Carl Lee Schmidt (Love Island) – Bio, Age, Height, Name, Ex-Girlfriend, Instagram, Net Worth & Facts
Carl Witness Lee Schmidt burst onto screens in June 2026 as one of the most intriguing bombshells to enter the Love Island USA Season 8 villa. A 6-foot-2 fitness trainer and model from Denver with half-Chinese heritage, fluency in Mandarin and Japanese, and a unexpectedly wholesome backstory, Carl quickly became a fan favorite during the Casa Amor twist. From his academic background at a prestigious Minnesota college to his TikTok-famous ex-girlfriend and his instant connection with OG Islander Aniya Harvey, Schmidt’s journey from Colorado to Fiji has captivated reality TV audiences.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Carl Witness Lee Schmidt |
| Nick Name | Carl |
| Profession | Fitness Instructor, Personal Therapy Aide, Model |
| Birth Date | July 11, 1997 |
| Age | 28 years 11 months old |
| Birth Place | Denver, Colorado, USA |
| Hometown | Denver, Colorado, USA |
| Current Residence | Denver, Colorado, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Love Island USA Season 8 Casa Amor bombshell; connection with Aniya Harvey |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (half Chinese, half White) |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) — modeling agency; claims 6’4″ on show |
| Weight | Athletic build (not publicly confirmed) |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree (Asian Studies) |
| University | Carleton College (graduated 2020) |
| Religion | Not publicly confirmed |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Ex-Girlfriend | Caroline Cray (TikTok creator, 2022–2024) |
| Children | None |
| Parents | Mother (close relationship; sailed Nantucket together June 2026) |
| Siblings | Not publicly confirmed |
| Hobbies | Fitness, water sports, traveling, sailing, outdoor activities |
| Current Work | Fitness instructor, model with The Block Agency (Denver) |
| Years Active | 2020–present (professional); 2026 (reality TV) |
| Net Worth | Under $500,000 (estimated, 2026) |
Early Life & Education
Carl Witness Lee Schmidt was born on July 11, 1997, in Denver, Colorado. He grew up in the Mile High City in a multicultural household—his father is of Chinese descent, while his mother is White. This mixed heritage would later become a talking point on Love Island, where he bonded with Aniya Harvey over cultural exchange and even taught her Mandarin phrases.
Carl attended Carleton College, a prestigious liberal arts school in Northfield, Minnesota, where he pursued a degree in Asian Studies. He graduated in 2020, demonstrating an intellectual curiosity that sets him apart from many reality TV contestants. His academic background in Asian languages and cultures aligns with his personal travels and linguistic abilities—he speaks both Chinese (Mandarin) and Japanese, the latter honed during a study abroad experience in Japan.
Career Journey
Fitness & Therapy Work
Before reality television, Carl built a career in health and wellness. He works as a fitness instructor and personal therapy aide in Denver, having spent over three years in the therapy aide role according to his LinkedIn profile. His fitness brand on Instagram operates under the handle “Witness Lee,” where he shares workout content, outdoor adventures, and training tips.
Modeling
Carl is represented by The Block Agency in Denver as a model. His portfolio stats include:
- Height: 6’2″
- Chest: 44″
- Waist: 34″
- Hip: 40″
- Suit: 44L
- Shoe: Size 12
- Hair: Brown
- Eyes: Brown
His modeling work has complemented his fitness career, giving him a polished on-camera presence that served him well in the Love Island villa.
Love Island USA Season 8 (2026)
Carl entered Love Island USA Season 8 during the iconic Casa Amor twist on Day 17 (June 22, 2026). As one of 12 new male bombshells, he was part of a dramatic shakeup designed to test the existing couples.
Key Moments:
- First impression: Carl immediately caught the attention of OG Islander Aniya Harvey, a marketing director from Houston. During a group conversation about turn-ons, Carl said his was “kindness” and revealed he is 6’4″ and attracted to tall women like Aniya.
