you can pull it. Olandria pulls it.”

“Oh! What are you talking about?” Olandria quickly interjected. “Yo, my mom’s gonna see this.”

Besides clarifying one rumor, they also explained another issue – the reason for their delay in forming a partnership during their stay in Fiji before ultimately finishing as runners-up on July 13th’s finale.

If Olandria had known that Nic kissed her during the blindfold challenge, they likely would have started being a couple much sooner in the process.

She confided in TopMob that she felt the same initial attraction, leading to her kissing him on the first day. Reflecting now, despite the hardships we endured separately, our experiences remarkably resembled each other closely.

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Viewing from Nic’s perspective, there was a particular instance at the villa that strongly reinforced his connection with the woman from Alabama, following their separations with Cierra Ortega and Taylor Williams.

A significant shift occurred on the day our baby, Marcel, was born, as he revealed. Witnessing her lower her defenses and allow him to care for Marcel revealed an aspect of Olandria that he hadn’t previously observed.

Subsequently, Family Day served to solidify his emotions further, as Nic observed that gaining the endorsement from both his mother and his mother and sister provided a sense of completion.

“And that’s when I knew,” he said. “I’m like, ‘Alright, what else do I need?'”

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Each day, over 85 covert cameras capture more than enough video material to compile a one-hour program.

In my role as a devoted follower, I’ve come to understand their rhythm: Editors work tirelessly, transforming Monday’s raw footage into the polished episode we see on Tuesday, and this cycle continues.

Fortunately, Fiji, which serves as the location for the show since its first season and has been so since season five, is 16 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Consequently, if the team works late into the night, it’s still morning in the U.S., providing them with additional hours to perfect the new episode.

In 2024, Claudine Parrish, the executive producer, shared with The Wrap that the islanders’ mornings would trigger scenes for production. These events, such as ‘Boys preparing breakfast for the girls,’ would be swiftly documented and edited, often appearing in the final cut within just 15 minutes of happening, with the editor quickly transforming them into a finished scene.

It takes a whole community: Parrish mentioned that they have approximately 30 editors and 20 producers, and the story team decides on the key moments and discussions to intertwine into a more comprehensive narrative.

At times, Parrish acknowledged, not everything that appears intriguing leads to something significant. “We don’t always hit the mark,” she admitted. “We’re constantly weighing whether something is crucial or will lose its relevance in a day.

It’s clear that breakfast plays a significant role on this program, and the gentlemen responsible for cooking and serving breakfast and coffee to the women on Love Island USA have turned this routine into a globally intriguing spectacle.

But what does everyone eat for lunch and dinner, you ask?

In this particular program, while the food itself might not be the main attraction, except for perhaps burnt pancakes or that initial omelette attempt, it’s always accessible when needed.

As the victor of Love Island UK’s fourth season, Dani Dyer shared with HELLO! in 2021, I personally discovered that there were no menus. Instead, it was all about catering. Therefore, breakfast was something we prepared ourselves. So, you’d find typical items like eggs, bacon, and toast available for us to cook.

In season eight, Luca Bish admitted he didn’t know who was responsible for the cooking, stating on his TikTok in July 2023 that it was a “mystery chef” preparing meals off-site, with the dishes then being brought to the villa.

Instead of enjoying the food, Bish often stated that for his lunches and dinners, he primarily had hummus and crisps.

Over time, various competitors have disclosed that they dine apart as males and females, with the exception of when they go out on dates.

Olivia Attwood from Love Island UK season three said to The Sun in 2022 that it’s like dining with the producers, but it operates similarly to a boarding school. When we eat together, it feels like they’re giving us chores, such as reminding us to clean our rooms, setting laundry days, and asking what we’d like for breakfast tomorrow – all tasks that keep the house running efficiently.

And much like being on a jury, they’re not allowed to discuss the case among themselves.

Samuel Agbiji, a contestant from season eight, expressed in an interview with Closer in 2024 that the experience was intense. “It was challenging,” he said, “because when you’re eating, you naturally want to discuss what’s happening, but doing so interferes with filming.

