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Love Island USA season 7 released episode 7 on June 8, 2025. The segment saw a heartbreaking recoupling ceremony that resulted in Belle-A's elimination from the island. It was challenging to watch since Belle-A, who was single, fell prey to Nic's fake promises and sweet nothings, so much so that she ended up believing him, hoping he would choose her over Cierra.
However, during the recoupling ceremony, Nic showed his true colors when he sent Belle-A packing. What disappointed me the most was how he led Belle-A into believing he had feelings for her and that their chemistry was not lost. It was Nic's indecisiveness and his complete disregard for the ladies' feelings that left Belle-A with a broken heart.
In the previous Love Island USA episode, Nic kissed and assured Belle-A that she was still on his mind, even when Belle-A was prepared to move on, considering he was no longer her partner. I hate how he reeled her back into reconnecting with him. He gave her hope, raised her expectations, and made her giddy, only to choose someone else over her.
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There were several chances for him to come clean to Belle-A about his feelings, but Nic chose to wait until the last moment, which to me was the worst thing he could have done. He continued to mislead her, saying he had feelings for her, making Belle-A increasingly optimistic about her chances.
While one can feel conflicted and unsure about their choices, the way Nic handled the situation was disrespectful. Moreover, his decision to state the "photobooth" moment with Cierra as one of his reasons to choose her was the worst way to send Belle-A home. The casual mention not only proved that Nic was leading Belle-A on but also showed how little respect he had for either of the girls.
"I've never been put first in my life" — Love Island USA star Belle-A opens up about feeling sidelined
In one of the segments of Love Island USA, Nic cuddled with Belle-A, and they spoke about their interests and life in general. The conversation made Belle-A feel hopeful about her chances with Nic, considering he reciprocated her energy and reassured her that she was not being hopelessly optimistic.
"It was nice to just be in the moment together. We weren't thinking of anybody else. I wasn't thinking of anybody else. I actually can't talk for him, but his body language was saying he wasn't thinking about anybody else," Belle-A said in a Love Island USA confessional.
With the way Nic behaved around Belle-A, it was natural for her to feel like he was contemplating having her as his romantic partner. However, now we know that was not the case. Even if I try to understand his indecisiveness, I cannot overlook how poorly he managed the whole situation.
There were many chances where he could have told Belle-A about his blossoming chemistry with Cierra, but he utilized those chances to reassure her of his feelings for her instead. Had he given Belle-A a hint, he could have lightened the impact of the final blow. It would have been a more respectful way of handling things.
However, Nic had his own plans. I do not understand why he continued to lead her on when she was trying to look the other way.
Nic first broke Belle-A's heart when he coupled up with Cierra in an earlier episode. However, instead of letting Belle-A go, the Love Island USA islander reeled her back in, convincing her he had yet to move on. Now that Belle-A was blinded by his fake promises, he crushed her once again by choosing Cierra over her. I hate how he orchestrated a situation that could have been avoided.
Even before the recoupling ceremony, Nic told Belle-A that he had feelings for her, despite his connection with Cierra. It made Belle-A optimistic, as she said in a confessional, she was not ready to leave the villa just yet.
However, her expectations were crushed when Nic chose Cierra, saying the intimate moment they shared in the photobooth was "unforgettable."
It was heartbreaking to hear Belle-A say that she often put the "wrong people" first instead of valuing her own feelings.
"I've never been put first in my life," she added.
Before leaving the Love Island USA villa, Nic and Belle-A had a private conversation, in which Belle-A said she had "high hopes." It illustrated how Nic tagged her along and disillusioned her with his fake promises.
What was more hurtful was to hear Belle-A say that she should have "just gotten the hint." While Nic took no accountability for misleading her, Belle-A felt it was her fault that she misread the signs. I absolutely hate how a woman was yet again questioning herself for another man's mistakes.
However, I became a proud viewer when Belle-A told Nic that her elimination from the Love Island USA villa was not her loss. At the end, she held Nic accountable for his actions, saying he "made it like this." At the same time, it was astounding to see Nic not realize what he had done.
I wonder what he will do once Cierra finds out he kissed Belle-A minutes before their "unforgettable" photobooth moment. Will Cierra confront him for blindsiding both her and Belle-A? Only time will tell.
Love Island USA episodes are currently streaming exclusively on Peacock.
