The new season of reality TV juggernaut Love Island USA barely had time to break in its bikinis before the first scandal hit. Less than twenty minutes into episode two, Peacock cut the cord on original Islander Yulissa Escobar. No drawn-out drama, no teary goodbye—just a statement and she was gone.
The network confirmed her exit but kept the details tight. The why, however, was already playing out online.
Not long after the cast was revealed on May 29, social media sleuths unearthed clips of Escobar using the N-word during appearances on two separate podcasts. TMZ was the first to report it. Reaction was swift and sharp, with fans calling for her removal and pledging to vote her off the show once public voting opened.
Turns out they didn’t have to wait.
Escobar had just made her opening move—choosing to couple up with Ace Greene during the premiere. The problem? Greene was already paired with Chelley Bissainthe. Escobar’s decision stirred up friction in the villa, stepping hard on the toes of the other women before the real game had even begun.
Now, just days into Season 7, she’s out.
The cast—rounded out by Greene, Bissainthe, Jeremiah Brown, Nicolas Vansteenberghe, Taylor Williams, Austin Shepard, Belle-A Walker, Huda Mustafa, and Olandria Carthen—is left to play on without her. And so far, they’re doing it in typical Love Island fashion: under the sun, in swimwear, and always on edge.
As for the show itself, it had a rocky start. The June 3 premiere was delayed by nearly an hour. Peacock didn’t offer much more than a vague “stay tuned” before eventually getting it on air.
Now, with the first controversy in the rearview, the question is simple: how long until the next one?
Love Island USA is now streaming on Peacock.
Last modified: June 5, 2025
