‘Love Island USA’s Chelley and Olandria Call Out the Racist Undertone of the Mean Girl Narrative

After Love Island USA Season 7, Olandria Carthen pushed back against the “mean girl” label that gained traction on social media, arguing that the harsh backlash she and fellow islander Chelley Bissainthe received was rooted in racist double standards rather than their actual behavior on the show. They explained that while they held others accountable during challenges, they never demeaned or bullied anyone, and were surprised to see fans quickly villainize them in a way that Black women are often unfairly judged when they express assertiveness. Olandria shared that she felt exhausted having to “tone down” her reactions to avoid the stereotype of the “angry Black woman,” highlighting how pervasive bias can shape online narratives long after the cameras stop rolling