What Love Island USA’s Taylor Thinks of Nic and Olandria’s Romance

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Taylor Williams is cautiously optimistic for the Nicolandria Hive.

During the run of “Love Island USA”, numerous viewers have been hoping that Nic Vansteenberghe and Olandria Carthen would finally find love. However, Nic’s former love interest, who was eliminated together with Clarke Carraway in the July 8 episode, questioned whether there could be a genuine connection between them after their initial attempt during Casa Amor.

In a private conversation with TopMob News, Taylor shared that when they were in a relationship, the romantic feelings didn’t seem to be reciprocated. After Olandria moved past their relationship and resumed her connection with Nic, they both attempted to rekindle the romantic aspect, but Nic consistently expressed that those feelings weren’t fully present yet.

However, that’s not to say the 25-year-old isn’t rooting for his fellow Islanders.

He went on to say, ‘I’m not sure if they’ve developed that romantic aspect in their relationship,’ but I truly wish it’s genuine.

Regarding Taylor’s ups and downs with Olandria, particularly his choice to court Clarke, 24, during the “Stand on Business” competition, Taylor maintains that their past troubles are simply a thing of the past.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I wholeheartedly support Olandria and Nic’s relationship. Watching them share affectionate moments during the challenges, I found myself joining the crowd in encouragement. I have no personal conflicts with any of the villa residents.

Apart from that, Taylor, living in Oklahoma, is committed to nurturing a thriving long-distance romance with Clarke, originating from South Carolina.

He mentioned that they have discussed finding a solution, “Now, let’s find a way to make it happen.” Previously, arrangements were made for him to travel to Charlotte, while she would come to Oklahoma. So, he assured that they will certainly manage to put everything into action.

And Clarke is eager to get acquainted with Taylor’s country lifestyle.

She requested that her cowgirl gear be prepared, mentioning that she might not end up wearing more than half of what’s currently in her wardrobe.

Tune into “Love Island USA” each evening (with the exception of Wednesdays), right here on Peacock. Plus, stick around to uncover fascinating behind-the-scenes facts about the franchise!

Every day, overabundant video footage is captured by 85 concealed cameras, which eventually needs to be edited down into a single hour-long episode.

However, they quickly adapt their process, using Monday’s footage for Tuesday’s broadcast, and this pattern continues.

Fortunately, Fiji, the location for the first season’s setting and where production has been since Season 5, is 16 hours ahead of Eastern Time Zone. This means that working late into the night results in it still being the previous day’s morning in the U.S., providing the team with valuable extra hours to perfect the latest episode.

According to Claudine Parrish, executive producer, in 2024, she explained to The Wrap that on the island, the team wakes up and creates scenes based on real-life events as they unfold. These scenes are then labeled, for example, ‘Boys preparing breakfast for the girls.’ Remarkably, just 15 minutes after an event occurs, it’s incorporated into the edits, with the editor swiftly transforming it into a finished scene.

It takes a whole community: Parrish explained that they have approximately 30 editors and 20 producers, along with a story team who decide which significant events and discussions to integrate into a broader tale.

At times, Parrish acknowledged, not everything that appears intriguing leads somewhere meaningful. She admitted, “We don’t always strike the perfect balance, and we’re constantly evaluating whether something is significant or will be irrelevant by the next day.

On this program, it’s evident that breakfast plays a crucial role as the day’s first meal. With the gentlemen handling the culinary duties for the women in Love Island USA, it has sparked worldwide interest regarding their cooking and coffee-making skills.

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

In this program, while the food itself may not be the main attraction (except for perhaps burnt pancakes or your inaugural omelette), it’s still conveniently accessible.

Dani Dyer, winner of Love Island UK season four, shared with HELLO! in 2021 that there were no menus on the set. Instead, they provided their own catering, which meant cooking breakfast themselves. So, for breakfast, they had options like eggs, bacon, toast, and similar items.

In season eight, Luca Bish expressed surprise about who was doing the cooking, stating on a TikTok video uploaded in July 2023 that it was “some unidentified chef hidden away in the field,” and the meals were transported to the villa.

Instead of enjoying the food, Bish often said he was eating hummus and chips for both lunch and dinner.

Over time, it’s been disclosed by various participants that men and women dine apart, with the exception being during dates.

