If they’re not your dream person, don’t get involved with them

It has been a while since the seventh season of Love Island USA wrapped up. Still, the season seven cast continues to generate a lot of buzz through: podcast appearances, brand deals, and appearances at acclaimed award ceremonies.

The connections that took place between some of the islanders during that season also continue to be a hot topic, as they are relatable to people who have had similar experiences in real life. A connection that comes to mind is the former connection between Olandria Carthen and Taylor Williams.

The two coupled up in the first episode, with Carthen being more invested in the connection than Williams. However, there was a temporary shift in Williams becoming more invested when bombshell Jalen Brown joined the cast, and America voted for Brown to be coupled up with Carthen. When a recoupling took place, Carthen opted to recouple with Williams, with Brown being dumped from the island after he received the least number of votes. Instead of using this as an opportunity to step up, Williams continued to string Carthen along.

When the couples were split up, with the women sent to a second villa during Casa Amor, Williams showed a genuine interest in Casa Amor bombshell Clarke Carraway. During a recoupling in both villas, Carthen and Nic Vansteenberghe, who had been interested in Carthen since the start, seemed to be dumped, but in a twist, they were saved and allowed to return to the original villa as a couple. When the new couple surprised everyone the next morning, Williams appeared to be more excited over Vansteenberghe’s return while barely acknowledging Carthen.

Although Carthen was coupled up with Vansteenberghe, she was still open to exploring a connection with Williams. When Carthen realized she was better off just being friends with Vansteenberghe, she chose Williams at a recoupling, who opted to explore a connection with Carraway instead. This left Carthen at risk of being dumped from the villa, but she was saved by the other islanders.

During the “Standing on Business Challenge,” Carthen called out Williams for never sparing her feelings and also for taking her for granted while they were coupled up. “You don’t give that you’re trying to explore. So, it’s like you’re telling me one thing, but you’re moving another,” said Carthen. These were just some of the words Carthen expressed to Williams as she was rightfully hurt and upset over him using her as a placeholder.

When the final recoupling for the season occurred, Carthen chose to be in a couple with Vansteenberghe, and she made the right choice, as this was someone who had a genuine interest in her from the start and continues to show her love and do amazing things for her after the season wrapped up. Viewers of the show are rooting for the two of them and refer to them as “Nicolandria.”

Unfortunately, there’s nothing new about someone using another person as a placeholder before moving on and stepping up with the person they actually want. However, it’s still a huge turnoff when people string others along in that fashion. If you’re not into someone, or you’re not sure about them, set them free.

Don’t play with someone’s emotions and make them waste valuable time they could have spent building a connection that is built on honesty with someone who will reciprocate their feelings for them. Use that time to do your own thing and find your dream person instead.