{"id":87177,"date":"2025-08-16T12:11:07","date_gmt":"2025-08-16T12:11:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/87177\/"},"modified":"2025-08-16T12:11:07","modified_gmt":"2025-08-16T12:11:07","slug":"people-are-stunned-by-this-love-island-stars-resemblance-to-barbie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/87177\/","title":{"rendered":"People Are Stunned By This ‘Love Island’ Star\u2019s Resemblance to Barbie"},"content":{"rendered":"

Season seven of Love Island USA<\/a> may have finished airing a month ago, but the hit reality show has yet to lose its grip on fans, especially with the reunion just a few days away. But nothing has made greater noise than the flawless looks runner-up Olandria Carthen<\/a> has showcased during her various press appearances. So stunning that fans and casual observers alike are calling Carthen the \u201cBama Barbie\u201d thanks to her astonishing resemblance to the actual Mattel doll, and naturally, because of her roots in Decatur, Alabama.<\/p>\n

Social media couldn\u2019t get enough of the beauty moments crafted by Esther Edeme, aka Painted by Esther<\/a>, whose expert blush placement and audacious use of bold, vibrant colors on dark skin, the makeup artist\u2019s signature that has become recognizable upon first glance.<\/p>\n

The first look done that made waves featured the 27-year-old wearing a sleek half-up half-down hairstyle, cheeks brushed with a soft fuchsia blush, a subtle nose highlight mirroring the shimmer in her inner-eye corners, and boldly separated lower-lash clusters for a fluttery finish. Carthen\u2019s glam, paired with a lime green, high-neck, mini dress\u2014styled by Matthew Reisman<\/a> and Reginald Reisman<\/a>\u2014carries strikingly similar vibes as the special-edition Lemon Lime Sorbet Barbie released in 1998<\/a>\u2014a rare find that seems to be exclusively available on specialty sites for collectors<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In another interview, on the same day, with the TODAY Show<\/a>, fans couldn\u2019t help but compare Carthen\u2019s look to the iconic Barbie logo of the doll\u2019s silhouetted high ponytail, ends slightly curled, and the side-swept bangs. <\/p>\n

And Carthen every facial feature signature to the Barbie doll: high cheekbones, a slightly upturned nose, almond eyes, and a cupid\u2019s bow. The combination of her doll-like features with the makeup style of Edeme created a match made in beauty heaven with fans now \u201cobsessed with this duo,\u201d as one commenter wrote on Instagram. <\/p>\n

Sporting a retro baby blue and white romper\u2014the barbie pony still in tact\u2014a glamour moment channeling (though not a Barbie doll, but a doll nonetheless) the 1960s Vintage Ideal Tammy Barbie Doll<\/a>. Carthen\u2019s team are playing up the doll imagery, and rightfully so, the public is latching onto it. <\/p>\n

\"NEWNEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 14: Olandria Carthen is seen on August 14, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by XNY\/Star Max\/GC Images) XNY\/Star Max\/GC Images <\/p>\n

On Edeme\u2019s Instagram post promoting the look, commenters can be found writing, \u201cI hope y\u2019all never part ways because y\u2019all were made for each other!\u201d and others saying, \u201cWhat a partnership!\u201d And a partnership it\u2019s been. The duo came together almost instantly: Edeme announcing on July 16<\/a>, Olandria followed her on Instagram, and Carthen responding<\/a>, \u2018Let\u2019s work, sista.\u2019\u201d <\/p>\n

The Love Island star appeared on Watch What Happens Live<\/a>, hosted by Andy Cohen, who will also be hosting this year\u2019s Love Island reunion\u2014clearly, the budget has increased\u2014with another staggering beauty look painted by Edeme\u2019s hands. It\u2019s a more sultry, bronzed look of black eyeshadow balanced by the vibrancy of Carthen\u2019s blush. <\/p>\n

The makeup artist even shared behind-the-scenes photos<\/a> from Season 7, dubbing Carthen a \u201cVintage Versace Bama Barbie\u201d as she stunned in a 1993 Versus by Gianni Versace <\/a>look. \u201cMy doll face,\u201d she wrote in a post to X<\/a>, \u201cI\u2019ve had a ball glamming her.\u201d The comments were littered with netizens requesting an Olandria Barbie doll be made and others stating Carthen was \u201cthe most beautiful woman [they] have ever seen.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"NEWNEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 13: Olandria Carthen is seen on August 13, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by XNY\/Star Max\/GC Images) XNY\/Star Max\/GC Images <\/p>\n

In a testament to her appeal, producers and casting directors of the show had the impeccable foresight of Carthen\u2019s potential and handpicked her to come on the show, not once, or twice, but three times. In an interview on the podcast Sorry We\u2019re Cyrus<\/a>, the breakout reality star revealed \u201cthey\u2019ve [Love Island USA] been reaching out to me since 2023.\u201d It took a lot of convincing, prayer, and even \u201casking Mama\u201d for permission, according to Carthen, before she finally accepted a slot in the show\u2019s cast for its seventh season. <\/p>\n

And it was a tumultuous journey for her nonetheless. Her experience was riddled with seemingly unreciprocated romantic connections with fellow islanders, a (false) dumping from Casa Amor, and then another very real potential permanent dumping from the show, and despite it all, she came out on top. <\/p>\n

Carthen\u2019s social media<\/a> presence skyrocketed from 13,000 followers pre-villa to two million and counting on Instagram alone. The star\u2019s poise, immaculate posture<\/a>, levelheadedness, funny one-liners<\/a>, and elite challenge prowess (thank you, episode 15) will be what fans remember her for in the Love Island universe.<\/p>\n

For fans who can\u2019t get enough of Love Island USA, the \u201clast dance\u201d is set to be released on Peacock on August 25, at 9 P.M. EST. I, for one, can\u2019t wait to see all the couples, especially the season\u2019s winners, Amaya Espinal<\/a> and Bryan Arenales<\/a>, and the runners-up, including Nicolas Vansteenberghe<\/a> and Carthan herself\u2014and, of course, that unmistakable doll face.<\/p>\n