Step 1 in making it big in today’s day and age: don’t say or do anything on camera or in print that will get you fired. Unfortunately, for one of the original 10 islanders on season 7 of Love Island USA, I guess she didn’t get that memo. (FWIW, not saying offensive shit is also cool to do just for aura points, but saying it into a microphone when you know you’re thirsty to be famous is particularly unhinged.)
Islander Yulissa Escobar seemed bright and bubbly in her opening package, mentioning how she’d been heartbroken by a man she was in a long-term relationship with, and that’s why she was hoping Ariana Madix and the Love Island gods could help her find love. But videos of Islander Yulissa Escobar casually dropping a racial slur on multiple podcast episodes went viral the same day Yulissa, who identifies as Latina, started filming in Fiji. And now, just like that, Yulissa has left the island, thanks to Peacock stepping in to stop this situation from getting any messier. Here are the disappointing yet not surprising details on why Yulissa Escobar allegedly got fired from Love Island.
UPDATE: Yulissa Escobar’s Response To Love Island Backlash
Yulissa posted a custom infographic with the quote “owning my mistakes and speaking my truth” attributed to herself. The caption acknowledged it was Yulissa, “in those clips,” using “a word I never should’ve used, a racial slur.” Even though Yulissa explained she was “speaking casually in conversation, not thinking deeply or critically about what [she] was saying” and she “wasn’t trying to be offensive or harmful,” she now recognizes “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.” She finished her statement by acknowledging that “growth means recognizing when you were wrong, even if it’s uncomfortable, and choosing to move forward with humility and accountability” and that she doesn’t co-sign others speaking for her or fake statements not representing her true feelings.
What happened to Yulissa Escobar on Love Island?
At the top of episode 2 of Love Island USA season 7, Iain Sterling slips the line, “Welcome back to Love Island USA, Yulissa has left the Villa.” Yulissa did not get to say goodbye, and none of the Islanders addressed her departure. And with that, Ace is left single, and the audience is left with little explanation until you do a little digging online. Fans believe that there is a connection between problematic videos of Yulissa resurfacing online and Yulissa being asked to leave the show, though Peacock has yet to confirm the allegation.
When did Yulissa leave Love Island?
Peacock announced that Yulissa had left Fiji on day 2 of season 7, so that was quick!
Why did Yulissa Escobar get kicked off Love Island?
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Videos surfaced of Yulissa using the racial slur on multiple occasions while podcasting. (And yes, the videos appear to be relatively recent.) When the internet got ahold of these clips, the backlash comments started flooding in on the Love Island USA Instagram account, threatening to vote Yulissa out and demanding the producers take action. With Yulissa now gone on day 2, many fans wrote messages like: “Update: WE WON SHE’S GONE!” and “Love Island stood on business and I love that.”
Previously, TMZ reported one of Yulissa’s friends wrote, “lol… y’all act like you never said the N word before, stop being so f***ing sensitive” online, as shared by TMZ. Ummm… I’d love to hold this person’s hand when I tell them so many people have, in fact, not said racial slurs for fun before.
TBH, Peacock made the right call. Love Island is an escapist paradise we wait for every damn summer that encourages sloppy behavior — when it comes to making out and crossing lines Casa Amor. But it’s not a platform with the purpose of tackling centuries of racial injustice, so it would make sense if Yulissa has been dismissed so that the rest of the cast can keep partying on without the daunting task of unpacking her baggage.
Love Island USA Cast Response To Yulissa Leaving
After exiting the Villa for being dumped by Nick, Belle-A shared in an interview with Vulture that Yulissa left in a hurry. The cast didn’t get much more explanation than the viewers at home, apparently, as Belle-A tells it. “The producers came in and they told us that she had to go. They didn’t give us any details. We all had questions, but they basically gave us a couple of minutes to talk about how much we were gonna miss her and then move on from it, which was definitely difficult.”
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The other islanders didn’t get to say goodbye, either, which was sad for them and their new friend. Still, Belle-A added that the show had to go on, and that’s so real!
Topics: Entertainment, Love Island, Reality TV, Scandals, Viral News
Marissa Dow