One could possibly think that overindulging in alcohol for flirtatious purposes might be tolerated, if not actively supported, but in this particular setting, contestants are restricted to consuming just one drink per evening, and the drinks allowed are beer, wine, or champagne only.

Speaking on her TikTok account in June 2024, Phoebe Siegel from the fourth season of “Love Island USA” expressed that the option of either red or white wine at dinner wasn’t particularly generous with the pour.

During occasions where it seems like an open bar is available, such as victorious Casa Amor challenges, Siegel mentioned that the drinks were actually diluted with lots of water.

Iain Stirling juggles two roles as the storyteller for both Love Island UK and Love Island USA, and while shooting, he’s always pressed for time.

At 12 noon British Standard Time, as the Scottish comedian explained to TODAY in 2024, I’d tune into Love Island UK. By then, the show was almost over. We’d work for about two to three hours after that. Wrapping up by around 4:30 or 4:45. Then it was time to prepare my child for dinner, bath time, and bedtime – a routine I wished was more rock ‘n’ roll, but that was my daily life. Afterward, I’d grab some food and log on to Love Island USA at 8:30 pm, which is quite early if you consider Fiji time.

At home, Stirling watches a preliminary version of the film via Zoom, as Parrish clarified to The Wrap. He and the scriptwriters are merely taking note of amusing moments within the scene or reminders of the narrative’s progression, which are later documented using his personal microphone at home.

The story he told was incorporated into the episode prior to it being submitted for review by Peacock’s legal and standards department (who occasionally make suggestions that necessitate last-minute adjustments).

Stirling mentioned on TODAY that we might wrap things up between 12 and 1 am. He’d then keep going until around 3:30 am – a time that still leaves some U.S. broadcasts running. Ideally, he’d stay awake till 5 or even 6 in the morning, but that would mean no sleep for him at all.

Evidence of an enduring connection within the franchise: In 2020, Stirling tied the knot with ex-host of Love Island UK, Laura Whitmore, and in March 2021, they became parents to a baby girl.

The music on “Love Island USA” spans from Janelle Monae’s “Make Me Feel,” their theme song “From Fiji With Love” by The Daniel Pemberton TV Orchestra, and various pop tunes in between, creating a distinct atmosphere for the show.

In a June 2025 interview with Rolling Stone, Love Island USA executive producer James Barker expressed his enthusiasm after watching Love Island UK for the first time. He felt it was a significant step up in storytelling, especially when a familiar pop song is integrated into a TV show’s narrative. Barker remarked, “This is fantastic! More shows should adopt this format, and I can’t wait to find out how I can be part of Love Island.

As a dedicated follower, I understand the importance of having the right songs for any given moment. Unlike me who might select tracks on short notice, music clearance companies work diligently months in advance to secure licenses for tunes from artists such as Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, and Olivia Rodrigo, long before they’re needed.

We constantly prepare a large number of songs, ranging from hundreds to thousands, as we can’t predict the storyline. So, we might think, ‘This song will be ideal for someone when they eventually break up, or this one will be perfect for that first kiss.’

Interestingly, the residents on this island find themselves unable to enjoy music within their living quarters, largely due to complications with permissions, but additionally because it may interfere with the clarity of audio recordings for the concealed cameras and recording devices.

In specific situations like competitions, slow-motion dance events, or even a romantic date where a taxi driver is playing music, there can be instances where songs are heard in real time instead of being played afterwards.

To make sure the women always look their best on camera, the production team offers makeup and skincare products within the house. They are welcome to bring their own as well, though any identifiable brand names on personal items will be concealed during editing process.

For more intricate grooming tasks, professionals are involved. Every two or three weeks, Lucie Dolan from Love Island UK 2021 mentioned to Capital FM, we would get our nails, hair, and similar things taken care of. Since the nights in there are quite lengthy and their duration is not always apparent, a day for relaxation and unwinding is necessary.

On their free Saturdays, when there’s no performance, as Whitmore shared with OK!, they would have their eyelashes and acrylic nails reapplied.

