8 hours ago
Love Island USA star Yulissa Escobar looks bleary-eyed in mug shot for DUI arrest after she ‘took shot' at tequila bar
LOVE Island USA star Yulissa Escobar appeared bleary-eyed in a mug shot for a 2024 DUI arrest and admitted to drinking at a tequila bar before getting behind the wheel.
Yulissa, 27, appeared on the show's current season for the premiere episode and was kicked off after a video of her making racist remarks resurfaced on social media.
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In the incident report exclusively obtained by The U.S. Sun, Yulissa was arrested and charged with driving under the influence in Miami.
In the July 24, 2024 report, an officer spotted a black Acura that was 'all over the roadway' and 'unable to maintain a lane.'
The car 'nearly at times collided with the median concrete wall.'
The incident report read, 'The defendant was observed to have bloodshot, watery eyes, and I could smell an odor of an unknown alcohol beverage emitting from inside the vehicle.'
She told the officer she was coming from her job at Pilo's Tequila Garden.
Yulissa told the officer that she had nothing to drink and claimed to have been 'driving normally.'
The officer had her step out of the vehicle and asked if she would be willing to perform standardized field sobriety tests to determine if she was okay to continue to drive.
'She ultimately agreed to perform the tests,' the report read. 'As the Defendant spoke to me, I could smell an unknown odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from her face and mouth area.
'When asked again if she had consumed any alcoholic beverage, the defendant stated that she had a shot with one of her clients at work.'
The officer noted she was unable to keep balance while listening to instructions, started before instructions were finished and used her arms for balance.
During the one-leg stand she swayed while balancing, used her arms to balance and put her foot down.
The report continued to allege, 'The defendant was advised that she was being arrested for driving under the influence. At approximately 3:57am she was placed in handcuffs with a double lock.'
She refused to give a sample of her breath to determine the blood alcohol content.
'The defendant was allowed to call her family members to pick up her car,' the report read. 'While speaking on the phone with her family, she made multiple spontaneous statements about her drinking and driving.'
She was booked and charged with DUI.
She paid a $1,000 bond.
In her mug shot, she appeared solemn and bleary-eyed.
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IN COURT
Yulissa pleaded not guilty to the charge against her in court, calling the arrest "unlawful."
A jury trial was set in the case.
But then on March 19, 2025, Yulissa waived her right to a speedy trial and agreed to the Back on Track Program.
The terms read, 'If you are accepted by the State Attorney's Office and comply and successfully complete all conditions of the Back on Track Program, you will then be able to enter a plea and receive a withhold of adjudication on a reduced charge of reckless driving."
The length of participation is 12 months for a DUI-tier II and she will receive a suspended sentence, which means no jail time.
Her next court hearing is April 6, 2026.
Yulissa did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun's request for comment.
OUT OF THE VILLA
Yulissa was cut from the villa off-camera in just the second episode of the season before any of her fellow Islanders had even woken up.
She had been an original islander on season 7 of Love Island USA, which premiered earlier this month.
Her exit came after old podcast clips emerged on Reddit, showing Yulissa using the N-word while talking about her ex-boyfriends.
Last week, Yulissa broke her silence over social media when she returned home from Love Island USA 's villa.
She wrote on Instagram, "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."
She ended, "To those who are disappointed or offended, I understand and I apologize. I am sorry."
She then posted how cancel culture is not "accountability" and is instead "online brutality," as she has received death threats.
She wrote, 'No one deserves to be erased over one moment. For the ones who didn't make it — may you rest in peace. For the ones who are scared to speak — I got you. And for myself — because I'm done staying quiet.
'My name is Yulissa Escobar. And this is NOT where my story ends. One mistake does not define a human. And that moment? Was four years ago. I've clearly grown and I'm just getting started.'
LOVE ISLAND USA SEASON 7 CAST
Love Island USA has returned to Peacock for Season 7 with a new cast - and new drama! Check out the cast of Love Island USA below.
Original cast members:
-Chelley Bissainthe, 27, Orlando, Florida
-Huda Mustafa, 24, Raleigh, North Carolina
-Olandria Carthen, 27, Decatur, Alabama
-Belle-A Walker, 22, Honolulu, Hawaii (Eliminated)
-Yulissa Escobar, 27, Miami, Florida (Removed from house)
-Ace Greene, 22, Los Angeles, California
-Taylor Williams, 24, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
-Nicolas Vansteenberghe, 24, Jacksonville, Florida
-Austin Shepard, 26, Northville, Michigan
-Jeremiah Brown, 25, Los Angeles, California
Bombshells:
-Cierra Ortega, 25, Los Angeles, California
-Charlie Georgiou, 27, United Kingdom (Eliminated)
-Hannah Fields. 23, Tucson, Arizona
-Amaya Espinal, 25, New York, New York
-Iris Kendall, 25, Los Angeles, California
-Pepe Garcia, 27, Los Angeles California
-Jalen Brown, 27, Sparta, Georgia (Eliminated)
TIME ON LOVE ISLAND USA
Yulissa was coupled up with Ace Greene.
Since Yulissa left the show, Ace coupled up with Amaya Espinal.
On Tuesday night's recoupling, he chose to be with Chelley Bissainthe after the two showed interest in each other all season, but played hard to get.
Love Island USA airs new episodes daily (except Wednesdays) at 9 p.m. EDT on Peacock.
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