Is Love Island USA's Nic Vansteenberghe close to D4vd? Instagram follow and photo dump sparks friendship speculations amid Celeste Rivas' death case

Love Island USA star Nic Vansteenberghe's reported breakup with fellow Season 7 islander Olandria Carthen had already shaken up Stan Twitter earlier this week, but fans have now uncovered something they believe is even more concerning, completely shifting the conversation. The 25-year-old model was spotted in a July 2025 photo dump shared by singer d4vd, who has been charged with the murder of his 14-year-old girlfriend, Celeste Rivas Hernandez.


Following his reported breakup with Olandria, fans began closely monitoring Nic's social media for clues about what might have gone wrong. That's when they noticed he was still following 21-year-old singer d4vd, who was charged with Celeste's murder in April this year, months after police found her body inside his Tesla in September 2025.

Many fans found it odd that, even if Nic had previously been acquainted with or friends with the singer, he had not distanced himself following the allegations. Notably, several of d4vd's industry peers and friends reportedly unfollowed him after Celeste Rivas Hernandez's body was found inside his Tesla last year.

As fans dug deeper, they also discovered that Nic had appeared in a photo dump on d4vd's alleged alternate Instagram account, @xtrad4vd. He wasn't just in the background of a group photo. Instead, one image featured a selfie of Nic taken at what appeared to be a party.


The discovery has convinced some fans that the two may have shared a closer friendship than previously believed. Many have since speculated that this could explain why Nic never unfollowed d4vd despite the criminal charges against the singer.

When one fan asked what Nic was doing in the photo dump, the "Romantic Homicide" singer casually replied, "he stole my phone."

The response only added to the growing backlash against Nic. One X user wrote, "Went down the rabbit hole and Nic is besties with David??? Killer David?!! Chile."

Another user pointed out, "just cuz it was before her body was found doesn't mean he wasn't in the circle of friends who knew who david was dating."

However, some fans defended Nic, with one writing, "iirc this time last year, 52 weeks ago, d4vd was at influencer parties. Only people in his close close circle knew about Celeste's age or had a clue. He had already murdered her but was going around like nothing happened. I just think you should leave that poor child out of ts."

Another added, "He also is following that friend of his that's going viral rn because she's been posting to clear her name from him, but ppl justtttt found old clips from streams where she was joking about getting sexual with minors. Soooooooo this is like craaaazy."


During d4vd's ongoing preliminary hearing in Los Angeles, prosecutors introduced new digital and forensic evidence that they allege strengthens their case against the singer. Among the evidence were text messages that prosecutors say show Celeste Rivas Hernandez became pregnant in early 2024 and later underwent an abortion, along with explicit photos allegedly recovered from d4vd's phone. Investigators also testified about bloodstains allegedly linked to Celeste, purchases of chainsaws, body bags and a burn box, and cellphone and vehicle data that prosecutors claim place d4vd near key locations in the investigation. Prosecutors argue the evidence supports their allegation that d4vd killed the 14-year-old to prevent her from exposing their relationship, while the singer has pleaded not guilty to all charges.