Olandria’s Love Island Journey: Faith, Finding Nic & Life After the Villa

Hey guys, just wanted to give you a little update and let you guys know that Brandi is still working her booty off DJing her little heart out and I have the opportunity to have our next guest which I'm so excited on Alandria from Love Island who I'm sure you guys all know and this was um the week that she could actually be available Because she just is getting off the show and so I just thought I'd give it a go on my own solo so I'm stepping up and I'm gonna take Brandi's hosting duties over and talk to Alandria you guys are gonna love her I love getting to say that.

Brandy gets to do all the fun stuff. And so unless you guys have been living under a rock, you absolutely know who Alandria is. And if you have been, she's actually been on this last season of Love Island. And so welcome to the show.

Thank you for having me. I'm excited to be here.

I'm so excited for you to be here. And now everything, like I just started out on TikTok and I'm a TikToker. So I've been seeing all the clips and all, like saw you on Kiki, who I love, and just been watching all the things

and you are just so cute. And like, I feel like you are one of those people right now that people are just so obsessed with. Like, and because I'd really do like, just see all the comments, all are so positive about, and I'm gonna be honest I haven't seen this season of Love, Ellen yet I've just seen all the clips but I feel like

everybody really just loved who you are on the show so and that's that's not always easy to do so yeah and so fellow Southern girl yeah Alabama homegrown homegrown you're from Decatur yeah, I know people from Decatur. Oh, yes. And I'm from Eastern Kentucky, but then moved to Nashville.

Okay. Yeah, Nashville's right there by Decatur.

So close. Yeah. I'm going to be professional and use my questions. So if you hate any of them, it's Kelsey. How does, and I love this question because I get asked this a lot. How does Alabama, Alandria, compared to L.A., Alandria?

Ooh, let's see. Alabama, Alandria. Less glamorous, I guess. You know, more down, I'm not gonna say more down to earth, because I'm down to earth regardless of where I go. I don't know, back at home, just more laid back.

I'm just more myself. I feel like in LA and in Houston, I'm more polished. I feel like I have to sit up right and be this girl that I always have to keep a great face. Back home, I get to relax. I get to just be me.

I get to be ugly. I don't know how to have all glam on. I get to just be my natural accent, I feel like I code switch a lot, you know, even in the building. I was like, okay, where's the accent at? As soon as my mom came, country as a pumpkin. Like a country pumpkin came out.

I'm just like, oh God, my mask fell. Like- Girl, Molly literally will be around me for an hour and she's like, mom, like I hate,. It just comes out. Yeah. But I've actually when I first moved to LA, like everybody would be like, where is your accent from? And like, look at me like so insane. Yeah. And so I would try that too is like I would try to talk all proper and my kids were like, Mom, no, like, don't do that. That does not sound right.

That's so funny. I finally I just embraced it. Yeah, I need to do that. You do. And honestly, I've found, because I was always very paranoid about it. Like, oh my gosh, because people would look at me like I was so country. But I found now that people really do love it.

Yeah. And it just makes us who we are. Oh, for sure. You know? I embrace mine a lot more. Yeah. Like in the villa, people probably looked at me like, I don't know, when you think of like a country accent in Southernville, you don't really think of people as like, I guess, bright.

People always underestimate us because we're the country. I'm like, oh, I'm educated too.

Oh, it's like always.

Yeah.

I was going to say that. And then I didn't. I feel like people look at me like I'm not smart. Yeah, same. No, same. Totally. But now I'm just like, okay, I got to let it go. And I have, and it's been honestly only the last probably few years that I've really been

comfortable in it.

I need to do that immediately.

Can you talk a little bit about how you feel growing up Southern shaped you? Like made you just who up Southern shaped you. Mm-hmm. Like, made you, you know, just who you are.

Yeah. Um, growing up in the country, I just truly feel like, I don't know, I just feel like people that come from the South, come from the countryside, are more down to earth. I feel like I meet people where they are. Never really looked down on people ever.

Um, always allow myself to be in someone else's shoes and see things from their perspective and just respect it however they moved. I don't know, I just feel like being from the countryside truly made me value and have morals. Versus the city people, not to be shady.

No, I know.

Because just being raised in Alabama and moving to Houston right after I graduated, I'm just like, oh my gosh, I'm so much different from the city girls. Like they just, I just don't get it. The way they live, I don't get it. Maybe the way I live, they just don't get it. But it's like, I don't know. It's like I have morals, I have all these beautiful things.

And it's like, their life is way more faster. They kind of take more pride into like materialistic things. I was like, okay, I appreciate the smaller things actually. like opening my car door. Like being a gentleman, they don't really care about me, things like that. It's like, as long as you have the funds, that's what gets them, you know, going. It's like, that doesn't really work for me.

You know, small town country girl, open my door, buy me a flower or two, you know. Stand on the right side of the street, you know. I just value things such as things like that. me that type of woman, you know? One million percent. I am the exact same way.

And I do feel like, and honestly, that's probably why you stood out on the show in so many ways and how people really connected to you. Like how you treated other people. And because I get that a lot.

Yeah.

