Love Island Season USA 7: Why is BuzzFeed facing huge backlash over 'Knuckle Sandwich' post about contestant Chelley?

Time of India

11-07-2025

BuzzFeed has come under intense public scrutiny following a now-deleted Instagram post from its food-focused brand, Tasty, which was widely condemned as racist, insensitive, and anti-Black. The post, referencing
Love Island USA
Season 7 contestant Chelley Bissainte, ignited a wave of outrage across social media, prompting demands for accountability and a genuine apology.
Controversial Post Draws Widespread Condemnation
On July 9, Tasty published a light-hearted carousel of suggested breakfast meals for the
Love Island USA
female contestants. Each meal was curated to match the personalities or relationships of the islanders. However, Chelley's entry included a bowl of fruit, Goldfish crackers (a nod to her current partner Ace), and most controversially, a "knuckle sandwich"—portrayed graphically as a white fist between two buns.
The slide, intended as satire, drew immediate criticism, with many accusing BuzzFeed of perpetuating violent stereotypes about Black women. The visual metaphor, critics said, crossed a line by making light of physical violence, particularly in the context of Chelley—a Black contestant—whose on-screen narrative has involved relationship dynamics, as mentioned in a report by BIN News.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Bargain Prices on Unsold Container Houses in Camarines Norte - Check Them Out!
Shipping Container Homes | Search Ads
Search Now
Undo
Buzzfeed thought it was okay to run a 'joke' about committing violence against Chelley because you bird brains ran around calling her a bully. Chelley, who has been nothing but calm, measured, and respectful all season. BW have to be silent doormats to avoid the aggressive tropes
— Riley Freeman (@TrillaryBlinton)
July 9, 2025
The reason my vote is always and will always be with Chelley is this—first the hate train, then brands feel open to share their out of pocket takes.. like a knuckle sandwich? That's a threat (and no, they did not do it for others)—
—wtf
@BuzzFeed
#loveislandusa
#loveisland
pic.twitter.com/Kk3a2Ud7mb
— AJ (@averagehijabi97)
July 9, 2025
Chelley's Team Slams BuzzFeed: 'Disturbing and Unacceptable'
In response, Chelley's representatives issued a strongly-worded statement, accusing BuzzFeed of implicitly invoking domestic violence and reinforcing dangerous, prejudiced narratives.
Live Events
'It is not only disturbing, disgusting, and unacceptable—it reflects the harsh reality that implicit biases, especially those rooted in anti-Blackness and misogyny, persist in media portrayals,' the statement read.
The team underscored that such messaging is not only offensive but also potentially harmful, particularly on a platform followed by millions, including young and impressionable viewers.
Swift Removal and an Attempted Clarification
Following the backlash, BuzzFeed's Tasty deleted the original post and replaced it with an edited version—substituting pancakes in place of the controversial "knuckle sandwich." In the updated caption, the account acknowledged the mistake:
'One of our jokes in the original post missed the mark… While we thought the knuckle sandwich was cheeky, we understand it landed with racial tones we didn't intend (but should have anticipated).'
However, this revised post was also heavily criticized for what Chelley's team described as a 'condescending tone and lack of accountability.' Shortly thereafter, Tasty removed the follow-up post entirely, further fueling debate around BuzzFeed's handling of the situation.
Calls for Accountability Continue
Chelley's representatives are now demanding more than just quiet deletions and half-hearted captions. They have called on BuzzFeed and Tasty to issue a public, formal apology and to take tangible steps toward accountability.
'Team Chelley will not tolerate this level of disrespect, anti-Blackness, prejudice, and misogyny,' the statement continued. 'We will not accept a narrative in which Chelley—or any person—deserves violence. That's not satire, it's dehumanizing.'
The team also criticized BuzzFeed for its failure to consult sensitivity experts or exercise basic editorial judgment before publishing the post, as per the BIN News.
Broader Social Media Reaction
The incident has become a trending topic, with thousands of social media users voicing solidarity with Chelley. On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtag #ProtectBlackWomen was widely used in response to the incident, with many highlighting the repeated microaggressions and racial biases that Black contestants face in reality television and mainstream media coverage.
One user wrote,
'BuzzFeed knew better. They've been called out before. This wasn't a joke—they played into centuries-old racist tropes and got caught.'
Another user said,
'You don't make light of domestic violence—especially not when targeting a Black woman on a public platform.'
BuzzFeed's History Under Scrutiny
This latest incident has also revived criticism of BuzzFeed's broader editorial practices, with some users pointing to past controversies involving racially insensitive content. Critics argue that the outlet has historically leaned on clickbait and provocation, often at the expense of marginalized groups.
As of Friday morning, BuzzFeed has not issued a corporate statement addressing the issue or confirming whether any internal review has been initiated.
FAQs
What happened with BuzzFeed's Tasty and Chelley Bissainte?
On July 9, 2025, BuzzFeed's food brand Tasty posted a carousel on Instagram suggesting 'breakfast meals' themed after
Love Island USA
contestants. Chelley Bissainte's meal included a 'knuckle sandwich'—represented graphically by a white fist between two buns—alongside fruit and Goldfish crackers. The post was widely condemned as racist, violent, and anti-Black, especially given Chelley's identity as a Black woman.
Why was the 'knuckle sandwich' reference controversial?
Critics argued that the image evoked violent stereotypes and implicitly referenced physical violence against a Black woman, framed as satire. Many viewed it as a dehumanizing trope with racial undertones that reinforced harmful narratives.