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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Love Island USA' Has Its First Season 7 Scandal And, Of Course, It Involves Racism
This article includes material from HuffPost's weekly culture and entertainment newsletter, The Culture Catchall. Click here to subscribe. The new 'Love Island USA' cast entered the villa this week, but one islander has already made her exit due to a scandal. On Wednesday, one day after the hit Peacock dating series kicked off Season 7 with 10 new singles, viewers noticed that contestant Yulissa Escobar was oddly absent at one point during Episode 2. Although Escobar was seen sharing a bed with her castmate, Ace Greene — whom she coupled up with during the premiere — a narrator's announcement 18 minutes into the episode revealed she 'has left the villa.' Her absence was noticed again toward the end of Episode 2 when Greene was declared single among the remaining couples. Representatives for 'Love Island USA' confirmed Escobar's departure to HuffPost. No explanation was provided for her sudden exit. However, days before the show returned, 'Love Island USA' sleuths resurfaced clips of the 27-year-old using the N-word on two separate podcasts, TMZ reported. Some 'Love Island USA' viewers vowed to boot Escobar from the show during Season 7's first fan vote on account of the revelation, but it seems Peacock beat them to the punch. Perhaps to avoid any further scrutiny for an incident that seemed avoidable, as some pointed out that Escobar's racial remarks would've (and should've) come up during the show's allegedly extensive background checks. Fans flooded Escobar's Instagram comments after the scandalous clips surfaced, and even more so after her exit was announced. Some even took to social media to celebrate: To the person that found that clip of Yulissa on that podcast. Thank you for your service omg!!! — Film&TV Rants (@FilmTVRants) June 5, 2025 Yulissa kicked off, yall gonna learn to stop saying the n-word one way or another # — Manibaby ⚖️♎️ (@manixxbaby) June 5, 2025 Yulissa thought she was gonna stay in my villa saying the n word LOL. Baby haven't you heard it's Black Island now! 🤭 — 𝕃𝔼𝔼 | TRK 💜♠️ (@tiffanyspawn) June 4, 2025 didn't realize Yulissa was gone until Ace said he was single now # — nala🧸 (@midnightxnc) June 5, 2025 Others cracked jokes about how producers ushered her off the show: how the producers woke Yulissa up to kick her out the villa # — KEEKS✨ (@KeyonnaMarisha) June 5, 2025 the producers to yulissa in the still of the night — love island usa (@ariiswatching) June 5, 2025 Yulissa when she woke up: # — CXVIII (@1llicitBuck) June 5, 2025 producers to yulissa in the middle of the night # — jay 𐚁 despises beyoncé (@NOTMYJOBFLO) June 5, 2025 production kicking yulissa out in the middle of the night: # — ' (@kozylockez) June 5, 2025 'Welcome to Love Island USA, Yulissa has left the villa' etfhugchyrdx the way no one gave af even the narrator # — Jake from State Farm knows I exist (@SeniTelly) June 5, 2025 The Miami native has yet to address her comments or her departure from 'Love Island USA.' But according to TMZ, one of her friends, Maria, tried to defend her in Instagram comments, writing, 'lol... y'all act like you never said the N word before, stop being so f***ing sensitive.' This wouldn't be the first time a contestant got kicked off 'Love Island' outside of eliminations. Before the upcoming Season 12 premiere of the UK installment, ITV confirmed to Deadline that contestant Kyle Ashman would not be entering the villa for 'personal reasons.' Multiple reports suggested it was due to Ashman being allegedly involved in a machete attack incident. Noah Purvis, a contestant on Season 2 of 'Love Island USA,' told E! News that he was eliminated from the show after producers learned he once appeared in pornographic films. Season 3's Leslie Golden got the boot as well for reportedly bringing a cannabis vape into the villa. However, this appears to be the first time an islander has been ejected for a racist controversy, one that fans weren't going to let up on. Much like other dating shows, race has long been a contentious issue for the 'Love Island' franchise, particularly in casting decisions. The swift action taken to address Escobar's actions suggests that 'Love Island' is learning to listen to fans and course-correct appropriately. But, hopefully, this doesn't mean this type of behavior