You know, especially because when I first moved out here, too, like it was really hard for me to make friends. And like I just didn't love all the same things that the people I met here were doing. Right. So, but I'm so, like I talk about it all the time, like I'm so glad I was raised in the

South. Yeah. There just is something special about, and I feel like that never leaves you. Right. Like for me, I feel like I'm the exact same person. Not like, of course, I think I've grown a lot. Like once I had to move out here and I started managing Molly,

you know, I was pretty young. Yeah. And so I think I grew in those ways.

But like at my core, I think I'm the exact same person. Same. Literally. Yeah. I know. And keep that, I mean, honestly, I think it's what makes you really special. No, for sure. And the other thing we relate to is, like, I am so close to my girls. And I saw that you brought your mom on the show.

Yeah.

And how was that? That was my girl. Just seeing my mom, honestly, all my walls dropped immediately. The accent came out. I was just so down in the dumps. I felt drained on the show, you know?

Just emotionally, physically, spiritually drained. So seeing my mom, someone I know that supported me and going hard for me behind the scenes, I'm just like, ugh, I can breathe. Ugh, I can be myself. Absolutely.

Accent came out immediately. I was, you know, I was all giggly and bubbly.

Like, she truly brightens up my day. Yeah. That's how I'm with my girls. Like, they're my best friends now that they're older. And I feel like even Molly was on the show about probably a month ago. And a lot of the fans were saying, oh my gosh, this is the most we've seen Molly just be Molly and so on,

because she's with her mom and sister. And her accent was rolling.

I love it. I love it. I love it too, because she does,

she has more of an accent I think than any of my kids. It's so funny that her and ours together so much.

Yeah.

Like it just wears off on her.

Aw.

And did your mom like being on the show?

Oh, she was so paranoid. She was like, oh, I'm just not photogenic. I'm a girl. I have cameras on me all day, every day. So I'm in the building not even knowing if the angles look good. I'm like, I don't even know if I even, you know, you can't think about things like that. You just gotta just be in the moment.

So once she just, once we started talking and she just forgot about the cameras and it was just me and her, you know? I think I mean, it still freaks me out. Like I don't love being on camera for all those reasons. Yeah.

But you do get used to it.

You do. And I just thought you guys were so cute together. Yeah. And her body is like popping. She's having fun. That's my girl.

Girls can be. That's my girl. And so, your questions are so funny. Okay, do you have a favorite southern food country? Bride state? country? Bride? Say I love country. Bride state? Yeah. And or a favorite southern saying? I don't know. You know what? I don't know if I have one either. I don't know. And yeah. So do you feel

like your southern charm spiced up the villa? Like, did people treat you differently? Were you the only Southern girl on?

From the South? When I think of the South, South, I think of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee. Things like that.

Kentucky.

Sure, you know what, yes. I'm from Eastern Kentucky. Sure, Kentucky. So I'm gonna say like the Deep South, like yes. Yeah. Wow.

Yeah, yeah, the only one. It's so funny because when I watched episode one back of the show and I just heard myself like, ew, I am that country. It was

so bad. It was so bad. I can. I mean, I like listen to myself. It scares me. But then I'm just like, I don't even care anymore. But I'm old. It took me a long time to get here. We just had the longest day of podcasting. It was such a long day. It was really, really fun, but now I'm just feeling like I need to rest and just chill. And one of my favorite things lately that has really been helping me, not only with physical wellness, but also mental wellness, is the CBD gummies from Cornbread Hemp.

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And I promise you, if you wanna chill, relax, feel a little bit less stress, these gummies are honestly just a game changer. How does this happen? Like, how did you actually come to be on the show? Like, do you audition or how does that work?

Exactly. Well, especially for me, they've actually been reaching out to me since 2023. Wow. So it's 2023, 2024, 2025, so like three years, like consecutive years. And I was like, you know what?

I was at a rough spot with my job. I was like, you know what, I'm stressed, I'm depressed all the time, I don't have kids, I don't even have pets, but it's like, why am I even putting myself through this? I was like, you. I was tunnel vision.

You know, because growing up with a single parent household, I was always so focused, always super, super scared to fail. So I was like, you know what, I have a great job, I have a college degree, let me just stick to this route. I know I will always be safe.

And just knowing that potentially stepping out on a show potentially make me lose my job, because sometimes it doesn't always align. Because dating shows are tricky, you know, with the spicy challenges and the clips. And it was very big this year. So I'm like, thank God I had a great office and my manager was very like, okay with me going and very supportive of it.

But I knew like stepping out on faith and doing that, I could possibly like, it can change my whole life.

Completely.

So thank goodness I did it. I prayed to God about it. I was like, you know what God, if it's for me to do this next year, which is 2025, put it back on my list and I keep my summer plans open. I'm not planning anything. Cause last year they called me to fly out, but I was in Thailand to celebrate my birthday.

So this year I was like, you know what, I'm doing it. I'm taking this risk. Seeing what happens for me, I'm just gonna keep God first and just see if it's gonna change my life for the better. Thank goodness I did it, because look at me now.

Totally. That was another thing. I was wondering if your faith had really played into that, because us Southern girls, we love God. 100%. And, like, we let him guide us in so many ways. And so I was wondering if, like, how you even made the decision to do that. And it sounds like that's how.

Yeah. Prayed about it. I even asked my mom for permission. Mind you, I'm 27 years old. Like, that's how, I'm such a, like, when it comes to me making decisions, I'm always trying to see, like, how it affects everyone around me, like my parents, my siblings. I'm always putting their feelings and their thoughts before mine.

