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Ariana Madix, the host of Love Island USA, recently shared an amusing anecdote about accidentally using a viral nickname for contestant Nic Vansteenberghe in the villa.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Madix revealed that she referred to Nic as "Mommy's Little Meatball" during the introduction of Casa Amor, leaving him visibly confused. The nickname originated from a T-shirt Nic wore to bed with the phrase written on it, which became a viral meme among fans.
"I had to remember, like, wait, he doesn't know that we've seen his Mommy's little meatball shirt," Madix said, laughing. "He was like, 'What?'"
Madix, who has been hosting the show for the seventh season, also shared her favorite moments from the current season, including Nic's hilarious reaction to Huda Mustafa's confession about being a mother to a 4-year-old daughter. The "Mamacita" interaction has become one of the season's most viral moments, with even celebrities like Demi Lovato, Jennifer Lopez, and Gordon Ramsay reacting to it.
In addition to her hosting duties, Madix has been enjoying her time in Fiji, where the show is filmed. "It's really fun," she said. "Even going to work doesn't really feel like work."
New episodes of Love Island USA drop every day except Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock. Catch up on the latest episodes and don't miss out on the drama!