Love Island USA's Aniya & Carl Just Revealed Their Current Relationship Status
Carniya ended Season 8 of Love Island USA on a high note, and the couple wants to keep riding that wave.
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Key Takeaways
- Carl Lee Schmidt and Aniya Harvey confirmed they are not officially boyfriend and girlfriend yet, choosing to take their relationship slowly after leaving Love Island USA.
- The couple said their connection has remained strong outside the Villa despite only having a short time together during the show, with both expressing happiness about where things are heading.
- Fans continue to follow “Carniya” after memorable Season 8 moments, including Carl comforting Aniya during Casa Amor and the pair eventually reuniting after America voted to keep Carl in the competition.
Season 8 of Love Island USA may have ended with Carl Lee Schmidt and Aniya Harvey leaving the Villa hand in hand, but fans are still eagerly following every update on where their romance stands today.
How to Watch
The Love Island USA Season 8 reunion premieres exclusively on Peacock on Monday, August 31 at 9 p.m. ET.
On the July 29 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, the Season 8 finalists reunited alongside winning couple Bryce Alakai and Trinity Tatum to reflect on one of the most talked-about seasons yet. The top two couples looked back on everything from the unforgettable highs of their Villa experience to some of Season 8's most scandalous moments, sharing behind-the-scenes scoops and laughing over fan-favorite memories.
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Carl and Aniya also took the time to answer the question that's been on viewers' minds since the Season 8 finale: where does their relationship stand now?
While Bryce and Trinity admitted that they've been inseparable since leaving Fiji as winners, Carl and Aniya explained they're continuing to explore their spark outside of the Villa and haven't put a label on anything yet.
Why Carl and Aniya aren't "officially boyfriend-girlfriend" yet after Love Island USA
Always one to get the details, Andy Cohen was eager to ask Carl and Aniya if they've started referring to each other as boyfriend or girlfriend, but the couple clarified they haven't put any official labels on their connection yet.
"We are not officially boyfriend-girlfriend yet," Carl explained, citing the couple's lack of time in the Villa. "I came in late, right? I came to Casa Amor, so we had a couple of weeks to get to know each other. I honestly feel like after two weeks, the connection has just been really strong. And we just feel really, really happy. We just want to kind of keep rolling that as long as we can."
Carl and Aniya's update made one thing clear: even after the cameras stopped rolling, Carniya's story is still unfolding. The pair is intentionally taking things slow as they adjust to life beyond the Villa. As they get to know each other outside the competition before putting a label on their relationship, the couple confirmed on WWHL that they're heading in a great direction.
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Aniya was moved after finally seeing Carl's viral "it's okay" moment on Love Island USA
"Carniya" has emerged as one of the most romantic love stories from Season 8, largely thanks to Carl's swoon-worthy journey after falling for Aniya during Casa Amor week. After Aniya tearfully returned to the Villa without Carl to prioritize her former connection, many fans were devastated, especially as Carl comforted a teary-eyed Aniya and told her it was okay during the heartbreaking decision.
Luckily, Carl and Aniya ended up together mere days later after America voted to keep Carl in the competition. When Cohen asked Aniya on WWHL if she could hear Carl comforting her during the viral scene, she admitted it was a moment of romantic retrospect after she watched the season upon her return.
"I didn't [notice at the time], but like watching you back, it honestly brought a tear to my eye," Aniya shared. "It was so sweet."
"Honestly, I forgot that I said it, too," Carl chuckled.
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If you're already missing Carniya and the rest of the Season 8 Islanders, have no fear, because we have a wave of relationship updates coming soon. Don't miss out on the Season 8 reunion of Love Island USA on Monday, August 31 at 9 p.m. ET, exclusively on Peacock.