will only be punished once fans bring it to their attention. Reality show audiences have long warned other shows about letting racist incidents slip through the cracks. Matt James' season of 'The Bachelor,' which marked him the first Black bachelor, experienced a similar racial incident when controversial photos of winner Rachael Kirkconnell attending an antebellum-themed college party resurfaced. Previous host Chris Harrison came under fire for defending Kirkconnell amid the controversy. He then stepped aside from his hosting role in the franchise and later made a complete exit. Now, will this be the last racial incident we ever see on reality TV? Sadly, probably not. However, in this era of accountability, viewers are unlikely to let these matters go unaddressed for long. And they shouldn't. Subscribe to The Culture Catchall to stay up to date on all things entertainment. She Became An Anomaly On Reality TV — And Found Love, Too 'Love Island USA' Finally Had A Hit Season — And This Is Why The 'Love Island USA' Season 6 Reunion Missed These 6 Key Moments
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Love Island USA' Has Its First Season 7 Scandal And, Of Course, It Involves Racism
This article includes material from HuffPost's weekly culture and entertainment newsletter, The Culture Catchall. Click here to subscribe. The new 'Love Island USA' cast entered the villa this week, but one islander has already made her exit due to a scandal. On Wednesday, one day after the hit Peacock dating series kicked off Season 7 with 10 new singles, viewers noticed that contestant Yulissa Escobar was oddly absent at one point during Episode 2. Although Escobar was seen sharing a bed with her castmate, Ace Greene — whom she coupled up with during the premiere — a narrator's announcement 18 minutes into the episode revealed she 'has left the villa.' Her absence was noticed again toward the end of Episode 2 when Greene was declared single among the remaining couples. Representatives for 'Love Island USA' confirmed Escobar's departure to HuffPost. No explanation was provided for her sudden exit. However, days before the show returned, 'Love Island USA' sleuths resurfaced clips of the 27-year-old using the N-word on two separate podcasts, TMZ reported. Some 'Love Island USA' viewers vowed to boot Escobar from the show during Season 7's first fan vote on account of the revelation, but it seems Peacock beat them to the punch. Perhaps to avoid any further scrutiny for an incident that seemed avoidable, as some pointed out that Escobar's racial remarks would've (and should've) come up during the show's allegedly extensive background checks. Fans flooded Escobar's Instagram comments after the scandalous clips surfaced, and even more so after her exit was announced. Some even took to social media to celebrate: To the person that found that clip of Yulissa on that podcast. Thank you for your service omg!!! — Film&TV Rants (@FilmTVRants) June 5, 2025 Yulissa kicked off, yall gonna learn to stop saying the n-word one way or another # — Manibaby ⚖️♎️ (@manixxbaby) June 5, 2025 Yulissa thought she was gonna stay in my villa saying the n word LOL. Baby haven't you heard it's Black Island now! 🤭 — 𝕃𝔼𝔼 | TRK 💜♠️ (@tiffanyspawn) June 4, 2025 didn't realize Yulissa was gone until Ace said he was single now # — nala🧸 (@midnightxnc) June 5, 2025 Others cracked jokes about how producers ushered her off the show: how the producers woke Yulissa up to kick her out the villa # — KEEKS✨ (@KeyonnaMarisha) June 5, 2025 the producers to yulissa in the still of the night — love island usa (@ariiswatching) June 5, 2025 Yulissa when she woke up: # — CXVIII (@1llicitBuck) June 5, 2025 producers to yulissa in the middle of the night # — jay 𐚁 despises beyoncé (@NOTMYJOBFLO) June 5, 2025 production kicking yulissa out in the middle of the night: # — ' (@kozylockez) June 5, 2025 'Welcome to Love Island USA, Yulissa has left the villa' etfhugchyrdx the way no one gave af even the narrator # — Jake from State Farm knows I exist (@SeniTelly) June 5, 2025 The Miami native has yet to address her comments or her departure from 'Love Island USA.' But according to TMZ, one of her friends, Maria, tried to defend her in Instagram comments, writing, 'lol... y'all act like you never said the N word before, stop being so f***ing sensitive.' This wouldn't be the first time a contestant got kicked off 'Love Island' outside of eliminations. Before the