So before I even decided to say yes to the show, like, mom, what do you think? I was like, here's the bright side, but obviously some negative connotations that goes along with it if it doesn't go right. But she was like, I believe in you.

The woman that I raised, I know, Sam, you know, but outside of that, remember who you are and who I raised you to be. And I took that with me and I just prayed on it. And yeah, wow, I'm just gonna be sitting up pretty good here soon. It's pretty amazing that you were going through like the stress and kind of depression and and everything, and this just kept coming into your life. And it now, of course, like, it went so well. It's definitely life-changing in such a positive way. It's amazing. I love that.

Yeah, that's really awesome.

Had you watched older seasons of Love Island?

I only got a chance to watch season six. And, um, yeah, even with me watching, I'm like, ugh, can you really see yourself going there doing that? So I have to tell my mom, like, watch a few episodes and see, like, if you could see your daughter be on that show. Obviously, my mom and dad wasn't a big fame.

He was like, really, a dating show? Like, really? But now he's like, I'm so proud of you I did it because it tested me in so many ways. I'm sure um, but yeah

It's funny. My husband his niece was on Love Island, Australia. No way

She was that's awesome Like I was watching her on it and I was like, I can't even imagine I would be so nervous It would be so crazy I always wonder how people make decisions to go on the dating shows. And if you're, you know, I feel like some people are truly looking for love and probably some aren't.

Like, did you feel like you really were going there to see if you found your person?

100%, this is why I probably got so, like not so hurt during the season, but like I've been prior to the show, I was single for five years. I only had one boyfriend. I had my first boyfriend in college. And that's the, like me being the intentional person that I am, I always say I date to marry. I'm a very intentional person.

Wasn't having much luck in Houston. City boys are just not my thing. They just, I don't know what I need from a man they just don't have for me. I came across I'm not gonna write them all off. Well, yes and like man. Yes. That's what you're gonna marry You know, yeah in my generation shivery seem like it's dead I need someone like to open doors get me flowers like do manly things totally. Yeah, also lead

How can I be submissive to that? So God is not doing those things totally So yes, I was truly going on love Island took love silly. Yes, yes. You really went on a date show and really found love? Well, yes, I did. You know what I mean?

Totally, yeah.

So, yes, I really was shocked.

Oh, I believe that that's totally possible because, I mean, we've seen it happen, you know, so many times on shows like this. And, I mean, honestly, it seems like a great way to actually meet someone and be able to spend enough time with them to actually know their values and know who they are. Exactly, exactly. Were you really nervous? Like, what was it like when you first walked into the villa for the first time?

Was it?

It was a mixture of like excitement, nervousness, because you don't even know how the guys are going to look. Not saying it looks are everything. No, I saw you all saying that. You know, like it better be you. You know, I'm kind of looks like not everything, but I have to enjoy looking at you too.

What sign are you?

Are you a Gemini?

I thought she was a Taurus for sure.

I'm a Gemini.

Are you late May?

Yeah, May 29th.

Oh, you're so on the cast. She has a lot of Taurus. She does, my daughter Brandy's a Gemini that she's later to. Like, I just feel like so many things you're saying is such a Taurus thing. So did you bond with everyone in the villa?

Like, and did you make like real friendships? I did. I bonded with everybody. Like literally people will tell you, like I'm watching the old podcast back when people that got dumped from the island early.

They will literally say I'm the heart of the villa, the mom of the villa, the therapist. Like, because I'm a big sister. I'm a big sis of six. Um, so it was like, I always take people under my wing. Are you really? Yeah. I'm always taking people under my wing. Even when people are feeling left out or feeling alone,

like, I'm always that person that's going up to them, making them feel seen for the first time. because I saw he was like kind of like, I don't know, I guess I left out from the group activities with the guys. I'm like, you know what, I see you, what's your story? Like, you know, we just bonded off of that. And I will check, do mental check-ins with them every day. And we just built this great bond.

So I was really like that with everybody. That's amazing. I feel like we have maybe that's just from being southern and yeah, everybody knows everybody right? It's just a thing I love it. Is there anything that you would change about the experience? I wish I was more selfish in the beginning I was always even when it came like I said prior to coming on the show

I will always before I make a decision always think about how would it affect everyone around me? Parents siblings aunts uncles grandparents. grandparents, you know what I mean? Never really thought for myself. So even coming to the villa, I was like, you know what, I'm gonna be open-minded, I'm gonna be this, I'm gonna be that.

And it's like, I forgot to be selfish in the beginning. I decided to be selfish the last week. And I'm not gonna so hard it is hard and cuz my mom was always like that as well Like just teaching me to put you know, other people's feelings I think you that kind of before yours and I think I've always done that too and I really think it just like recently I've kind of learned that sometimes you do have to look out for yourself

You do because no one else is gonna look I know I, for years, just did not comprehend that. Yeah.

But now, as an old lady, I... Yeah. Better late than never, though. Exactly. So, were there any moments the cameras didn't show that you would have loved for the audience to see

and their perspective on it?

Yeah. I actually have personality. I'm more than just a therapist. I'm more than just this stern woman, you know, that knows what she wants. I'm actually funny too. Like, I wish they would have showed more of my personality

because I would like to think that I'm a well-rounded individual and I truly wish the world got to see that.

