BREAKING NEWS Love Island USA cast member breaks silence after being kicked off show due to past racist slurs
Axed Love Island USA contestant Yulissa Escobar has broken her silence after being removed from the show over her past use of racist slurs.
Escobar, 27, was released from the reality TV show off camera during only the second episode, before the rest of the contestants woke up for the day.
Clips of Escobar using the N-word while discussing ex-boyfriends surfaced on Reddit and fans were irate, commenting on her Instagram that they would vote her off at the first opportunity.
Now Escobar has taken to Instagram to apologize for using the slurs in a post captioned: 'Owning my mistakes, speaking my truth.'
She wrote: 'First, I want to apologize for using a word I had no right in using.
'Podcast clips from years ago have recently resurfaced, and I want to address it directly.
'In those clips, I used 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.
'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.
'I've changed a lot since then, not just in how I speak, but in how I show up, how I carry myself, and how I honor the experiences of others. Growth means recognizing when you were wrong, even if it's uncomfortable, and choosing to move forward with humility and accountability.
'There have also been fake statements circulating, things written or said by others that don't reflect me or my heart. I want to clarify that this is my voice and my words. I don't need anyone to speak for me. I'm choosing to speak for myself because I take full ownership of my actions. Do not listen to the fake statements. This is my official statement. This is me, speaking directly to you.
'To those who are disappointed or offended, I understand and I apologize.
'I am sorry.
As the islanders were waking up, the narrator of the show Iain Stirling announced: 'Yulissa has left the villa.'
Yulissa was paired up with Ace Greene who is now single following her exit.
One comment on the Reddit thread pointed out: 'How [the f***] did producers let this slide? They for SURE saw this.'
Another user replied: 'Yeah, if people on this sub can find this in a few days, casting should have DEFINITELY found this. So either they're not looking into people enough or they're choosing to let this stuff slide. Not sure which is worse.'
The remaining season seven Islanders include: Chelley Bissainthe, Huda Mustafa, Belle-A Walker, Olandria Carthen, Greene, and Taylor Williams.
The comments on Yulissa's Instagram will be a surprise to her when she gets back from Fiji.
''yulissa has left the villa' LMFAOOOO,' one fan wrote, while another expressed,' WE WON SHES GONE!'
The strong reaction continued in that theme, with someone else saying: 'Love Island stood on business and I love that.'
Just a day before her exit, the budding reality star had been happily promoting the show on her Instagram.
In one post, she wrote, 'It's my unapologetic year! And I'm choosing me, every time. Loud, soft, sweet, savage—whatever I feel like being.'
In other Love Island-related posts, Yulissa shilled for votes to stay in the Villa.
'Say hello to your newest official islander on Love Island USA Season 7. Straight from Miami and headed to the villa! She's all about kindness, connection, and staying true to who she is,' one post was captioned
'We can't wait for you to get to know her heart, her humor, and everything in between. Make sure you download love island app to vote for Yulissa!'
'Can she see these comments?? Or not yet cause she in the island? Honestly IDC but how hilarious when she comes out thinking she got all these fans but she's getting cancelled,' one person commented on that post.
Yulissa isn't the only Love Island USA contestant to face controversy.
Season 7 contestant Austin Shepard has faced controversy for liking TikTok content supporting Donald Trump.
Unlike Yulissa, Austin has remained in the villa.
The remaining female contestants in the villa include Chelley Bissainthe, Huda Mustafa, Belle-A Walker, and Olandria Carthen.
The guys vying for love are Ace Greene, Taylor Williams, Nicolas Vansteenberghe and Jeremiah Brown.
The show also introduced two early bombshells: Cierra Ortega and Charlie Georgiou.
Bombshells are a new Islander who enters the villa with the intention of potentially disrupting existing relationships and forming new ones.
"Islanders will couple up to face brand new heart-racing challenges and bigger twists and turns than ever before,' the show's logline reads. The contestants are also vying for a $100,000 prized.
On Love Island USA, a spinoff of Love Island UK, singles live together in a villa for about two months and couple up with the islander they are most attracted to.
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