upcoming Season 12 premiere of the UK installment, ITV confirmed to Deadline that contestant Kyle Ashman would not be entering the villa for 'personal reasons.' Multiple reports suggested it was due to Ashman being allegedly involved in a machete attack incident. Noah Purvis, a contestant on Season 2 of 'Love Island USA,' told E! News that he was eliminated from the show after producers learned he once appeared in pornographic films. Season 3's Leslie Golden got the boot as well for reportedly bringing a cannabis vape into the villa. However, this appears to be the first time an islander has been ejected for a racist controversy, one that fans weren't going to let up on. Much like other dating shows, race has long been a contentious issue for the 'Love Island' franchise, particularly in casting decisions. The swift action taken to address Escobar's actions suggests that 'Love Island' is learning to listen to fans and course-correct appropriately. But, hopefully, this doesn't mean this type of behavior will only be punished once fans bring it to their attention. Reality show audiences have long warned other shows about letting racist incidents slip through the cracks. Matt James' season of 'The Bachelor,' which marked him the first Black bachelor, experienced a similar racial incident when controversial photos of winner Rachael Kirkconnell attending an antebellum-themed college party resurfaced. Previous host Chris Harrison came under fire for defending Kirkconnell amid the controversy. He then stepped aside from his hosting role in the franchise and later made a complete exit. Now, will this be the last racial incident we ever see on reality TV? Sadly, probably not. However, in this era of accountability, viewers are unlikely to let these matters go unaddressed for long. And they shouldn't. Subscribe to The Culture Catchall to stay up to date on all things entertainment. She Became An Anomaly On Reality TV — And Found Love, Too 'Love Island USA' Finally Had A Hit Season — And This Is Why The 'Love Island USA' Season 6 Reunion Missed These 6 Key Moments
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
With A New Pope, ‘Conclave' Becomes The Most Relevant Movie Of The Year
This article includes material from HuffPost's weekly culture and entertainment newsletter, The Culture Catchall. Click here to subscribe. Edward Berger's 'Conclave' had perfect timing. That's probably what a lot of people thought on Thursday after the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was announced following a two-day conclave. At the ancient ritual, cardinals gather in secrecy to elect a pope — complete with smoke signals, deliberations and theatrics that could've rivaled its Hollywood depiction. The ins and outs of the centuries-old papal process hadn't become a mainstream topic until 'Conclave' emerged as one of last year's biggest films. Buzz surrounding the movie got so big that it even earned its own dedicated stan account on X, Pope Crave, a parody of celeb news account Pop Crave, that has almost 100,000 followers. Now, with a new pope in place, the film has garnered interest again. Social media was quick to point out how the release of 'Conclave' funnily coincided with real-life developments at the Vatican this week: the more i think about the more insane it is that conclave came out within the last 8 months to coincide with all of this like that movie will be in the cultural zeitgeist forever — club hathaway (@NtiAning) May 8, 2025 they dropped conclave (2024) at the perfect time ik whoever was in charge of scheduling that movie is cheesing mad as hell — cay (@koralinadean) May 8, 2025 Conclave (2024) is gonna be one of those fucking movies where everyone is just gonna say "you HAD to be there" cause no other movie could have this level of not massive but just plain insane pop culture to real life madness. The pope actually DYING is just the tip of the ICEBERG — 🐢Benitez Hype Guy🐢 (@bntz_04) May 7, 2025 This is how you know Conclave probably should have won best picture. People are obsessed with the new process. We are gonna look back in 10 years and remember that movie the most. — Totally Kyle (@KBeezy1001) May 8, 2025 Who can blame them, though? It's hard to ignore the uncanny arrival of 'Conclave' mere months before the death of Pope Francis. As a result of his death, we seemingly got to experience the movie's events all over again, now in real life. It's interesting to see just how relevant 