Olivia Attwood from Love Island UK’s third season stated in 2022 to The Sun. She described the living situation as similar to a boarding school, where during dinner, instructions like cleaning rooms, scheduling laundry days, and planning breakfast are given, all aimed at keeping the household running efficiently.

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

Samuel Agbiji shared in an interview with Closer in 2024 that season eight was challenging due to the fact that while eating, he found himself yearning to discuss ongoing topics, but such conversations interfered with the filming process.

It’s possible you could think that getting overly tipsy while flirting wouldn’t be met with disapproval, but in this competition, each participant is allowed just one drink per evening, and the permitted drinks are limited to beer, wine, or champagne.

In her June 2024 TikTok post, Phoebe Siegel from Love Island USA’s fourth season expressed that the wine served at dinner wasn’t particularly generous.

During events like a Casa Amor challenge victory celebration, where it seems like an open bar is available, Siegel stated that the drinks were actually quite diluted or weakened.

Iain Stirling juggles two roles, serving as the storyteller for both Love Island UK and Love Island USA; while filming, he maintains a busy schedule to keep up with his duties.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, around noon U.K. time, I’d find myself immersed in the captivating world of “Love Island UK.” By this hour, the show was nearing its conclusion, setting the stage for our two to three hours of creative writing. Done by 4 PM, it was then time for preparing my child’s dinner, overseeing bath and bedtime routines – a less glamorous but essential part of my life. I longed for a more rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, but that was my reality. Then, at half past eight, I would switch gears again, tuning into “Love Island USA” – an early viewing especially considering it was quite late in Fiji time.

At home, Stirling views a preliminary edit of the project via Zoom, as Parrish shared with The Wrap. He and the writing team are simply noting amusing elements within the scene or recollections of past story events, which they record from their home studios using their microphones.

The story he told was incorporated into the episode prior to it being submitted to Peacock’s legal and standards department, who occasionally make last-minute adjustments based on their feedback.

Stirling mentioned to TODAY that we might wrap up around midnight or 1 am. He also shared that he’d keep going until nearly 3 am – a time when the show is still ongoing for the U.S. In an ideal scenario, he’d be up till 5 or 6 am, but that would mean no sleep for him at all.

Evidence showing the longevity of the franchise relationship: In 2020, Stirling tied the knot with ex-Love Island UK presenter Laura Whitmore, and in March 2021, they became parents to a baby girl.

The music on Love Island USA, ranging from Janelle Monae’s “Make Me Feel” to the theme song “From Fiji With Love” by The Daniel Pemberton TV Orchestra, and all the catchy tunes in between, sets a distinct mood for the show.

In a 2025 interview with Rolling Stone, Love Island USA’s executive producer, James Barker, expressed his amazement upon watching Love Island UK for the first time. He was struck by the way personal connections to popular songs enhanced the storytelling in the show. This sparked his thoughts: “Wow, this is a new level of reality storytelling! I believe more shows should emulate this format. And secondly, how can I get involved with Love Island?

Music clearance companies prepare and license songs well in advance, ensuring that a variety of tracks from artists like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, and Olivia Rodrigo are legally available for use, even if the need arises spontaneously.

We constantly prepare a vast collection of songs, as we can’t predict the direction the story will take. For instance, one track might be ideal for when someone eventually breaks up, while another could be perfect for capturing the excitement of a first kiss.

Interestingly, the inhabitants of the villa are unable to enjoy music, primarily due to complications with copyright clearances. Additionally, playing music may interfere with the recording quality for hidden cameras and microphones, making conversations more difficult to capture clearly.

In specific scenarios like competitions, slow-motion dance events, or even when someone hops into a taxi for a date and the driver plays tunes, there can be instances where songs are heard in real life instead of being played later.

To make sure the women always look perfect for the camera, the production offers makeup and skincare products at the location. They’re welcome to bring their own, but any identifiable branding on their personal items will be hidden during post-processing.

As someone who appreciates a well-maintained appearance, I understand the importance of regular grooming. Yet, when it comes to more intricate tasks like getting my nails done or having a professional hair styling session, I leave that to the experts. Every two or three weeks, I make time for these appointments to ensure I look and feel my best. It’s all about balance – long days in the spotlight can be exhausting, so it’s essential to have downtime to recharge and relax.

