Love Island USA's Yulissa reveals how producers quietly removed her from the show over racial slurs
*
SIGN UP
I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice
Former Love Island USA contestant Yulissa Escobar has opened up about her unceremonious exit from the show's seventh season after videos of her making racial slurs resurfaced online.
Escobar, who was one of 10 original singletons to join the reality series' current season, was quietly removed last month in episode two. At the time, the show's narrator, Iain Stirling, simply stated that 'Yulissa has left the villa,' without further elaborating.
It was later reported that her departure came amid immense fan backlash over old podcast clips showing her using the N-word.
The Miami-born entrepreneur has now spoken out in a new TikTok video to share the 'real story' of her exit.
She prefaced the video, admitting that while she 'can't share certain things,' she 'will share the majority of what happened.'
Yulissa Escobar was booted from season seven of 'Love Island USA' after racist comments she made resurfaced
( Peacock )
'So, regular ass day. I did not wake up in the middle of the night, they didn't get me in the f***ing morning. They didn't drag my ass out of bed,' Escobar explained.
She said she was sitting and waiting with the other contestants for the arrival of bombshells Cierra and Charlie, when she was then called to the front to meet with the producers, expecting it was just to film a confessional.
But she soon realized 'something serious was happening' when a producer asked her to take off her mic.
'I honestly got scared, I thought something was happening with a family member or something. I didn't know what was going on,' Escobar said. 'They didn't really tell me anything, they just said, you know, a video resurfaced [on the] internet and it's not looking too good.'
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
She explained that at that point, because she didn't have her phone, she wasn't sure what video they were referring to.
After the producers confirmed she was being sent home, she was taken to a hotel and left without her phone for two days while awaiting the release of the two episodes she appeared in.
During that time, she 'was losing my f***ing mind because I didn't know what was going on. I just knew that there was a video out there.
'So finally, I got my phone back, and when I got my phone back, I was like, 'Holy s*** no way,' and it was a lot. It was a lot to take in,' she said, adding that she continued to frantically search her name on the web.
'And I was like, f***, no. I can't believe people think I'm racist. I mean, I get it, I said a word that I should have not said,' Escobar acknowledged.
'I wish I would have never said that,' she said. 'It is what it is. I can't go back in time. I am sorry that I said that word.'
Escobar previously addressed the controversy in a June Instagram post, apologizing for using 'a word I never should've used, a racial slur.'
'I used it ignorantly, not fully understanding the weight, history, or pain behind it. I wasn't trying to be offensive or harmful, but I recognize now that intention doesn't excuse impact. And the impact of that word is real. It's tied to generations of trauma, and it is not mine to use,' she wrote.
'At the time, I was speaking casually in conversation, not thinking deeply or critically about what I was saying. But that doesn't take away from how wrong it was. The truth is, I didn't know better then, but I do now. I've taken the time to reflect, to learn, and to grow from that moment.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Ryan Lochte slams Playboy ex-wife's 'pity party' as he gushes over new blonde lover... and reveals truth about cheating in tell-all interview
Swimming legend Ryan Lochte has found love with a pretty kindergarten teacher – just weeks after announcing his divorce. The rugged former Olympian, 40, revealed he is dating blonde mom-of-three Molly Gillihan, 37, in an exclusive interview with
The Sun
32 minutes ago
- The Sun
Love Island Casa Amor boy Ty is secretly related to show star from previous series – can you guess who?
NEW Love Island Casa Amor hunk Ty is related to a villa beauty from a past series. Tonight, the 23-year-old site engineer will make his show debut alongside with five other bombshells all vying to woo the girls and cement their place in the main villa. 5 5 Ahead of the episode, Ty's cousin from the 2022 series took to TikTok to reveal their connection. Cheyanne Kerr raised her hand to her mouth in surprise as the Love Island theme played, and she wrote: "POV: Your cousin just walked into the villa." One follower commented: "so excited for him. he's the best boy on there." Another agreed, saying: "Best one out them all." When a fan asked Cheyanne who she thought Ty would go for, she replied: "I haven't been watching it so I haven't a clue who people are but from what I've seen I think Shakira maybe???" She told another: "He likes a brunette tbh." Ahead of the series, Ty confirmed his type, saying: "I go off energy, if we vibe. I've typically dated brunettes, tanned, nice teeth with a nice smile." He added: "I've got my eyes on Shakira - she needs a Northern lad in there, our personalities would be the most matched I think. "Emily seems like a really sweet girl, someone you could take home to your parents. Helena is really good looking but she needs taming! I reckon I'm the man for the job." Barnsley bombshell Cheyanne had been single for six months when she entered the villa. Love Island fans left feeling 'sick' after last night's snogging challenge She said at the time: "I am not wanting to upset anyone or hurt anyone's feelings purposely but I am going in there for a reason and they're going in for a reason as well." The blonde stunner hit it off with rugby league lad Jacques O'Neill in Casa Amor but ultimately left the show when he decided to stick with Paige Thorne. 5 5 5
The Sun
32 minutes ago
- The Sun
Legendary drummer quits huge US rock band after 27 years
PEARL Jam's legendary drummer, Matt Cameron, has announced he's quit the band after 27 years, leaving fans devastated. The highly-regarded sticksman, 62, was also an integral part of fellow 90s grunge legends Soundgarden, who were fronted by the late Chris Cornell. 3 3 Announcing his departure on Instagram today, Matt wrote, "After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam. "Much love and respect to Jeff, Ed, Mike and Stone for inviting me into the band in 1998 and for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, filled with friendships, artistry, challenges and laughter. "I am forever grateful to the crew, staff and fans the world over. It's been an incredible journey. More to follow. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.' The remaining members of Pearl Jam - Eddie Vedder, Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament and Mike McCready - have shared their appreciation for Matt. A band statement read, "From being one of our first musical heroes in the bands Skinyard and the mighty Soundgarden, to playing on our first demos in 1990, Matt Cameron has been a singular and true powerhouse of a musician and drummer. "He has propelled the last 27 years of Pearl Jam live shows and studio recordings. It was a deeply important chapter for our group and we wish him well always. He will be deeply missed and is forever our friend in art and music. "We love you Matt." Devastated fans were just as effusive in their praise, with one writing, "Matt, thank you for all your dedication and love. We love you and will miss you so much." Another said, "Thank you for everything and for all these years. You are amazing." A third posted, "No way man !!! Buy thanks for everything Matt Cameron." Huge US band return with new single four years after last album - and it's with Grammy winning superstar producer Others speculated that Josh Freese, who was recently fired from Foo Fighters, could be the man to replace him. Pearl Jam released their 12th album Dark Matter last year and Matt's propulsive beats on the record received widespread acclaim. Twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of two iconic grunge bands, Matt was ranked 52 on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time list in 2016. He played on all six of Soundgarden's studio albums, the latest of which was 2012's comeback record King Animal. Five years after its release, frontman Cornell was found dead in his hotel room shortly after the band's gig in Detroit. With Pearl Jam, Matt played on seven studio LPs, the first of which was Binaural in 2000. He was also a member of Temple of the Dog, a grunge supergroup formed in 1990 to honour Andrew Wood, the Mother Love Bone frontman who died of a heroin overdose. Effectively Pearl Jam with Cornell, the band's sole studio album peaked at number five on the US chart. 3