'Conclave' has remained since its release in October. The film, based on Robert Harris' 2016 novel of the same name and starring three-time Oscar nominee Ralph Fiennes, earned rave reviews and won several awards, including an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. The 'Conclave' buzz could've stopped there, but the film surged back into the zeitgeist last month after Francis died. Some wondered if the election of his successor would echo the events of 'Conclave,' which depicted the notoriously top-secret rite against the backdrop of Vatican politics and power struggles. Predictions weren't too far off based on how this week's conclave went. Aside from some fictionalized details — like unearthed scandals and corruption surrounding the mysterious death of a former pope — 'Conclave' is a pretty accurate depiction of the titular process (save for excluding some deeply spiritual aspects), thanks to thorough research conducted by Harris and those behind the film. 'We were given a private tour of the Vatican, and they were quite welcoming, actually, quite helpful. So it was a big research project, really,' 'Conclave' screenwriter Peter Straughan told USA Today. Speaking to The National Catholic Reporter last year, Fiennes added of the film: 'If we were to be taken seriously, I knew we had to get the rituals right. … I hate when… it's not done properly or if it's messy. For those who are in these spaces, those elements are important.' The response to the movie's meticulous detail is a testament to its theatrical success and real-life impact, as it became a helpful guide for some of the 133 cardinal-electors who had little experience with conclave protocol until this week. 'Some have watched ['Conclave'] in the cinema,' one cleric told Politico about the preparation to select Prevost, who's now taken the name Pope Leo XIV. According to his brother John Prevost, the new pope also watched the film before his election, 'so he knew how to behave.' 'Conclave' has had a similar impact on its Pope Crave fan account, run by artist Susan Bin, which went from sharing film updates to actual papal process updates for inquiring minds. 'The pivot to me was natural,' Bin shared in a recent interview with Time Magazine. 'When we started with the whole Oscar thing and with 'Conclave,' people still wanted to learn about conclave and its actual practice.' And demand remains high for anything that demystifies the practice, as, per CBS News, sales for Harris' historical novel are 'up tenfold.' Luminate reported that the viewership of 'Conclave,' currently streaming on Prime Video, also spiked by 283% one day after Francis' death. Already, 'Conclave' appears to be the most relevant movie of the year, whether by coincidence or providence. The inner workings of Vatican affairs now have a spotlight unlike we've ever seen in pop culture, giving 'life imitates art' a whole new meaning. If the discourse continues, 'Conclave' just might become the go-to reference for all things papal. Robert Francis Prevost Makes History As First U.S. Pope Chosen To Lead Catholic Church New Pope's Brother Shares Unexpected Detail About Conclave Prep And Baseball Loyalty The New Pope Faces Scrutiny On LGBTQ+ Rights
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Pop The Balloon' Was Never Supposed To Make It This Far
This article includes material from HuffPost's weekly culture and entertainment newsletter, The Culture Catchall. Click here to subscribe. It pains me to say that Netflix's newest reality show is not an early April Fool's Day joke. Unless you've been completely out of the social media loop, you've likely stumbled upon a clip of the speed dating show 'Pop the Balloon.' The YouTube social experiment, hosted and co-created by Arlette Amuli, has become a viral sensation over the last year-and-a-half for its outrageous moments of singles making superficial snap decisions to reject one another by popping their balloons. Now, the series is taking the messy drama to the streaming world. On Thursday, Netflix announced plans to roll out a new iteration of the online show hosted by Yvonne Orji, but with a twist. Starting April 10, the streamer will air live episodes — yes, you read that right — of 'Pop the Balloon,' promising 'even higher stakes, fresh twists and celebrity surprises, all unfolding in real time.' 'We're thrilled to see 'Pop the Balloon' take on a new life on Netflix,' Amuli and co-creator Bolia Matundu shared in a statement. 