Yulissa Escobar is breaking her silence. The 27-year-old Love Island USA contestant has finally addressed resurfaced podcast clips in which she used racial slurs – videos that likely led to her abrupt exit from the villa in Season 7, Episode 2.
On June 6, the Miami, Florida, native posted an official statement to her Instagram account, where she addressed the allegations against her and apologized for using the N-word.
“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,” she began. “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.”
The former Islander continued, “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,” she added. “Growth means recognizing when you were wrong, even if it’s uncomfortable, and choosing to move forward with humility and accountability.”
The statement concluded, “There have also been fake statements circulating, things written or said by others that don’t reflect me or my heart. I want to clarify that this is my voice and my words. I don’t need anyone to speak for me. I’m choosing to speak for myself because I take full ownership of my actions. Do not listen to the fake statements. This is my official statement. This is me, speaking directly to you. To those who are disappointed or offended, I understand and I apologize. I am sorry.”
On May 29, Escobar was revealed as one of the Season 7 cast members alongside nine other singles heading to Fiji to compete on the popular reality dating show, which airs six days a week on Peacock.
However, eighteen minutes into Episode 2, the show’s narrator Iain Stirling said that Yulissa was gone. “Welcome back to Love Island USA. Yulissa has left the villa,” he said, hinting that she may have been removed in the middle of the night.
Oddly, there was no further explanation – and the announcement was so casual that some viewers didn’t even notice until the end of the episode during the recoupling.
Adding to the confusion, there was no acknowledgment of Yulissa’s absence from the other Islanders or her new partner, Ace Greene, whom she had just coupled up with the night before. “Ace is single now! Who should he chat up next?” read a new poll posted during the episode on the show’s app.
Why Did Yulissa Leave Love Island USA Season 7?
While Peacock has yet to provide an explanation for Yulissa’s exit, several news outlets reported that, following the cast announcement, videos resurfaced online showing Escobar allegedly using racial slurs – possibly prompting producers to remove her from the show.
According to TMZ, Yulissa reportedly used the N-word on two separate podcasts while discussing past relationships. The clips went viral on social media ahead of the Season 7 premiere, and in response, Love Island fans vowed to vote her out once submissions opened through the show’s official app.
The series films almost in real time with a one- to two-day delay, so it’s very possible that after seeing the controversial videos, producers made the decision to pull Yulissa.
After realizing Yulissa was gone, fans flooded the contestant’s Instagram comments and took to social media platforms like TikTok and X to express relief that she was no longer on the show, noting they didn’t have to vote her out themselves.
“This girl on the internet saying the N word.. loud and proud. what kind of vetting did yall do producers???” one comment read.
“the fact that we didn’t even get the privilege to vote her off gets me mad but hey a win is a win 🤣 they really said y’all want her off you got it!” added another user on Instagram.
“I’m gone always support Love Island. They really listened to the uproars of the country . We didn’t even have to vote Yulissa off. Amen,” another viewer wrote on X.
The remaining Islanders on Season 7 include main cast members Chelley Bissainthe, Huda Mustafa, Belle-A Walker, Olandria Carthen, Ace Greene, Taylor Williams, Nicolas Vansteenberghe, and Jeremiah Brown, along with two new bombshells, Cierra Ortega and Charlie Georgiou. Former Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix returned as host for her second season.
Love Island USA airs daily, except Wednesdays, at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock.
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