In my days as a lifestyle expert, I recall that island inhabitants had no choice but to venture elsewhere for certain activities. However, in today’s era, it seems that the production of this popular show finds it more suitable to keep the contestants within controlled environments, away from the untamed wilderness during filming.

As a loyal admirer, I’ve noticed that in the initial season, they ventured out of the villa for a hair appointment at a salon. However, given the magnitude of the show now, such excursions are no longer feasible. Instead, they’ve arranged for a stylist to visit and tend to their roots right within the villa.

Producers say they’re perfectly content to ride the waves of romance.

In an interview with The Wrap in 2024, Love Island USA’s executive producer Ben Thursby-Palmer explained that the show follows real-time events in the villa. If the couples are content, there’s no need for recoupling. However, if everyone is sleeping in different beds throughout the villa, we have to shake things up and reunite them.

In a YouTube video posted in April 2023, Samie Elishi from Love Island UK’s ninth season stated that the show wasn’t scripted entirely. However, he clarified that producers might nudge contestants to speak with their couples or those involved in disagreements, as such interactions form the basis of the program. Nonetheless, the content of these conversations is left completely up to the participants themselves.

Communication devices like phones are provided to the island residents, which enable them to make calls and send messages, take pictures, and receive updates on upcoming events that can be vocalized.

In an interview with The Sun in 2019, Love Island UK season two participant Liana Isadora Van Riel explained that the contestants are given simple phones primarily for the purpose of the “I’ve got a text” drama. However, it’s not common for them to actually use these phones for messaging each other.

If Love Island USA‘s Siegel said on TikTok, “There’s no internet, no television, no social media access, and no texting with people outside the show.

In keeping with the long-standing custom of moderators in reality competitions, Ariana Madix, the host of Love Island USA, must feign indifference towards the events unfolding under her supervision.

Sometimes I feel the urge to join in, but since I’m a host, I need to maintain some neutrality when they are around,” she shared with The Wrap in 2024.

Concurrently, she intervened during the elimination of Andrea Carmona in season six, and Rob Rausch momentarily blurted out that he would depart with her. However, Madix diplomatically suggested he rethink his decision, which ultimately led him to remain.

Madix advised against making significant decisions during intense emotional periods, as it may not be the wisest choice. Additionally, there was a part of him that felt like he should challenge his decision, as he wasn’t convinced he truly intended to depart.

Madix pointed out that there are no cameramen visible to the islanders. Although cameras are positioned all over the villa, there are movable cameramen concealed behind walls. The islanders don’t usually notice these cameramen. Only the obvious areas like bathrooms have blind spots, so any conversation might seem private but it isn’t.

A private area without cameras, as revealed by Love Island UK’s Elishi, is the kitchen pantry where snacks are kept. She mentioned this in her April 2023 video, explaining that it can only accommodate one person at a time because of past incidents involving a couple in the pantry before.

On Love Island UK, several contestants have disclosed that branded condoms for the show are strategically located around the villa and can be restocked whenever needed.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t wait to catch up on all the action that’s unfolded so far in the series before the potential game-changers make their appearance. So, I’ll be tuning in to rewatch the show, eager to see how everything has developed thus far.

In a 2023 episode of her podcast, “Chloe vs. The World,” Chloe Burrows from “Love Island UK” shared that she only watches each show excluding the one aired prior to her arrival. Then, she discusses her top three preferred islanders among those already in the villa.

While the cameras never stop filming, the contestants do get one day off a week to just hang out.

In my commitment, I adhere to the rule that meal times are for bonding, not gossip or conflict resolution. Any disagreements will be saved for another day. Moreover, during our days off, since there’s no dating involved, we respectfully maintain separate sleeping quarters at night.

During his interview with This Morning in 2017, Kem Cetinay from Love Island UK’s third season explained that when microphones are off, cast members aren’t permitted to discuss anything related to the show. They can socialize, but they need to be cautious about what they talk about, as producers aim to record everything for viewers at home. It essentially provides a break from all the intense games, dates, and decisions about who they like or dislike.

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2025-07-17 05:48