On their days off from hosting, when there’s no show scheduled, as Whitmore shared with OK!, they often have their eyelashes and acrylic nails re-done.

Previously, inhabitants used to travel to other places, however, currently, it is not possible for the contestants to be filmed in the wild during the production of the show.

According to Whitmore, it seems that in the initial season, [they] departed from the villa to get their hair styled at a salon. However, given the magnitude of the show now, they’re unable to do so. Instead, someone comes to them to touch up their roots.

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

During Love Island USA in 2024, executive producer Ben Thursby-Palmer shared that we adapt to the current situations within the villa. If everyone is content within their pairs, there’s no necessity for recoupling. However, if they’re all spread out sleeping individually around the villa, we need to reorganize and bring them back together again.

In a YouTube video posted in April 2023, former contestant Samie Elishi from Love Island UK season nine stated that the show wasn’t scripted at all. However, he added that producers would encourage them to talk to specific couples or engage in discussions where conflicts might arise, to keep the show interesting. Nevertheless, the actual content of these conversations was left entirely up to the participants.

As a passionate devotee, I find myself utterly captivated by the ingenious provision of devices on this idyllic isle. These gadgets serve multiple purposes, from making calls and sending messages, to snapping breathtaking images, and even providing updates about upcoming events that demand our attention. It’s as if they are designed to keep us connected and informed in every way possible.

In her interview with The Sun back in 2019, Love Island UK season two alum Liana Isadora Van Riel stated that the phones provided are quite simple, mainly used for texting each other. However, she mentioned that they’re more for the dramatic ‘I’ve got a text’ scenes rather than regular communication.

In another scenario, Love Island USA’s Siegel mentioned on TikTok, “You can’t search online, you can’t watch regular television, you can’t use your social media accounts, and you can’t send texts to anyone not involved in the show.

In the classic style of peacekeepers in reality TV competitions, Ariana Madix, the host of Love Island USA, must feign indifference towards the events happening under her supervision.

Sometimes I’m tempted to join the action, but since I’m the host, I need to maintain some neutrality when they’re around,” she shared with The Wrap in 2024.

Simultaneously, during season six, she voiced her opinion when Andrea Carmona was eliminated and Rob Rausch spontaneously declared he’d quit along with her. However, Madix kindly suggested he rethink his decision, and in the end, he chose to remain.

Madix suggested it might not be wise to make a significant decision when emotions are running high. Additionally, there was a part of him that felt tempted to test his friend’s intentions, as he wasn’t convinced he truly intended to depart.

Madix, living in a nearby hotel during filming with a view of the villa, mentioned that no cameramen are visible to the islanders. Although there are cameras positioned all over the villa and movable cameramen hidden behind walls with sliders, the islanders do not usually notice them. There are no hidden blind spots in the house, except for the obvious ones like the bathroom or shower, so any conversation you might think is private isn’t necessarily so.

Another private area without cameras: The kitchen pantry where the snacks are, as mentioned by Elishi on Love Island UK. She explained in her April 2023 video that this space only accommodates one individual at a time due to certain incidents involving couples that occurred within the pantry previously.

Various participants on “Love Island UK” have disclosed that branded condoms for the show are available throughout the villa, with requests for refills being accommodated.

Before the explosive events that could change things significantly happen, they are given a chance to preview the series to recall what has transpired so far.

In a 2023 episode of her podcast “Chloe vs. The World,” Chloe Burrows from “Love Island UK” shared that she doesn’t watch episodes that air prior to her own entrance into the villa, and instead, she selects her top three favorite contestants among those already there.

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

This implies that just like during mealtimes, certain rules apply here too – no talking about gossip or resolving conflicts. Any disagreements should be saved for another day. Additionally, because they don’t have specific days off together, males and females are not allowed to sleep in the same bed on their individual off-days.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it this way: “During my time on Love Island UK’s third season, I learned that when we take off our microphones, we’re asked to steer clear of discussing anything related to the show. This is because the producers want to ensure everything is caught on camera for viewers at home to enjoy. It’s a sort of break from the intense games, dates, and the constant decisions about who we fancy and don’t.

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2025-07-11 15:48