Yulissa Escobar, a contestant from Season Seven of Love Island USA, has been removed from the show after only one episode due to significant online backlash following the resurfacing of past podcast appearances where she used a racial slur multiple times. Responding to the controversy, producers announced her departure at the beginning of episode two, as narrator Iain Stirling confirmed, “Yulissa has left the villa.”
Following the exposure of her comments, Escobar’s social media channels have been inundated with negative responses from viewers, many of whom expressed their intentions to vote her out of the competition. During her time on Love Island, contestants do not have access to social media or outside news, highlighting the shock of her comments as the show features current contestants, including two Black women and three Black men, who would have been interacting with her in the villa.
This incident is part of a broader trend in reality television where producers are increasingly held accountable for addressing inappropriate behavior. For instance, earlier this year, Big Brother expelled contestant Luke Valentine after he used the N-word on the live feed, demonstrating a growing expectation from audiences that producers take swift action against such misconduct.
This season of Love Island will be closely watched, especially after the significant success of the previous season, which launched several contestants into social media fame. The pressure for participants to adhere to social norms has increased, especially as viewers develop strong parasocial relationships with them.
Another contestant, Austin Shepard, has also come under scrutiny after allegations surfaced regarding his social media interactions that suggest support for Donald Trump, but he remains in the villa for now. With Escobar’s exit, the door is now open for a new contestant to join the season and create fresh dynamics among the remaining islanders, who include Chelley Bissainthe, Huda Mustafa, Belle-A Walker, and others.
This turn of events emphasizes the need for producers to maintain a careful vetting process to prevent similar controversies in the future and prioritize a respectful environment for all contestants. As viewers anticipate new developments in the villa, there is hope that the remaining contestants will continue to foster a positive atmosphere for themselves and their audience.