Draft:Nicolas Vansteenberghe

Reality Television and Public Image

Before reality TV Vansteenberghe had a high profile professional modeling career in both print and runway, he was signed to DT Model Management, Next Miami and Renew Artist Hawaii.^[12][13][14] He has had runway experiences with brands such Guess and Prada, while also being featured in editorial and digital publications for Harper's Bazaar Vietnam, The Perfect Man Magazine, GQ magazine and Vogue Magazine.^{[15][16][17][18]} Vansteenberghe appeared in numerous campaigns such as Avenue Man, Kulani Kinis, and Style+. Vansteenberghe came to national attention on May 29, 2025, when he was announced as a contestant on the seventh season of Love Island USA. He finished as a runner-up alongside fellow contestant Olandria Carthen. While on the show, Vansteenberghe’s “Mommy?Mamacita?” quote went viral, sparking thousands of online memes and reactions, and later winning the Betch of the Year Award for viral sound of the year 2025.^[19] His relationship with Carthen was also a major element of his fame, being named a cultural phenomenon by CNN and "a beloved part of reality couple history".^[20][21][22]

Post-Show Career and Modeling

After Vansteenberghe appearance on Love Island USA, he signed with CAA Speakers, which is the speaker’s bureau division of Creative Artists Agency (CAA).^[23] In October 2025, he was invited to participate in a mainstage panel sponsored by Snapchat at Advertising Week New York.^[24][25] His post-show fashion work was profiled in PAPER Magazine in September 2025, including a photo diary of his preparations for the Off-White Spring 2026 runway show at New York Fashion Week.^[26]

Vansteenberghe secured individual brand partnerships, including a curated swimwear line with Kulani Kinis, while working as a brand ambassador for Celsius, Dove Men, Strava, GoDaddy, Brooks Running , Sephora, Boxbotl and Naked Smoothie.^[27] In September 2025, he was the face of a Sweetgreen campaign that included a limited-edition “Grown Good” hat, with proceeds benefitting the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF) and raising over $15,000.^[28][29] As “Nicolandria,” he and Carthen launched joint ventures with DoorDash, Agua de Kefir, Sweetgreen to release the “Raunchy Baddie Bowl” and NYX Professional Makeup for a “Nicolandria” Lip Kit, which sold out in minutes.^{[30][31][32][33]}

In December of 2025, Vansteenberghe was a main character in the Google short film "The Naughty Lister", which also featured Ciara Miller and Nicole Byer. He also had a feature role in "Merry Kimsmas", which is a Kim Kardashian Christmas Special. Vansteenberghe was named as a participant in the 2026 NBA Ruffles All Star Celebrity Game, where he scored two (2) points.^[34][35]

Music Career

In 2026 Vansteenberghe who is known in the music industry as DJ Nic Vans ventured on sold out DJ tour across North America (United States, Canada and Mexico).^[36] He has quickly integrated himself into the electronic dance music (EDM) scene following his appearance on Love Island USA by hosting an interview with Subtronics for Billboard News.^[37] His debut track, “Mamacita,” a collaboration with Riot Ten, was released on September 2025, stemming from his viral moment on the reality show.^[38][39] He made his first public DJ appearance on August 31, 2025, at the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix,^[40] and later performed sets at major events like the Escape Halloween Festival and the Agua De Kefir Homecoming Halloween party, where he opened for Diplo.^{[41][42][43][44]} He also appeared on stage with EDM artists Subtronics and Riot Ten in August 2025 at Lost Lands.^[45][46][47] On February 26th, 2026 DJ Nic Vans released "3AM" which was a remix of the EDM single by the band Laszewo.^[48][49] The song was release through Plot Twist Records, the single was executively produced by Vans, and two other producers. The record featured a high-energy level, that matches Vans DJ style, the song peaked at No.1 on the iTunes Dance chart, less than twenty-four hours after being released. ^[48][50]

Singles

Television

Listicles