Oh, wow. Yeah. I mean, cause you seem so chill and just-

Yeah, exactly. And everyone thinks I'm just this strict woman that knows what she wants. I'm like, okay, yes, that too. But I also, I do like to giggle. I do like to laugh. I do like to... Totally. I do have those qualities too. I wish y'all got to see that.

But I also think probably, I don't know how much, how many girls were much younger. But I know on a lot of the shows, like Dom's niece, very young. And at 27, I feel like you're starting to grow into who you are. You kind of know more who you are and what you want and your values and all of that.

So I'm sure that came into play a lot. Yeah, for sure. It's kind of funny because even when I was in my early 20s, I've always felt like I knew what I wanted. Truly, being the oldest of six, I truly feel like being the big sister, it just, my experiences, my childhood experiences matured me overly young. So I was always mature for my age, always.

It's just like, I'm just 27 now. But the same things that I wanted at 27, I think I definitely wanted at 20, 21.

Wow, that's amazing.

Yeah. Always there with intention always always always which is why I waited so long I'm a boyfriend. I was like, you know what high school. I'm okay. That's a main. I was a teen mom My parents had me in the 10th grade. So I grew up with my parents Yeah, my parents are 43 years old Wow, and I'm three years away from being 30. So who now are your mom still lives in Alabama, right? Yes, both of my parents do. Oh, they both do. And then you were already away from your mom in Houston, right?

Mm-hmm. And living in Houston.

Yeah. So, okay. So, I was, because I was going to say, I was wondering how she was feeling about all this and you leaving home, but you already did that. Yeah, I already did that. your time on the show? Uh, building my relationship with Shelly, my soul sister. She's cute.

She's so cute.

I love her so much. You all seem to have a great relationship. Yeah. An amazing relationship.

She's my girl. Yeah, that's amazing.

So you guys will be friends forever? Oh, for sure. She is not going to get rid of me.

Aw, that's amazing. Yeah, I'm definitely need a friend like that. Cause it seems like, I mean, what we see is all the fun and games and all the things, but I'm sure like being there as long as you are

and it has to be exhausting.

Oh, it was.

Mentally, physically, all of it. Yeah, we both just decided, like, you know, confided in each other. We literally walked into the villa together. Wow. Literally. The first island is there. It's for the first two. That's crazy. That was my girl through and through.

And where's Shelly from?

She is originally from Miami. And she is? Yes, I want to say.

Yeah.

But she spent some time in New York as well.

So how is it now, like, reentering the real world post-show?

Is it tough? Oh, it's so tough. Like, literally, I went into the villa, mind you, I wasn't a big content creator or anything like that. I literally worked in the elevator industry as a normal woman with a college degree, a normal nine to five, 13K followers on Instagram.

And I literally came out of the villa with a million followers.

Wow.

Literally, my face is plastered everywhere. I cannot even get this social media. Yeah, you're everywhere girl. I cannot get this social media without seeing me. So I'm just like, okay, how do I deal with this new reality? Small town girl from Alabama,

literally like, you know, the first time I felt like I'm gonna go to college and all these things, How do I navigate this craziness, you know? So at first I was overwhelmed. You might have seen me in the few days after the show, we went to Disneyland. I was like, I didn't even realize I had social anxiety until after the villa.

And I'm like, this is crazy. I was thinking to myself, like, Alandria, your life would never go back to being the same. This is your new reality. Figure it out. You gotta learn how to navigate that and just make peace with it. Totally. Honestly, I remember when that happened with Molly.

We were actually at Universal. Which is just really close. And I think Anna Montana had like aired like two days before. And we were just like normal people waiting in line for the roller coaster. And the roller coaster comes in and all the kids on the Roller coaster started screaming. Oh, it would have been one though. We were all like

And it was like after that I was like, oh boy, yeah, they're changing. Yeah So it's gonna be so different Um, were you scared of how your family or friends would react to anything that they saw on the show?

I'm sure that, yeah.

Even though like outside of challenges, I held my own. I always remember my core values and who I was as a woman. But like, obviously in those challenges, I'm like, okay, did I take it too far? Did I do too much? So that's one of the first things that I asked my mom,

like, is the family proud of me? Are you proud of me? Are you proud of me? She's like, baby, everyone's so proud of you. I always value the opinions of my family because I hold them near and dear to my heart. Literally, they hold me on such a high pedestal as a kid. I was an honor roll student, was the best of the best all the time.

So it's like, me doing the show was so like, out of the ordinary for me because I was so like, I walked a straight line when it came to it, you know? So this is the first time that I ever just stepped out of my comfort zone and do something that I wanted to do, even though it was like kind of uncomfortable for me. Yeah. But yeah, so I was so scared to see

what they were going to think, but they were so proud of me. Yeah, because I feel like when I watch those shows, so many of the girls already are trying to be influencers and don't have normal jobs and you know, I was a normal girl. And you were just like living life in Houston, working. And I think that's amazing.

Yeah.

I keep, so cool. And because when you were coming from that place, you're doing it for all the right reasons, you know? So wow.

Agreed.

I guess the biggest culture shock leaving the villa was that you are very famous.

Yes, yes. I never, it's so crazy because even when I started my job three years ago, I would always joke with my coworkers, like, I'm not gonna be here long, I'm gonna be famous. Like, I'm gonna be famous. And they're all just like, oh, what you gonna do, OnlyFans?

