Love Island USA breakout Nic Vansteenberghe has his sights set on a new reality TV stage—this time, the ballroom. In a December cover interview for Glamour, conducted alongside partner Olandria Carthen, the charismatic islander revealed that he is manifesting his way onto Dancing With the Stars.
Vansteenberghe admitted he lacks formal dance experience but says he’s ready to train now in hopes the show comes calling. The idea, he joked, isn’t to be the best dancer—but the most improved.
“I’m going to start training soon,” he told Glamour. “The progression would be insane. I would win most improved. I just want to dance.”
Reality Stars and DWTS: A Growing Pipeline
Vansteenberghe is the latest reality figure to eye DWTS as a career pivot. The ABC ballroom series has increasingly become a launchpad for public-image refreshes, renewed relevancy, or new creative opportunities.
Recent contestants support the trend:
In 2024, former Bachelor Joey Graziadei won Season 33 with pro partner Jenna Johnson.
Former Bachelorette Charity Lawson reached the finals the year prior.
Love Island USA host Ariana Madix joined the show amid #Scandoval headlines and later starred in Chicago on Broadway.
Meanwhile, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt impressed judges so strongly that ABC aired her would-be finale routine despite her elimination—a rare move that helped secure her own Broadway contract.
These success stories illustrate why DWTS holds appeal for breakout personalities like Vansteenberghe. A buzzworthy season can open doors to theater roles, hosting gigs and acting opportunities.
Training Begins—Even Without a Casting Call
Vansteenberghe isn’t waiting to see if ABC calls. His enthusiasm, he insists, will be his biggest strength—despite losing a playful twerking battle to Carthen during Love Island.
“I’m manifesting,” he said. “I just want to dance.”
His motivation aligns with a growing cultural fascination for celebrity self-improvement arcs. Contestants with no formal training often generate the strongest engagement, as audiences track rapid progression week-to-week.
Open to Reality TV—But Not Dating Again
Though Vansteenberghe’s TV future remains fluid, he ruled out one major category: dating shows.
“I’m down for anything but a dating show,” he told Glamour.
After gaining a devoted fanbase through Love Island, Vansteenberghe and Carthen—known collectively as “Nicolandria”—have emerged as one of the year’s most-watched reality couples. Their December Glamour cover marks another step in their pop culture rise, fueled largely by fan advocacy on TikTok, X and Instagram.
Whether DWTS producers answer Vansteenberghe’s call remains uncertain, but his momentum suggests viewers may eventually see him trade the villa for the ballroom floor.
