"Love Island’s" Olandria and Chelley on Labels, Hair, and Life Beyond the Villa - AmNews Curtain Raiser

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Thursday, August 21, 2025

"Love Island’s" Olandria and Chelley on Labels, Hair, and Life Beyond the Villa



Love Island’s Olandria and Chelley on Labels, Hair, and Life Beyond the Villa

When Love Island USA’s Olandria and Chelley walked into the Fiji villa during Season 7, they were instantly seen as confident and stylish — and, to some, intimidating. The pair quickly formed a friendship they call sisterhood. But once the season aired, the women found themselves facing a label they say didn’t match their reality: the “mean girls.”


In a conversation with Teen Vogue, the duo spoke about how they handled criticism, what it means to navigate reality television as Black women, and where they hope to go from here.




On their friendship, and why season seven was the right time


Q: You two bonded quickly in the villa. Did timing play a role in that?


Olandria: We’re soul sisters for a reason. We’ll always say to one another, “God knew we needed each other.” I’m so happy the past seasons didn’t work out for us, because season seven was the year to be here at the same time.


On staying true to themselves


Q: Chelley, what mindset did you carry into the villa?


Chelley: Before going on the show, I told myself to just be myself. They could either like you or not, but I never want to feel like I’m putting up a facade. I also said, “Don’t feel like you’re not deserving of this opportunity, because out of all the people in the world, you were here for a reason.”



On being labeled “mean girls”

Q: After the season aired, some viewers — and even fellow Islanders — called you the ‘mean girls.’ How did you respond to that?


Chelley: It was confusing and so weird because we knew who we were in that villa. We know how much we showed up for every single person on that island. So for us to come out and see that we’re mean girls, we’re like, “Mean girls where?”


Olandria: To see our fellow islanders playing into that narrative was hard. It’s like, you knew us. Why would you get out and let social media get to your head? A lot of them played into that mean girl, bully narrative. I’m like, “Okay, this is not fair.”


On calling out castmate behavior

Q: Some of the criticism centered on moments where you confronted other Islanders, like Huda. What was it like facing that backlash?


Chelley: How dare you say something like that to us, but not to everyone who was having mean girl energy? It goes back to the whole idea that as a Black woman, the moment you act “out of character,” you’re done. We didn’t call anyone names. We just spoke our truth and held people accountable.


On balancing authenticity with public opinion

Q: Did you feel pressure, especially as Black women, to modulate how you showed emotion on screen?


Chelley: I knew going in I was representing more than just myself. The world always tries to label us as “angry Black women.” I knew I had to dial my emotions back, which I did for most of the season.

The moment I broke, people were like, “I knew it. That’s the real her.” I wanted to be unapologetically me, but it’s like this world doesn’t allow Black women to do that.

On hair and presentation in the villa

Q: You both mentioned hair maintenance became part of survival in the villa. What did that look like?


Olandria: On our off days, Chelley and I would be on the floor crocheting my hair, looping my braids through. We didn’t have anyone there to braid our hair.


Chelley: I remember sitting down with producers when I first landed and saying, “By the way, I’m changing my hair.” They were like, “What do you mean?” I said, “I can’t leave it like this, I’m going to braid it.”


Q: And yet, you still faced online comments about your hair.


Chelley: It was sad to see comments like, “They need their hair done.” You see how many challenges I’m doing? Since when do you know someone who goes in the water 20 times in a summer and comes out looking fresh?


Olandria: For me, it goes back to childhood. I always struggled with my complexion and my 4C hair. I used to feel like I looked the opposite of what beauty was supposed to be in the Black community. If only I could go back and hug little Olandria and say, “Baby, you’re beautiful.”


On the future beyond Love Island

Q: What’s next for you both?

Chelley: My biggest goal right now is longevity. Modeling, working with brands, hosting—so many different things. And yes, I’m happily in love. But until [Ace] officially asks, “Will you be my girlfriend?” I’m not his girlfriend.


Olandria: I don’t want to put myself in a box. Yes, I want to model. I want to go into beauty, podcasting—I want to do everything to see what sticks.


Photographs by Patience Ojionuka / Teen Vogue.


Credits:


Photographer: Patience Ojionuka


Photo Assistants: Esai Velasquez, Hypatia Sorunke, Zuri Moultrie


Art and Design Director: Emily Zirimis


Senior Designer: Liz Coulbourn


Associate Visuals Editor: Bea Oyster


Style Director: Alyssa Hardy


Associate Editor, Style and Beauty: Donya Momenian


Associate Culture Director: Claire Dodson


Culture Editor: Kaitlyn McNab


Associate Director of Audience Development and Analytics: Mandy Velez Tatti


Senior Social Media Manager: Honestine Fraser


Senior Social Media Manager: Jillian Selzer


Editorial Assistant: Skyli Alvarez

 


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