- Cultural connection: In a standout moment, Carl explained that he is half Chinese. When Aniya mentioned wanting to visit Japan, Carl revealed he had studied abroad there and taught her a sentence in Mandarin. Fans online immediately began comparing them to Disney couples like Mulan‘s Li Shang and Princess and the Frog‘s Naveen.
- The kiss: During a challenge hosted by Ariana Madix where each man had to kiss two girls they were interested in, Carl chose Aniya first, getting on the ground while she climbed on top of him for the kiss. He also kissed Kenzie Annis.
- Dumped and returned: Carl was initially dumped from the island on Day 20 but was brought back on Day 22 by America’s vote, a testament to his popularity with viewers.
- Sleeping arrangements: By the end of his first episode, Carl and Aniya had agreed to sleep in the same bed, while her original partner KC Chandler was exploring connections with Tierra Davis in the other villa.
As of late June 2026, Carl remains in the villa competing for love and the $100,000 prize.
Personal Life
Family
Carl appears to be extremely close to his family, particularly his mother. Just before departing for Fiji, he posted a video on Instagram of himself preparing to go sailing in Nantucket with his mother on June 12, 2026. His social media is filled with pictures of outdoor activities and family moments.
Ex-Girlfriend Caroline Cray
In a surprising twist, Carl’s ex-girlfriend Caroline Cray—a TikTok-famous creator with a severe case of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)—revealed their relationship after he appeared on the show. Caroline is severely allergic to almost everything and can only consume water, oats, and hypoallergenic formula.
Caroline shared wholesome details about their romance:
- They met in Nantucket in 2022 right after she graduated from college
- They dated for a couple of years
- Carl worked as a personal trainer at the same country club where Caroline worked behind the desk
- She praised him as “very, very good and very respectful” of her allergies and health problems
- The relationship ended due to the long distance—Carl living in Colorado and Caroline in Massachusetts
Caroline has been open about how her condition made dating challenging, as anything her boyfriends ate or touched could trigger anaphylactic shock if she kissed them. Carl’s patient and respectful handling of her condition earned him praise from both Caroline and viewers.
Dating History
Before Caroline Cray, Carl has not publicly discussed other relationships. As of his time on Love Island USA, he is single and exploring connections in the villa.
Controversies
Carl Schmidt has maintained a largely controversy-free public image. No major scandals, legal issues, or professional disputes have surfaced. His ex-girlfriend Caroline Cray’s revelations about their relationship were entirely positive, framing him as a caring and respectful partner. The only minor discrepancy is his height—he told Aniya he is 6’4″ on the show, while his modeling agency lists him at 6’2″.
Awards & Achievements
- America’s Vote Returnee — Brought back to Love Island USA Season 8 by popular vote after being dumped (Day 22)
- Fan Favorite Couple — “Carl and Aniya” shipping trend across social media platforms
- Carleton College Graduate — Bachelor’s degree in Asian Studies (2020)
- The Block Agency Model — Professional representation in Denver
Physical Statistics
| Measurement | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) — modeling agency; claims 6’4″ on show |
| Weight | Athletic build (not publicly confirmed) |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Body Type | Muscular, athletic (fitness trainer) |
| Chest | 44″ |
| Waist | 34″ |
| Hip | 40″ |
| Suit | 44L |
| Shoe Size | 12 (U.S.) |
| Tattoos | Not publicly confirmed |
Quotes
“My turn-on is kindness.”
— To Aniya Harvey during Casa Amor introductions“My whole family plays volleyball.”
— Bonding with Aniya over sports“He was very, very good and very respectful of my allergies, my health problems so I’m grateful for that.”
