“Love Island USA” contestant Yulissa Escobar was removed from the villa in Episode 2 of Season 7 after old podcast clips surfaced online in which she used racial slurs.
The show offered little explanation for her departure. Around the 18-minute mark of Wednesday’s episode, as the islanders wake up, narrator Iain Stirling simply states, “Yulissa has left the villa.” It’s unclear whether Escobar exited during the night or if the show’s editors chose to cut her scenes entirely.
Since appearing on the show, Escobar has faced significant online backlash after resurfaced podcast clips revealed her using racial slurs. In audio obtained by TMZ, she can be heard saying the N-word multiple times while talking about past relationships.
Read More: Love Island USA Season 7 Premiere Episode Airs Over 40 Minutes Late
Fans flooded Escobar’s Instagram with hundreds of angry comments, vowing to vote her off the island once the option became available on the “Love Island” app. So far, she hasn’t addressed the backlash publicly.
Escobar isn’t the only contestant under scrutiny. After Peacock revealed the Season 7 cast, a user on X shared screenshots of Austin Shepard’s alleged TikTok likes, which appeared to show support for former President Donald Trump. Shepard remains in the villa.
The current female islanders include Chelley Bissainthe, Huda Mustafa, Belle-A Walker, and Olandria Carthen. The male contestants are Ace Greene, Taylor Williams, Nicolas Vansteenberghe, and Jeremiah Brown. Bombshells Cierra Ortega and Charlie Georgiou joined on the first night. Ariana Madix, formerly of “Vanderpump Rules,” returned as the show’s host.
Season 7 of “Love Island USA” premiered on June 3 on Peacock. Despite a nearly 45-minute delay due to technical issues, viewers were eventually introduced to the 10 singles competing for a $100,000 cash prize and a chance at love.
The season is now streaming on Peacock.
Source: Variety