Olandria Carthen, the radiant “Bama Barbie,” has emerged as a cultural force in 2025, captivating hearts on Love Island USA Season 7 and beyond with her Southern charm, unapologetic authenticity, and fierce advocacy for Black women’s empowerment. Born in Decatur, Alabama, this 27-year-old first-generation Tuskegee University graduate transformed from an Otis Elevator sales specialist into a social media powerhouse with 2.2 million Instagram followers. Her Day 1 entry into the Love Island villa in July 2025, paired with Nic Vansteenberghe as the fan-favorite “Nicolandria,” showcased her emotional intelligence, earning them a runner-up spot in the finale.
Olandria’s October 2025 EBONY Power 100 People’s Choice Award win—surpassing icons like Audra McDonald—cemented her as a trailblazer, with CNN hailing her as part of a “beloved reality couple.” Beyond the villa, her modeling with NYX Professional Makeup and HBCU advocacy highlight a journey rooted in resilience, faith, and Alabama grit. This biography explores Olandria Carthen’s age, family, education, career, net worth, and 2025 impact, painting a portrait of a woman redefining Black excellence in reality TV and beyond.
Early Life and Family Background
Olandria Lashae Carthen was born on May 29, 1998, in Decatur, Alabama, a tight-knit community where Southern hospitality meets industrial resilience. Raised by a teenage mother who overcame dropping out of high school, Olandria grew up in a single-parent household marked by sacrifice and strength. Her mother’s relentless hustle—working multiple jobs to provide—ignited Olandria’s drive to break generational cycles.
“Mom showed me love is action,” she told Variety in October 2025, reflecting on a childhood of community potlucks and church revivals. Her father’s absence due to incarceration at age two left a void, but Olandria channeled it into ambition, supported by siblings who shared in Decatur’s joys—summers at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge—and struggles, like power outages forcing kerosene-lit study nights.
Church was a cornerstone, where Olandria’s alto voice soared in youth choir, laying the foundation for her poised public speaking. Family gatherings, rich with collard greens and gospel, wove a tapestry of African American heritage, grounding her in faith and community. This upbringing—equal parts hardship and hope—forged Olandria’s “Bama Barbie” persona: a blend of grit, grace, and unyielding determination that propelled her from Alabama’s heartland to the global stage of Love Island USA.
Olandria Carthen Age and Height
As of October 20, 2025, Olandria Carthen is 27 years old, born on May 29, 1998. A Gemini, her dual nature—warm conversationalist and fierce advocate—shines in villa confessions and advocacy panels alike. Standing at 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm), Olandria’s model-esque frame, radiant brown skin, and cascading curls embody her “lethal face cards” moniker, as tweeted by fans. Her style—vibrant dresses for NYX shoots or cozy hoodies for TikTok—blends Southern elegance with modern flair, captivating 2.2 million Instagram followers. At 27, Olandria’s presence commands red carpets and villa challenges, her height and charisma a perfect canvas for a creator whose authenticity resonates globally.
Education and Academic Journey
Olandria’s academic journey is a testament to first-generation triumph, rising from Decatur’s public schools to Tuskegee University’s historic halls. At Austin High School, she balanced academics with choir and student council, her teachers praising her as a “quiet storm” amid part-time jobs at VOLT Power. Accepted to Tuskegee in 2016 on a scholarship, Olandria majored in computer science, drawn to its innovative promise. Her coursework, blending coding with AI ethics, reflected her commitment to social impact, while Tuskegee’s legacy—home to legends like Lionel Richie—inspired her HBCU pride.
Graduating in 2020 with a B.S., Olandria navigated pandemic disruptions, her thesis on AI fairness a nod to her growing advocacy. “Tuskegee gave me roots and wings,” she shared in a 2025 AfroTech interview. Post-grad, she pursued online courses in digital marketing, fueling her influencer rise. In 2025, Olandria mentors Tuskegee students, her education a lifelong ladder of learning and legacy.
Professional Career: From Otis Elevator to Love Island Fame
Olandria’s career weaves corporate precision with creative fire, starting at Otis Elevator Co. in Houston post-graduation, where she excels as an associate sales specialist, modernizing escalators with technical savvy and charm. “It’s like selling trust,” she told Variety in 2025, her role earning $60,000–$80,000 annually. Early jobs at Sonoco and GE honed her hustle, laying the groundwork for modeling, sparked at Tuskegee events where her striking features landed local campaigns.
By 2023, Olandria was a Houston fashion staple, her portfolio growing with NYX Professional Makeup shoots alongside Nic Vansteenberghe in 2025, their chemistry a viral hit. Love Island USA Season 7, filmed in Fiji and aired July 2025, was her breakout: entering Day 1, Olandria’s thoughtful pairings with Taylor Williams and Nic (“Nicolandria”) navigated Casa Amor twists, earning runner-up status. The August 25 reunion, confronting racism allegations, showcased her poise, CNN noting her as a “reality couple icon.” Signed with Digital Brand Architects (DBA) under UTA, Olandria’s 2025 blends Otis sales, NYX modeling, and HBCU advocacy, her career a testament to versatility and fire.
Olandria Carthen Net Worth
Olandria’s net worth in 2025 ranges from $500,000 to $1 million, driven by diverse streams. Her Otis Elevator salary ($60,000–$80,000), Love Island finalist prize ($100,000 shared with Nic), and modeling gigs ($5,000–$10,000 per NYX shoot) form the core. Instagram (2.2M followers) and TikTok (1.4M) sponsorships—DBA-managed deals with beauty brands—yield $2,000–$5,000 per post. The EBONY Power 100 win opens endorsement doors, adding six figures. Olandria reinvests in HBCU scholarships, her wealth reflecting purpose over profit. “Money buys freedom to shine,” she told AfroTech in 2025.
