‘Love Island USA’ exposes Gen Z’s messiest dating traits — and it’s hard to look away

In this opinion piece, the author uses Love Island USA Season 7 to explore how Gen Z contestants navigate intimacy, dating, and emotional vulnerability on screen, reflecting broader generational trends around sex and relationships. Amid the commentary on the villa’s performances of desire and hesitancy to form deep emotional bonds, the season’s treatment of Olandria Carthen stands out, especially in her interactions with Taylor Williams, who repeatedly dismisses her despite her confidence and beauty. The dynamic underscores how modern dating shows can mirror real-world attitudes about desirability and connection, while also highlighting Olandria’s poise in a cast often more focused on performance than authentic intimacy.