‘Love Island USA’ fan favorites Orlando Carsen and Nick Vansteenberg have called it quits.
The Season 7 couple “decided to separate” a year after leaving the villa together, a source told People on Wednesday.
“Due to the distance between them and their busy schedules, it has been difficult to maintain a connection,” the source said.
“They remain close friends. They share deep love and respect for each other and support each other whenever possible.”
Page Six has reached out to representatives for Carsen and Van Steenberg for comment, but neither has publicly addressed the breakup.
The former couple stole viewers’ hearts by giving them a second chance to find love by coupling up with each other in a Casa Amor surprise.
They had each been eliminated from the show in two dramatic re-couplings, but shocked their fellow Islanders by returning to the villa holding hands.
In a previous interview with People magazine, Kazen admitted that at first he “didn’t see that spark” with Van Steenberg because of Van Steenberg’s connection to his friend Sierra Ortega.
However, after Ortega was removed from the show for previously using racial slurs, Kazen told the outlet that he made “his own selfish decision” to succumb to his chemistry with Van Steenberg.
She said that coupling up with the 25-year-old DJ was “the best decision I’ve ever made” and “made my whole experience so much better.”
The two ultimately came in second place in the season 7 finale and left the reality show as a couple.
Last month, the model defended their relationship against social media trolls who didn’t believe it was real.
“Why is it your job? Are the bills paid? Are you untouchable? Find a man. Do something with your life,” the 28-year-old told Cosmopolitan on June 18.
“People in the comments section were like, ‘Oh, I just wanted proof that we met this week.'” Why do you get so worked up about people who don’t know you? ”
She continued, “That part is kind of creepy because I’ve never been that invested in a relationship with someone and I don’t live for the internet. I don’t always post what people want me to do or always do what people want me to do.”
As for why she and Van Steenberg have largely kept their relationship out of the spotlight since Love Island USA, the influencer explained that they didn’t want to “monetize” their romance.
“If you really love spending quality time with someone, you shouldn’t use a camera every two seconds,” she added. “We enjoy each other’s presence and do what normal people do: go out, have fun, and get to know each other.”
She also hinted at the time that things were going well between the two, teasing, “He said he’s been in love twice but the third time is the charm.”
Van Steenberg admitted that the hatred towards their relationship had gone “too far.”
“At this point, the criticism and criticism is too much,” he told Us Weekly in April. “I’ve said everything I need to say, and for now I just want to avoid drawing any more attention.
“I know my own boundaries and I know how much to share and what not to share,” he explained about finding balance on social media. “Not revealing too much about our personal lives these days has been great for both of us.”