And you're like, fucking men. You know, I'm like, well, no, but I'm to be famous. And they'll be like, well, famous what? I'm like, because I'm pretty. They'll be like, oh, you're joking. You're kind of known that since you were little. Literally, I wanted to always be a model as a kid. I was so obsessed with Tyra Banks, so obsessed with Naomi Campbell. Used to watch Next Top Model all the freaking time.

Between that and Disney Channel, like I will flip the channels back and forth, like flip it back to the other one. But going to the mirror, like, smize at myself, like, you know, smile with my eyes and like practice my face. And obviously my mom raising three beautiful young girls, she didn't have the funds to put me through like a modeling agency and things like that. So it was like, you know what, put that on the back burner.

My mama always pushed education. So I was like, you know what, I'm gonna go to model. I don't know, you know, so as a kid, I kind of lost sight of it, because being from a small town in Alabama, like what connections do you have as far as like modeling? So for a moment, for a minute, there was like a distant memory for me.

So after college, you know, I went to the elevator industry, ended up doing that for three years, but I would literally be on the team's call, you're not supposed to be here, Alayna. Literally, like a glam shot. I'm like, girl, this is, selling elevator parts, this is cool, but like, this is not your reality. Like, it has to be something bigger than this.

So in Love, All In Call this year, I'm like, you know what? I'm scared, but I'm taking it. Wow. Thank goodness I did, because I think I'm finally in my mind when they were. I'm a little on my way. Super excited about it. That's the thing about those shows is they really do, like people, you become famous overnight. I mean, it's really crazy.

Brandy and I talk about it a lot.

Really?

Yeah, I mean, just like people,

like they feel like they know you.

Yes.

It's very like kind of with Miley, like even from Hannah Montana, they felt like they knew her. And when people do that, I mean, you just get fans forever. Yeah. I love that, though. Really do. It's amazing. And with those shows, it just blows you up so fast. It's awesome. Agreed.

And so, did you and Nick watch this season back together?

Ugh. No.

No? I wouldn't even...

I'm kind of... I don't really want to, if I'm being honest. It's like, I kind of know what happened. I don't want no show or no episodes telling me what happened. Like, no, that didn't quite happen like that. You know? I don't want to like my perception. I'm good with the perception I have of the show.

I truly feel like me watching that show back is just gonna,

I don't know.

It would freak me out. Yeah. And I already hate even looking at videos of me just talking, like, ew. I watched the first episode, I'm like, ew. This is so cringy. What is this? But I do need to watch at least a few episodes before the reunion.

Oh, that's right.

Yeah.

Yeah, so...

That's true. It would be hard to watch back, I think. Really hard. Just because I feel like things happen a certain way, and then the producers produce it a different way and like you're just probably like a wait that actually didn't happen quite like that but that would be hard for me yeah and and I don't know if you can talk about

this but has your family met Nick yet yes my mom well my mom has but she came the family day yeah she met Nick and his mom and his sister and if she she loves him literally every time she calls me where's my son-in-law at? I'm like, oh, too soon, too soon, but he's right here.

That's so nice.

Yeah, she really, really likes Nick. And it's crazy because no guy has ever met my mom. Even the guy I've been with three years, never met my mom. So Nick is the first guy to ever met my mom. Oh, and that's so good she likes him. She likes him. Because I'm like, I know with Molly, like it's so important that, you know,

and I was the same thing with my mom. Yeah. My mom had to love my boys, you know?

I mean, I just trusted my mom so much. Exactly. And respected her opinions so much. I love this question for you, because now that I know that you're meant to be like, famous and a model, what is your 2025 pinch me career goal?

Career goal, let me see. Definitely something with modeling. I don't know. I need to have a breakthrough with that. I would love to meet Naomi Campbell for sure. For sure, that's my girl.

She's so beautiful.

She is absolutely stunning. Molly just did a video with her.

Aww.

And it's called Every Girl You've Ever Loved. Yeah. And it's her and Naomi.

I love it.

And Molly just said she was the greatest person ever. Yeah. Just fell in love with her.

She's so pretty. She's stunning. Literally, I probably would freeze if she's ever in her presence.

I'm like, girl.

Not even kidding. She does not age. She is absolutely sheer perfection. Yeah. It's crazy. But yeah, so do you think like, do you like modeling or acting or?

Oh, according to Twitter, I'm such a bad actor, actress. I cannot act to save my life. I would definitely have to get in some class

Yeah, modeling something I really want to do I love I just want to fulfill that something I've wanted since I was young so

Being able to do that now and with the big platform that I have it's only right that I try to take that and now's the Time yeah sure really smoking hot Cuz you're everywhere so I feel like any agency's gonna look at you right now. No, for sure.

Because it's also a tough business.

Yeah.

So did you and Nick have an instant connection?

All right.

So night one, I did kiss him. Attraction was there. I love what I saw physically. And night two, apparently he kissed me. I didn't know that till like the very last week.

Okay.

Yes, so I would like to say instant connection. If I feel like it was instant, we would have coupled up sooner. But attraction was there on both sides. But me being from the deep, deep South and being from Alabama with very traditional values.

