Love Island USA’s Yulissa Escobar Breaks Silence on Controversial Exit, Addresses Racism Scandal
Love Island USA star Yulissa Escobar has publicly clarified the circumstances of her abrupt exit from Season 7, following backlash over resurfaced clips of her using a racial slur. The 27-year-old reality TV contestant shared her account via TikTok on Thursday, dispelling rumors about her removal and addressing the fallout.
“Plot twist: I wasn’t dragged out in the dark. I walked out in broad daylight, head high, lashes on,” Escobar asserted, recounting her departure from the Fiji-based villa. While she acknowledged contractual limitations on disclosing full details, she emphasized that producers intervened mid-filming after a controversial video surfaced.
According to Escobar, the day began routinely, with castmate Ace Greene preparing breakfast as the pair planned to “spice things up” by organizing a game of spin the bottle. Production staff later summoned her to remove her microphone, leaving her initially fearing a family emergency. “They said a video resurfaced online, and it wasn’t looking good,” she recalled. “I didn’t know what video—I was panicking.”
Escobar, an original cast member eliminated by Episode 2, clarified she only grasped the severity days later upon regaining her phone. The video in question featured her using a racial slur during a past podcast appearance. “I said a word I shouldn’t have. I wish I could take it back,” she said, issuing a public apology. “I can’t undo it, but I’m truly sorry.”
Her exit, briefly addressed by narrator Iain Stirling on-air, sparked fan speculation—including memes about a dramatic nighttime removal—which she aimed to counter with her account. Fellow contestant Jeremiah Brown later confirmed the villa received minimal explanation, noting producers cited “personal reasons” without details.
Peacock’s Love Island USA airs new episodes six days weekly, excluding Wednesdays. Escobar’s candid reflection underscores ongoing debates about accountability and transparency in reality TV, as the franchise navigates its latest controversy.