'From day one, we've kept love and fun at the heart of the show, and watching it evolve and soar beyond our wildest dreams has been truly exciting. As executive producers, we're proud to support this next chapter and can't wait for both new and longtime fans to experience it.' I can't say the overwhelming majority, myself included, shares the same sentiment, per the mixed reactions on social media: We do not fucking need this. — Solitary (@Queen_EO) March 27, 2025 i hope this crashes and burns tbh — Dark Fairy ✨🧚🏾🖤 (@nekkedhippie) March 27, 2025 Ain't nobody asked for no damn Pop The Balloon TV show, Netflix! — travis's video soul. (@travisfromdabk_) March 27, 2025 They're making the balloon popping date thing into an actual show on Netflix… — AK 💗 (@LeRouge_A) March 27, 2025 That's perhaps because 'Pop the Balloon' has a pretty cringe reputation, mainly for becoming a platform that has exploited misogynoir, body shaming, controversial dating views, straight-up dysfunction, and more for clicks and views. has anyone at netflix really watched this?? cause what a terrible idea — nay 🖤 (@chaoticblkgirl) March 27, 2025 The digital version of Pop the Balloon is rooted in misogynoir with self-hating views on love and dating. Very curious to see the series format. — GirlTyler (@sheistyler) March 27, 2025 I just — who in the room doesn't understand this is horrible? 🤦🏾♀️ — LINDSEY 👩🏿💻 🍑 | UX/UI Doll (@LindseyCreated) March 27, 2025 Will a Netflix co-sign make the concept any less problematic? No. But that also depends on whether the digital series gets a complete makeover, which, based on Netflix's announcement, doesn't sound too far off. In addition to showcasing everyday contestants like the original series, Netflix's version plans to throw in a few known reality stars, too, like Johnny Bananas ('The Challenge'), Chase DeMoor ('Too Hot To Handle'), Farrah Abraham ('Teen Mom') and Zaina Sesay (The Ultimatum'). That alone should tell you this will not be a serious dating show by any means. But then again, 'Pop the Balloon' didn't earn its reputation for being a show in the business of making love matches anyway. Most of its notoriety stems from viral clips that, oftentimes, highlight some embarrassing moment or disparaging remark made by a participant — and social media comments only fuel the toxic discourse. It goes without saying that most reality dating shows today are seemingly not designed to nurture actual love connections. 'Too Hot to Handle,' 'Temptation Island,' 'The Ultimatum,' and others alike rely on gimmicks to give their shows a false sense of purpose when their ultimate goal is to provide entertainment — the crazier, the better. So, in some ways, it makes perfect sense for 'Pop the Balloon' to ink a deal to bring its wild antics to Netflix's broad audience. Still, it's troubling to think how this show will be received when the original version predominantly features Black participants and is consumed by a mostly Black audience, most times within the confines of social media. I had this same uneasy feeling when the 'Saturday Night Live' cast (which isn't the most diverse) spoofed 'Pop the Balloon' for a January skit featuring host Dave Chappelle, Donnell Rawlings and musical guest GloRilla. This is not because the sketch series very obviously pulled from the internet zeitgeist for comedic fodder, but because a silly social media gimmick was always meant to remain where it started — because not everything makes for great content. Yet, mocking the show on national television only gave it more credence. And Netflix just sealed its fate. But I can't say I'm particularly shocked, considering how low the bar is for reality shows today (a certain streaming network that turned 'Bad Girls Club' into fight club comes to mind). Leaning into spectacle over substance is sadly on par with most Netflix dating shows. 'Pop the Balloon' airing on the streamer will likely turn it into the next unnecessary cultural phenomenon. Because that's the goal these days, right? To turn senseless entertainment into ludicrous discourse that will consume our timelines, thus giving the show the ratings it needs. I guess you can never underestimate people's appetite for tasteless content. Subscribe to The Culture Catchall to stay up to date on all things entertainment.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A #FreeWendy Movement Is Emerging. Will It Help Liberate The Talk Show Host?