Yes. and being from Alabama with very traditional values. And if you get what I mean. Although I liked what I saw, I didn't really know if Nick liked what he saw. You get what I'm saying? And some guys that don't look like me, they don't mind being physical with you,

but actually valuing you as a woman, actually taking it to the next level and being in a relationship with you and marrying you is something totally different. So dating outside of my race have always scared me because it's like, am I a fetish to you?

Are you fetishizing me? Like, I never know, you know what I mean? Yeah, I would've never- I'm so like finicky when it comes to that. So it's like, you know what? Let me see if you truly value me.

Show me that you really want to be with somebody like me. I knew he would always pick me for challenges. Any chance Nick ever got to kiss me, he took that chance. But then it played into the physical part. Do you just physically get in tune with me? Or do you really want to get in? The whole time he was studying me from afar. Watching the small clips back of him yearning for me.

I was like, oh, I wish I would have seen this in the villa. You know what I mean? And you don't get to I felt literally like coming out of the villa and seeing those clips and seeing people didn't be like, well, Andrew, wake up. Like your man is right there. I'm like, I did not see this.

I don't know how it's like watching the clips. It looks like it's so obvious. I don't know. I guess I was in La La Land in the villa, but he did it from afar. to someone else, he's staring at me, studying me, or having side conversations like, what is Alandra like? Like, trying to figure me out. So, it's like, I'm not physically or apparent, like, I'm not there to hear that stuff.

You know? But just watching it back now, I was like, dang, this man truly studied me, studied me until he was ready for me. He knew he had to put on his big boy britches He is the grown man that I needed him to be. And I feel like with the other guys, I intimidated them because I knew what I wanted. I was very stern.

I would think you would be intimidating to a lot of guys.

Yeah, to a lot of them. And he was the only one that was willing to step up to the plate. But he stepped up once he was ready. Because in the beginning, I truly feel like if we would have coupled up early on, Like, he is just too jealous for me. So I think our story played out the way it should've. He, you know, watched me for weeks, learned what I like, matured within those few weeks,

and became the man that I needed him to be to, you know, to make this thing work. Totally.

Yeah. Very similar to my husband now. He always says he didn't grow up until he met me. And that was only like four years ago. So... And that was like four years ago. But yeah, and even with my husband, like I was shocked at like, he never text me. He always called me.

And I was always like, my God, Dom's calling. And I would be like, so weirded out by it. And be like, that's what people are supposed to do.

Right, that's old school.

Really?

Yeah. Like, I was like, I figured you just text. Yeah. No, he was like, that's rude. Like I'm Respectful like that and I loved it. Yeah, because I'd never really encountered that. Mm-hmm. No Those things are so important. Yeah, and Would you ever do another reality show? Not date not a dating on a dating no, yeah, that was a lot it seems like a

Mm-hmm. How are you there? Like how many I Not a dating one. No. Yeah. That was a lot. It seems like a lot.

How long were you there? Like how many?

I left my place May 12th. Two months, but I was on the show, I think five to six weeks. Wow. So imagine like being disconnected from the world, your family, your friends, you don't know nothing.

We didn't even know how big the show was. We didn't know anything. Nickelandria was a thing since day two and I never freaking knew. I never knew.

I am cracking up.

Nickelandria, I love it.

That is so crazy, because you don't have your phone. And then, like, you don't, that's just, that is so crazy. Like, how does anyone end up coupling it? I'm like, I would be so insecure. That's, I'm so insecure.

You literally only have people's like word, like whatever they tell you, you just have to believe what they tell you. Because what else do you have? You have no resources. You don't see their confessional tapes.

You don't hear side conversations that they have in private with other Islanders. It's like, whatever they tell you to your face is all you have to go off of. And that was me. So watching the shit back, I'm like, oh, well I didn't know you felt that way. You know what I mean?

So it's just like, oh, I feel stupid.

Oh my gosh.

But it's like, while you're there, you don't know these things. to watch the confession tapes. They get to see those side conversations. But then you get on the internet and like, oh, she's so dumb. She's this and she's that. I'm like, well, if I knew what you knew, you think I would really be putting myself through this shit?

Like, come on.

That's crazy.

Let's think for a second.

Exactly.

Is this thing on? Come on. I knew who I was before that show. So yeah, yeah, but just putting that out there. I can't believe I cannot believe you all survive without your phones Especially I can't believe I survived without my phone

Be so weird

That I mean, I love it. But the the peace of mind that it brought is like dang. Do I even need a phone anymore? Molly just said you know just went to Hawaii and she said I ended up not going I was supposed to go and didn't go but she said before she left She called me. She said hey mama. I just want to tell you I'm going on digital detox For like this next 10 days. Yeah me on somebody else's phone. Yeah me And she said it was wonderful. Yeah that she was like I did not look at my phone for 10 days and it was amazing Yeah, that's how we felt five, six weeks,

not having any pressure from the public. Totally. Outside opinions don't matter, it's just your opinion and your thoughts, that's it. And it was honestly the most at peace I've been. Even with the drama going on in the villa,

I truly value how at peace I was at the same time. Wow.

Just me and my thoughts.

That's awesome.

Literally. And can you see yourself living in LA?

