It’s a weekday summer night in West Hollywood, and Roosterfish patrons are looking for open space to see the screen, sit with friends and enjoy a drink as they watch the latest drama unfold during episode 20 of the hit Peacock series.
Back in Fiji, where Love Island USA is filmed, it’s the second night of Casa Amor, a part in the series where couples are split up as the girls leave the villa to meet a new group of guys and the guys stick around to meet a new group of girls.
However, this season, both the islanders and viewers were met with an unexpected twist: there would be one less new guy and girl, meaning the original islanders had 24 hours to make a connection or be at risk of packing their bags and leaving the villa.
Murmurs of “I fear it’s going to be Amaya,” “She needs to lock in,” and “This is crazy” are among the commentary that can be heard throughout the bar as fans await the results from the night’s episode. It’s a packed house thanks to Reality Bar, a promotion group that organizes reality TV watch parties at local bars throughout Los Angeles.
Typically, during this part of the season of Love Island USA, it’s the islanders who choose whether or not they want to bring a new contestant to the villa, but this year, the power belongs to the Casa contestants.
@carolyn.burt Cheers for Amaya Papaya after JD brings her breakfast in Casa Amor. @reality bar #loveislandusa #loveisland #loveislandseason7 #amayapapaya
There are boos and cheers from viewers interspersed throughout the episode as moments between the islanders unfold on screen. The crowd erupts in excitement as fan favorite Amaya Espinal—lovingly referred to by the nickname she gave herself, “Amaya Papaya”—receives breakfast from one of the boys despite not being in a couple and at risk of being sent home.
The recoupling between the villa and Casa Amor takes up two-thirds of the hour and twenty-minute episode. “This is terrible,” says a viewer as Espinal awaits her fate. The emotions become heavy for the girls on screen as Zak Srakaew stands up to couple up with Espinal, leaving Olandria Carthen now in a vulnerable position. The islanders receive a text that Carthen, an early fan favorite, has 30 minutes to pack her bags. As tears begin to flow, the girls rush to envelop her in a group hug.
@carolyn.burt Replying to @r@y Love Island USA fans react to Amaya and Zak coupling up during episode 20 #loveisland #loveislandusa #loveislandseason7 #amayapapaya @reality bar
Over in the villa, the night plays out like a game of musical chairs. TJ Palma is originally single, but Vanna Einerson soon couples up with him. This leaves Ace Greene single before Coco Watson stands up to couple with him. Viewers began to take note that there appears to be a plan in motion as the next guy, Taylor Williams stands up. Nic Vansteenberghe looks to the girl he’s been coupled up with, Clarke Carraway, and jokes, “Don’t leave me, baby,” before she decides to get up to recouple with Williams.
This leaves Vansteenberghe as they say on the show, “single and vulnerable.” All eyes, both in the villa and at Roosterfish, appear to be on contestant Jaden Duggar, who is coupled up with fellow islander Austin Shepard. Vansteenberghe was seen earlier in the episode aiming to make a connection with Duggar. It’s as if the guys of the villa have been playing chess in an attempt to stay in Fiji, knowing if their partner leaves them they’ll need a new girl to save them.
But ultimately things come to a halt as Duggar remains seated next to Shepard. The text comes in, Vansteenberghe has 30 minutes to pack his bags and leave the villa.
At Roosterfish, someone shouts, “Girl, stop crying, you don’t feel bad,” as bystanders chuckle. Elsewhere in the bar, fans are shocked that this could really be the end of Vansteenberghe and Carthen’s journey on the show. But then whispers begin to take place as some think back to the text the islanders received—it only mentioned packing their bags, it said nothing about being dumped from the show.
The screen fades to black, but the end credits don’t play as usual. Instead, dramatic music takes over the speakers as the TV cuts to a bird’s-eye view of the villa. The crowd at Roosterfish is shocked, gasps can be heard from across the room. A black G-Wagon is seen driving in the dead of night, with its license plate reading “LOVE.” Vansteenberghe is still walking out of the villa, suitcase in hand.
The car stops, the passenger door swings open, and the West Hollywood bar is bursting with cheers so loud that the noise alerts on nearby Apple Watches go off. It’s Carthen.
“Quick! Hurry up! Get in!” she shouts to Vansteenberghe as she motions for him to join her in the getaway car.
“What the f—” he responds.
“Nic, come on, hurry,” Carthen says back, smiling. With a wide grin on his face, Vansteenberghe rushes toward her and hops in the vehicle.
“What are you doing here?” he asks as the screen fades to black and the credits roll.
@carolyn.burt Love Island USA fans react to shocking twist ending for season 7 episode 20 at Roosterfish in West Hollywood. @reality bar #loveislandusa #loveisland #loveislandseason7
In a shocking twist, Carthen and Vansteenberghe haven’t been dumped, and those who attended the Reality Bar event can’t believe the moment they just experienced together. There are hugs and high-fives, conversations, and debates on whether Nicolandria (the ship name viewers gave to a Carthen and Vansteenberghe coupling since early episodes) is actually happening.
Since episode 20 aired on June 24, more drama has unfolded on-screen and off. Contestant Cierra Ortega left the series 10 episodes later after receiving backlash online following the resurfacing of a screenshot of her using offensive language on social media. Ortega had been coupled up with Vansteenberghe since the first week of the season, and the two had just decided to be closed off a few days prior.
Narrator Iain Stirling announced Ortega’s departure from the show 15 minutes into episode 30, stating that she had left the villa due to a “personal situation.” Vansteenberghe remained on Love Island USA, now single again. During the recoupling ceremony at the fire pit that night, Carthen decided she wanted to give their connection another chance and decided to couple up with him.
While Love Island USA is wrapping up its season on Sunday, July 13, Reality Bar is just getting started with hosting reality TV watch parties throughout Los Angeles for the summer. The group has already shared some upcoming dates for other shows, such as Bachelor in Paradise, Big Brother, and Drag Race All-Stars, where fans can gather together at local bars to watch.
And for Love Island USA fans, as one chapter closes another begins. Following the Season 7 finale, the premiere of Love Island USA’s spin-off, Love Island: Beyond the Villa, will air. This series brings back Season 6 fan favorites as they regroup in Los Angeles, navigating their relationships and new fame a year after the series catapulted them to fame.