Reality TV fans know that sometimes the real drama happens off-camera.
That was definitely the case with Yulissa Escobar, a contestant on Love Island USA Season 7, who was quietly removed from the show early on after controversy from her past came to light.
Yulissa’s Past Slurs Spark Outrage and Early Exit
Yulissa, 27, didn’t even make it through the second episode before producers pulled her from the villa — and the rest of the cast hadn’t even woken up yet.
The reason? Clips had emerged online showing her using the N-word in conversations about her ex-boyfriends.
The footage popped up on Reddit and quickly sparked anger among fans, many of whom flooded her Instagram demanding she be voted off immediately.
Yulissa’s Public Apology on Instagram
After the backlash, Yulissa broke her silence on Instagram with a heartfelt apology titled, Owning my mistakes, speaking my truth.
She acknowledged the racial slurs she used years ago and admitted she hadn’t fully understood the hurt and history tied to the word at the time.
She said she never meant to cause offense but recognized that intention doesn’t erase impact.
She went on to say she has grown and learned a lot since then—not just about language, but about how to respect others’ experiences.
Yulissa took full responsibility for her actions and spoke directly to those who were hurt, apologizing sincerely.
Confusion and Criticism Over Casting Process
Fans weren’t just upset with Yulissa—they questioned how the show’s producers missed this during casting.
On Reddit, some users pointed out that if fans could dig up the clips in days, surely the casting team should have found them too.
Comments speculated whether the production team was careless or deliberately overlooked the issue.
Fellow Islanders React and The Villa Moves On
As the cast woke up, narrator Iain Stirling announced Yulissa’s departure with the simple line: “Yulissa has left the villa.”
Her partner Ace Greene was left single, adjusting to the sudden change.
Meanwhile, social media reactions were overwhelmingly celebratory among fans who felt the show had taken a firm stand.
Comments like “Love Island stood on business and I love that” showed support for the decision.
Yulissa’s Social Media Before the Fallout
Interestingly, just a day before she was axed, Yulissa was actively promoting her spot on the show, posting confidently about her “unapologetic year” and encouraging followers to vote for her.
The contrast between her upbeat posts and the fallout was striking.
Other Controversies and The Season Ahead
Yulissa isn’t the only contestant stirring controversy this season.
Austin Shepard, another islander, has faced criticism for liking pro-Donald Trump content on TikTok, yet he remains in the villa.
What’s Next for Love Island USA Season 7
The current crop of contestants includes Chelley Bissainthe, Huda Mustafa, Belle-A Walker, Olandria Carthen, Ace Greene, Taylor Williams, Nicolas Vansteenberghe, and Jeremiah Brown.
The show also introduced two new “bombshell” Islanders, Cierra Ortega and Charlie Georgiou, whose job is to shake up existing relationships and add twists to the drama.
How Love Island USA Works
For those new to the format, Love Island USA is a spinoff of the UK original where singles live together in a villa for about two months.
The contestants couple up based on attraction, and fans get to vote for their favorites, influencing how the season unfolds.
The prize for surviving the love rollercoaster? A $100,000 cash reward.