This article includes material from HuffPost's weekly culture and entertainment newsletter, The Culture Catchall. Click here to subscribe. For the past three years, Wendy Williams has been fighting for her life. She was placed in a court-ordered guardianship in 2022 after her bank, Wells Fargo, reportedly noticed 'a pattern of unusual and disturbing events' related to her finances. Since then, the 60-year-old talk show host, famous for her celebrity gossip, has become the subject of endless internet fodder as concerns for her health and the circumstances of her conservatorship grow. On Friday, Williams gave a new update on her guardianship battle during a phoned-in appearance on 'The View' — the closest to a return to television since her syndicated talk show concluded in June 2022 without her. She spoke at length about how she's doing and later begged her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, and a judge to 'get off my neck.' This followed reports that the broadcasting giant was taken to the hospital earlier in the week and underwent a mental-capacity evaluation, which she said she 'passed with flying colors.' 'It was my choice,' Williams said of the voluntary test for her alleged 'incapacitation,' adding, 'which I don't have it.' Williams received a dementia diagnosis last year, which further complicated her guardianship case, though she's maintained that she's 'not cognitively impaired.' 'How dare they say I have incapacitation. I do not!'Wendy Williams, with her advocate Ginalisa Monterroso, speaks to @TheView about her hospital visit — where she says she received an independent evaluation — and shares an update about her life under a guardianship. — The View (@TheView) March 14, 2025 During her 'The View' interview, Williams was also asked how she's keeping her spirits up at this time, to which she vented about the spiral her life has gone down. 'I am a college-educated woman,' she started. 'I'm a global, international person, from radio to television. I've been doing important things all of my life. And these two people [the judge and her guardian] don't look like me, they don't dress like me, they don't talk like me, they don't act like me. And, I venture to say, they will never be me.' Williams concluded, 'I need a new guardian.' This is one of a few recent instances where the host has been vocal about grappling with her conservatorship — which limits her autonomy in making financial, medical and personal decisions — and how it's jolted her world. In January, Williams told Power 105.1's 'The Breakfast Club,' 'I feel like I am in prison,' referring to the wellness facility where she's been living. Williams repeated similar rhetoric in February when TMZ released a Tubi documentary called 'Saving Wendy,' where she spoke about feeling like a 'prisoner' behind the glass of her facility. Williams seemingly alluded to that disheartening revelation while speaking to 'The View,' as she noted that her recent hospital visit was because 'I just needed a breath of fresh air.' These days, Williams sounds more clear-headed about her life restrictions following Lifetime's controversial 'Where Is Wendy Williams?' docuseries, which was accused of blatantly exploiting Williams' deteriorating health at the time for entertainment's sake. Now that the host is reclaiming her voice and declaring war against her conservatorship, more and more people are starting to listen. The result? The emergence of a #FreeWendy movement. The hashtag has gained steam among supporters online in the last few months as Williams continues to voice her guardianship hardships, which are hauntingly similar to what Britney Spears experienced as she fought to get out of her own conservatorship in 2021. IRL, Williams co-signed the fan-led movement, calling it 'fabulous,' though it seems like she's still a ways away from getting her freedom. TMZ reported that Williams signed legal documents to terminate her conservatorship last month, though it remains unclear if or when that'll happen. Williams' advocate, Ginalisa Monterroso, recently told the outlet that things are still up in the air pending more health tests, but if things go well, the host could be moved to a 'less restricted environment.' With more developments expected, Williams has a long battle ahead of her. Even still, she told Good Day New York that getting out of her guardianship is 'my No. 1 most important thing.' But others are prioritizing her fight, too. On Wednesday, per Page Six, Brock Pierce, a bitcoin billionaire and former child actor, offered the talk show host shelter at one of his mansions to receive 'around-the-clock hospital care' as she continues her pursuit. 'I have always admired Wendy's strength,' he shared in a statement, 'and when I saw her ask for help, it was impossible to ignore.' On Instagram, Pierce added: 'Wendy has given so much to the world as both a woman and an entertainer. Years ago, I had the privilege of being a guest on her radio show, and now I want to extend a helping hand to an old friend in her time of need.' More public support, outrage and the stamp of #FreeWendy could have a powerful impact on Williams' case, just like the #FreeBritney movement had on Spears'. If nothing else, it puts more eyeballs on the issue of celebrity conservatorships. At most, it could ensure that Williams' legacy of being a revolutionary force in radio and daytime television doesn't live in vain. The pop culture icon is at least owed that. Subscribe to The Culture Catchall to stay up to date on all things entertainment. Audience Member Sheds Light On Wendy Williams' Condition After Taping Of 'View' Interview Wendy Williams Drops 'Help' Note From Facility Window Wendy Williams Says She's Being Held 'Hostage,' Denies Cognitive Impairment
