Love Island USA Season 7's debut featured a little but significant moment between Nic Vansteenberghe, a nurse from Jacksonville, Florida, and Belle-A Walker, a 22-year-old barista from Honolulu, Hawaii. Following her own "no kiss on the first date" rule, Belle-A asked Nic and another competitor, Taylor, to kiss her on the cheek rather than the lips during the first pairing ceremony. This choice resulted in her being paired with Nic, which paved the way for their first friendship while living in the villa.
When Belle-A and Nic were seen holding hands later in the show, it was a subtle gesture that made spectators wonder about the nature of their relationship. This hand-holding moment was particularly noteworthy given Belle-A's reticent attitude toward physical closeness, raising questions about whether it was a sign of a platonic gesture or the start of a deeper bond. Even though the season has only just begun, viewers are eager to see how their romance develops in the upcoming episodes.
Fans have responded to Belle-A and Nic's brief encounter in a variety of ways. While some viewers are excited by the possibility of a developing romance, others see their relationship as sibling-like. In order to keep viewers interested and wondering about the two's future in the villa, it is unclear how their connection will evolve as the season goes on.
A fan of Love Island USA wrote,
"Nic and Bella is a case of siblings or dating fr #LoveIslandUSA"
Another admirer shared on X,
"Bella and nic are so awkward #LoveIslandUSA"
"Nic seems like a freak idk if Bella is spicy enough for him #LoveIslandUSA"
"Ngl Nic and Bella are actually boring me so let’s wrap that up 😂😂 #LoveIslandUSA," a tweet read.
More fans of Love Island USA posted their opinion on Nicolas and Bella-A's interaction.
A viewer expressed on social media,
"Nic trying so hard no to call Bella boring 😭😭 #LoveIslandUSA"
A person wrote,
"It ain’t looking good for Bella, she may be the first boot if nic picks ola or the new girl #LoveIslandUSA"
"nic was waiting to jump on that and bella talking about kisses on the cheek #LoveIslandUSA," an X user commented.
Nicolas and Bella-A hold hands in the Love Island USA Season 7 premiere episode
In Love Island USA Season 7 episode 1, audiences witnessed a fleeting but significant exchange between Belle-A Walker and Nicolas Vansteenberghe. The two were spotted holding hands during a lighthearted conversation in the villa, which was a striking gesture given the show's early dynamics. Although the program didn't go into great detail regarding the background of their hand-holding, it raised questions about the nature of their connection.
The brief physical contact between Belle-A and Nic has sparked rumors of a possible relationship or close friendship developing between them. Viewers are excited to watch how their connection evolves during the season and whether this moment portends something more profound.
Stay tuned to watch new episodes of Love Island USA Season 7 on Peacock.