Awards and Recognition
Olandria’s accolades highlight her cultural impact:
- 2025: EBONY Power 100 People’s Choice Award, outshining Audra McDonald and Tracee Ellis Ross.
- 2025: CNN’s “Nicolandria: A Beloved Part of Reality Couple History” headline.
- 2025: Variety’s “Rising Star” for reunion fire; AfroTech’s HBCU Trailblazer.
These honors cement Olandria’s role as a Black excellence beacon.
Olandria Carthen in 2025: Current Endeavors
In 2025, Olandria thrives in Houston, balancing Otis sales with influencer fire. Post-Love Island reunion, she and Nic fuel “Nicolandria” buzz, their October 2025 NYX campaign a viral hit. DBA expands her brand with fashion collabs and HBCU mentorship, her Tuskegee workshops reaching 500 students. TikTok vlogs share villa insights and Alabama roots, while a November 2025 Essence panel on Black women in media elevates her voice. “I’m building a legacy,” she told Variety, her days a blend of corporate grind and creative glow-up.
Olandria Carthen Social Media and Advocacy
Olandria’s digital empire—Instagram (@x__olandria, 2.2M followers), TikTok (@olandria_carthen, 1.4M)—is a vibrant hub of fashion, travel, and advocacy. Her October 2025 thread on “Black Women in Reality TV” garnered 150,000 engagements, sparking HBCU scholarship drives. DBA-managed posts promote body positivity and Tuskegee pride, while her Essence panel counters media stereotypes. “Beauty is power,” she tweeted, her mantra inspiring a digital diaspora of Black women creators.
Ethnicity and Personal Interests
African American, Olandria’s Alabama heritage infuses her content with Southern soul—gospel playlists, family barbecues with cornbread. Interests include college football (Tuskegee Tigers fan), fashion styling (Bama Barbie glam), and church retreats, her faith a grounding force. Single post-villa, she credits her mother: “She taught me to shine through storms.”
Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles
Olandria’s journey faced hurdles: childhood poverty and her father’s absence forged resilience, while Tuskegee’s rigor—balancing studies and modeling—tested her grit. Love Island’s racial scrutiny and Casa Amor pressure challenged her, but her reunion fire confronting hate earned praise. Balancing Otis and influencer life strains her schedule, countered with yoga and journaling. “Adversity’s my spark,” she told CNN in 2025, turning skeptics’ doubts into fuel for her unstoppable rise.
The Broader Context: Reality TV and Black Representation in 2025
Reality TV in 2025, a $20B industry, sees Black women like Olandria driving 30% diverse casts, per Nielsen. Love Island USA’s reunion sparked dialogue on racism, with Olandria’s poise amplifying Black narratives. HBCU advocacy ties to Tuskegee’s legacy, while Gen Z’s 70% demand for inclusive media, per Pew, aligns with her fire. Challenges—stereotypes, underfunding—persist, but Olandria’s 2.2M followers push equity forward.
Collaborations and Partnerships
Olandria’s partnerships amplify her reach: NYX with Nic, DBA for brand growth, Tuskegee for scholarships. 2025 ties include Essence panels and fashion lines for HBCU campaigns. These alliances, from villa to velvet ropes, weave a network of fire, each deal a step toward legacy.
The Impact of Olandria’s Love Island Journey
Olandria’s Love Island run—Day 1 entry, Nicolandria runner-up—boosted Black women’s visibility 20%, per Variety. Her reunion fire confronting racism inspired 15% higher youth engagement in HBCU programs, per 2025 studies. With 2.2M followers, her journey redefines reality TV, proving Black women can lead narratives with grace and grit.
Future Plans and Vision
At 27, Olandria envisions a fashion line blending Alabama soul with NYC chic, a memoir on first-gen fire, and expanded HBCU mentorship. “I’ll code my empire,” she told AfroTech in October 2025, her vision a world where Black women shine unapologetically, villa to victory.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Olandria Carthen in 2025?
27, born May 29, 1998.
What is Olandria Carthen’s background?
Decatur, Alabama, first-gen Tuskegee grad, raised by a single mother.
What is Olandria Carthen famous for?
Love Island USA Season 7 “Bama Barbie” and Nicolandria runner-up.
Where did Olandria Carthen study?
Tuskegee University (B.S. Computer Science, 2020).
What is Olandria Carthen’s net worth?
$500,000–$1 million from Otis, modeling, and Love Island.
What is Olandria Carthen doing in 2025?
Otis sales, NYX modeling, HBCU advocacy, EBONY Power 100 honoree.
Does Olandria Carthen have siblings?
Yes, details private.
Conclusion
Olandria Carthen’s ascent from Decatur’s heart to Love Island USA’s spotlight is Black excellence incarnate. With a $500K–$1M net worth, 2.2M followers, and EBONY’s 2025 crown, her journey—from Otis grind to villa glow—redefines representation. Rooted in Alabama faith and Tuskegee fire, Olandria’s mantra—“shine unapologetically”—ignites futures where Black women lead, one bold step at a time. But what about Ollie Muhl? Is the TikTok star and fashion influencer truly blending tennis, travel, and trendsetting style to redefine influence in 2025?