Well, yeah now it makes sense business wise. I do plan to live to move here within the next month or two

He's from Miami. Yeah, but he does live here. Mm-hmm

So you've been here quite a bit lately. Yeah, like it. I like it I visited for the first time in 2020 and I hated it. It was during COVID, strict laws. I'm like, oh my God, do people have fun here? Like what? Actually, LA is a little weird. I personally am not going out on the town, but from what I hear, like LA is kind of hard. Like it's not a big, I don't think it's a big party,

like stay out till- It's like you have to truly know people. Private part is what is big here. That's what I've heard. Like clubs and stuff, like it's so different here. It's not what people think. And I do find it like, like my daughter Brandy, she had a really hard time making friends here, like really hard time. And she moved back to Nashville. But I personally like love LA. And as a Southern girl that loves the Lord, you can still be fun, have fun in LA and love LA and everything about it. Um, so yeah, it's, I love it. I

can never imagine living anywhere else now. Oh wow. Yeah. I feel that way once I move on. It's the weather too. It just makes you happy. Yeah. Like, you know, like it's never like the South and especially like Nashville gets so much rain and all that in LA is just always sunny and happy. Yeah, I love it. I love it too. And like with what you want to do, it's the place to be for sure. No, for sure. It makes the most sense. It does. Um, okay. So we're going to play something

called the boring game. And it used to be much more fun. It was called truth or toke, because I used to smoke a lot of pot. And I'm not doing that anymore. So, it was... Big ups to you. Proud of you.

Thank you. This is kind of like just a speed round. Nothing deep.

What's your go-to coffee drink or order?

I don't even drink coffee. I'm a hot chocolate girl. I put that in a mug and act like it. Love it. Me too. I hate coffee. My assistant is going, they are so a lot. I do drink coffee but give me a hot chocolate any day before. What's the most used emoji in your text? Um, probably the laughing emoji. Yeah, me too.

Um, which Islander was the messiest and had the messiest room?

The messiest?

Oh, like, like dirty. Yeah.

Hmm. Probably Nick. He was always pissing on it. Apparently he was always pissing on the toilets in the bathrooms. I'm just like, yeah, we gotta fix that Who's your already know your closest friend from the island Shelley? Yeah What's Nick's worst habit and best habit worst habit not know how to aim then the toilet seat?

Is that in the toilet? You said in best habit? Yeah. Hmm The ability to make people laugh and brighten people's day, for sure. That's cute.

He's adorable.

Oh yeah.

He's really, really cute. And the one love Allen challenge that you'd never do again.

The milk challenge. Oh, what was that? So the guys would literally have to like get these cow udders and like put milk in their mouth and they'd spit it in our mouth, in the girl's mouth. And we spit it into the bucket,

and after that, we draw a question. We have a question on the bucket, and whoever we pick for the answer to be, we dump it on them. So, like, spit a bucket full of spit milk.

Yuck!

And it was real milk. We stunk so bad. That sounds horrible That feels more like what's it not sir?

Yeah

I'm like they gotta do what spit in our mouth. That sounds terrible. I hate milk. Oh my Yeah, it was have any celebs slid into your DMS or okay?

Anybody you can tell or no? No, okay

Okay, who would play you in a movie version of your love island season who play me Naomi?

Naomi of course. Yeah, Naomi

What is we already know already know this question from talking to your dream job is probably modeling Okay, most romantic thing Nick has done for you since leaving the show since leaving. It's so crazy because my Supporters have been finding my old tweets It is the weirdest thing. It was like girl the witch was a Salem witch trials was here girl You've been burned already like at the state crazy, right? Oh my gosh It is so insane how much I just spoke over my life in the past few years

and how everything is coming to fruition now. Wow. So like I always say like, oh, I wanted to go to Disneyland and all these things, like made that happen immediately. Never been to Europe. He made sure I was a part of his campaign trip He's so intentional. It is insane. That's amazing. He listens and he acts immediately.

Mind you, we've only been coupled up for like two or three weeks. And he's marked off so many things on my list already.

Oh my god.

Their first few weeks of dating each other. So I'm like, oh my goodness, no man has ever in my 27 years has shown me this much consistency and, you know, just seeing that. I just feel so seen with him, you know, it's amazing So I feel like that's rare these days Seriously, like he's only 24. Oh my gosh Wow 24 years old. That's crazy Mm-hmm. He knew I wanted to be a model

So he the first two campaigns we shot was people these work with in the past He made sure I was part of those campaigns to start to get him on foot in the door as far as modeling Okay past, he made sure I was part of those campaigns to start getting my foot in the door as far as modeling. Okay, those guys are up so much to where like, so many people was reaching out to me and like noticing me, we got like, what to vote, vote, shout outs and like teen vote. Oh my gosh, it's become so big. And like, I wouldn't have been in this position if it wasn't for this guy that was able to

like put me in this position. You know what I mean? Totally. I love it. That's amazing. And honestly, I love a man who like, wants his woman to fly and and and be you know, like, some men are so intimidated. Yeah, by strong women. Totally. Instead of being intimidated, he's like intrigued. Amazing. You're such a mystery to me. I want to find out like, figure out who you are, you know, totally. My's the same way He literally is like always pushing me to be my best self same and I just not like that was something

I was not used to same. It's it's amazing. Yeah. Okay. So with all the fame, do you like it? Is it do you find it hard and do people like your friends like do they treat you different or are they just so excited for you? Yeah, my friends are very excited. They literally was texting me right before, like, when are you going home? We miss you. Like, we just want to talk to you. I'm like, I just don't have the time of the day. Like, I'm trying to find the time.