— Ex-girlfriend Caroline Cray on TikTok
Favorites
| Category | Favorite |
|---|---|
| Travel | Japan (studied abroad), Vietnam, Nantucket |
| Languages | English, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese |
| Sports | Volleyball (family plays), water sports, sailing |
| Fitness | Weight training, outdoor workouts |
| Food | Not publicly specified |
| Music | Not publicly specified |
| Fashion | Casual athletic wear, outdoor gear |
Earnings & Net Worth
| Source | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
| Fitness Instruction | Primary income source |
| Personal Therapy Aide | 3+ years experience |
| Modeling (The Block Agency) | Supplemental income |
| Love Island USA Appearance | Stipend + potential prize money |
| Social Media Influence | Growing; Instagram fitness account |
| Net Worth (2026) | Under $500,000 (estimated) |
Interesting Facts
- Carl is half Chinese and speaks Mandarin and Japanese fluently.
- He studied abroad in Japan during college.
- He graduated from Carleton College, a highly selective liberal arts college in Minnesota.
- His ex-girlfriend Caroline Cray is a TikTok-famous creator with severe MCAS who can only eat water, oats, and hypoallergenic formula.
- He was dumped and then voted back into the villa by America—an honor reserved for popular islanders.
- Fans have compared him and Aniya to Disney princes and princesses like Li Shang and Naveen.
- He dressed up as Li Shang from Mulan at least once before the show.
- He went sailing in Nantucket with his mother just days before flying to Fiji for Love Island.
- He worked at a country club in Nantucket where he met Caroline Cray.
- His Instagram fitness handle is “Witness Lee”—incorporating his middle name.
Did You Know?
- Carl is one of the few Love Island USA contestants with a college degree in Asian Studies and fluency in multiple languages.
- He was brought back into the villa by America’s vote after being eliminated—proving his instant popularity.
- His connection with Aniya Harvey began with a Mandarin language lesson that fans found adorable.
- He has been praised by his ex-girlfriend for being exceptionally respectful of her severe medical condition—a rare positive ex-story in reality TV.
Social Media Links
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Instagram (Personal) | @carl.schmidt (estimated) |
| Instagram (Fitness) | @witness.lee (estimated) |
| TikTok | Not publicly confirmed |
| Present (professional networking) | |
| Peacock Profile | Love Island USA Season 8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How old is Carl from Love Island USA?
A: Carl Lee Schmidt was born on July 11, 1997, making him 28 years 11 months old years old as of 2026.
Q: What is Carl’s full name on Love Island USA?
A: His full name is Carl Witness Lee Schmidt.
Q: Where is Carl from Love Island USA from?
A: He is from Denver, Colorado.
Q: What does Carl from Love Island do for a living?
A: He works as a fitness instructor and personal therapy aide. He is also a model with The Block Agency in Denver.
Q: Who is Carl’s ex-girlfriend?
A: His ex-girlfriend is Caroline Cray, a TikTok-famous creator known for documenting her life with severe Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). They dated from 2022 to 2024.
Q: How tall is Carl from Love Island?
A: His modeling agency lists him at 6 feet 2 inches, though he told Aniya on the show that he is 6 feet 4 inches.
Q: Who is Carl coupled with on Love Island USA?
A: As of Casa Amor, Carl has formed a connection with Aniya Harvey, an OG Islander and marketing director from Houston.
Q: Was Carl dumped from Love Island USA?
A: Yes, he was dumped on Day 20 but was brought back on Day 22 by America’s vote.
Q: What languages does Carl speak?
A: Carl speaks English, Mandarin Chinese, and Japanese.
Conclusion
Carl Lee Schmidt is not your typical reality TV contestant. With a Carleton College degree in Asian Studies, fluency in two languages, a respectful ex-girlfriend who speaks highly of him, and an instant fan-favorite connection with Aniya Harvey, Carl has brought depth and charm to Love Island USA Season 8. Whether he finds lasting love in the villa or returns to Denver to continue his fitness and modeling career, he has already made an impression that extends far beyond Fiji.
If you enjoyed this biography, please share it with fellow Love Island fans and bookmark it for updates on his journey.
