Love Island USA Removes Yulissa Escobar Amid Racist Slur Backlash

Yulissa Escobar was abruptly removed from Season 7 of Love Island USA shortly after the second episode, with the show’s narrator announcing, "Yulissa has left the villa," without further explanation. Her sudden exit follows the resurfacing of clips from a November 2024 podcast in which she used the N-word multiple times, sparking widespread outrage and calls for her removal from fans and viewers. While producers have not officially linked her departure to the controversy, many speculate the show acted preemptively amid fan backlash and rumors of interpersonal conflicts within the villa. Escobar had been coupled with Ace Greene before leaving and has not publicly addressed the allegations, likely due to contestants' lack of phone access during filming. Social media reactions were mixed, with some celebrating her exit and others criticizing the show’s casting process and delayed response to her digital footprint. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about vetting reality TV contestants and the impact of past behavior on public reputation.