I need to just try to find a balance between my new life and my friends and family. It is so hard. I'm so used to just being on the phone for hours when it comes to family and friends It's like now I barely have time to send a few text messages a day to them I bet you know, but they support me full wholeheartedly. They literally ran my social media accounts Fought off all the trolls they did everything literally I owe them so much

Are your friends mostly in Alabama or Houston or both? Um, both. Both. Yeah. That's awesome. That's so cool that they ran your social media. Yeah, they did. That's awesome. Honestly, though, like I was telling you before we started rolling, I just remember, Molly,

in the beginning, you know, like how busy you are. Like you honestly tell people, like I literally don't even have time to do a few texts. That is real. Yeah. Like it is so crazy when you are coming off a show like this and promoting and you have to do it while it's big and while it's out there like you have to take advantage. Drag your

feet. No, you got to take advantage of the momentum and it is like 24 7. It is hard. Mom Louie's like, when are you coming to Alabama? We just want to see you like stay for a week or two I'm like, I don't even have a few days to give you like totally and I feel so bad It's like I want to go home. I miss touching grass. I miss looking at the trees. Yep looking at the you know, the fields I don't know. I just miss even tell you when I'll be able to come to Alabama. Yeah. At all. Right now. Wow. Like my, it probably easy for her to just fly to wherever I am. Exactly. That's what I figured. My life is that busy. Totally.

Wow. Well, congratulations on everything. Thank you. I mean, I do a thing called Dear MT, Mama Tish. Aw. And the stoners, that's our listeners, the stoners will write in and ask for my advice. Okay. Or they'll call in. This was just a write in, right? Mm-hmm. Okay.

Dear MT, please help. My best friend is engaged to a man that I think is absolutely terrible for her. He doesn't do anything inherently wrong, but I just think that they are a terrible match and that if she marries him She'll regret it I do my best to express my thoughts with her and she is actually very receptive and doesn't get defensive at all Which tells me she is aware that I'm right But she has no plans of leaving him and recently set their wedding date for next summer

What do I do? Do I keep pushing her to leave him or do I have to just let her do her thing and keep my mouth shut? For contact she contacts she and I are both turning 26 and we all went to high school together. Thank you ladies I love the podcast. Oh cute. Oh anonymous, um gosh now we both have to give advice so Honestly, my advice wouldn't be you have to let her do her thing at 26. I mean like honestly I think that's really hard when you love

somebody and they're your close friend. I feel like I would want so bad to stop them from making mistakes. But even like that I had to learn with my own kids is like you have to let them grow up and make the wrong,

the right and wrong decisions. Right. So for me, I think if you push too hard, and it could really affect her relationship with her friend. And what I'll say, if it doesn't work, it doesn't work, and you guys will still be friends.

But I feel like if you push too hard, it could push her away.

Yep.

Right? I agree. will still be friends. But I feel like if you push too hard, it can push her away. Yep.

Right?

I agree.

Yeah.

Wholeheartedly.

And it seems like she's already told her how she feels and all those good things. And I'm sure if this girl being 26, deep down, she probably knows the truth. But I think that's all you can do.

Yeah. I agree. With me being the friend that always give the advice in the earlier stages I would literally force my friends to take my advice like this is what's best for you Like don't do anything else do this all the way and the more I did that the more I pushed him in the other direction Just kind of how you said it total, you know

So it's like, you know what I would drive myself crazy because they wouldn't take my advice. Like, this man is not good for you, why are you doing this, why are you doing that? But it's like, until I got to really show my own self, it's like, love is so blinding. It is. It is so, oh, it's so scary. It feels so great, but it can hurt so damn bad at the same time.

So like, with me being like a late bloomer and not getting my first boyfriend Damn, just when I was with that guy, I was with him for three years. You'd be so surprised at what all you would let slide because you love somebody so deep. And it really gave me a different outlook on how my friends deal with their past situations and in the past, it's like,

dang, I should have gave them more grace. You know, didn't give me so much grace, you know? So I've gotten to the point where I was like, I will offer my advice. It's up to you to take that advice. Totally. We're all grown as hell. Yep. It's like, you know what, if I'm gonna bump your head at 26, bump your head at 26. Totally. I'll be here to pick you up again. Exactly. And that's all it is. That's what I've learned too. Yeah. Because I was kind of anyway. But like you said, then you're there to pick them up. Exactly. So I love that. Yep. This was so fun. I loved it. I love Ray. I feel like she's my first Southern guest. I know. It's so awesome. And I cannot

wait to watch you soar because you're going to I really believe that you think I'm really excited for you I'm excited too. Yeah, that way they know what the future holds, but I'm gonna keep praying about it 27 That's so fun those years honestly 27 to like 37 were my favorite. Oh, okay. Yeah, you got 10 years everybody's going. Yeah, and okay stoners Thank you so much And if you haven't watched the seasons of Love Island,

make sure you watch. I'm actually running to my bed as soon as this is over

and starting the first episode.

You're going to be on an emotional roller coaster, girl.

Get ready. Get ready.

I can't wait to watch now. So, and Stoners, you know, we always need you to stand in your questions to sorrywerecyrus at gmail.com and we can't do the show without you and we love you and see you next week.

Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye.

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