News Summary
The premiere of Season 7 of Love Island USA on Peacock has been marred by controversy surrounding contestant Yulissa Escobar’s past use of racial slurs. Escobar’s exit from the villa followed backlash from social media after old podcast clips resurfaced. Host Ariana Madix oversees 10 singles competing for a $100,000 cash prize. Despite calls for her removal, Escobar remains in the villa while contestants cannot communicate with the outside world. The season also introduces new contestants and interactive voting for fans through the official app.
Los Angeles, CA – The highly anticipated Season 7 of Love Island USA premiered on June 3, 2023, on Peacock, but the debut was overshadowed by controversy surrounding contestant Yulissa Escobar. The show features 10 new singles competing for a $100,000 cash prize, with popular television personality Ariana Madix taking on the host role this season.
Just days after the show’s launch, Yulissa Escobar exited the villa following the resurfacing of past podcast clips in which she used racial slurs, including the N-word. Narrator Iain Stirling announced Escobar’s departure during the second episode, specifically around the 18-minute mark. At the time of her exit, she was coupled with Ace Greene, who subsequently confirmed his single status on social media.
Escobar’s departure has ignited a wave of backlash on social media platforms, as numerous fans expressed outrage over her remarks. Many have vowed to use the official Love Island app to vote her off the show, reflecting a strong sentiment against her presence among the islanders. As of now, Escobar remains in the villa, where contestants are prohibited from using personal cell phones, limiting her ability to address the allegations publicly.
The remaining islanders include:
- Chelley Bissainthe, 27, Orlando, FL, Day Trader
- Huda Mustafa, 27, Decatur, AL, Elevator and Escalator Industry Professional
- Belle-A Walker, 24, Raleigh, NC, Fitness Coach
- Olandria Carthen, 22, Honolulu, HI, Barista
- Ace Greene, 22, Los Angeles, CA, Dancer/Content Creator
- Taylor Williams, 24, Jacksonville, FL, Registered Nurse/Model
- Nicolas Vansteenberghe, 24, Oklahoma City, OK, Model/Vet student
- Jeremiah Brown, 25, Seattle, WA, Model/Caterer
- Austin Shepard, 26, Northville, MI, Pool Cleaner
Another contestant, Austin Shepard, has also faced scrutiny online due to alleged TikTok interactions that appear to support former President Donald Trump. Despite this backlash, he remains a participant in the season.
The season kicked off with the introduction of two new contestants, known as “bombshells,” Cierra Ortega and Charlie Georgiou, who joined the villa during the premiere episode. They participated in a blindfold kissing challenge that added an element of excitement and unpredictability to the opening moments of the season.
New episodes of Love Island USA are set to be released daily from June 3 through June 8, with future episodes scheduled to drop from Thursdays to Tuesdays each week, excluding Wednesdays. This format allows viewers to follow the unfolding drama and romantic connections among the contestants actively.
Fans have the opportunity to vote for their favorite couples via the official Love Island app, which is an integral part of the show’s interactive format, further enhancing viewer engagement in this reality TV phenomenon.
As this season progresses, viewers will undoubtedly continue to discuss and react to the significant controversies and relationships developing in the villa, making it a summer to remember in the world of reality television.
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Additional Resources
- Hollywood Reporter: Love Island USA Season 7 – Yulissa Escobar Exits Show
- USA Today: Love Island USA Season 7
- AZCentral: What Nights Does Love Island USA Come On?
- Wikipedia: Love Island (American TV series)
- Palm Beach Post: How to Watch Love Island USA
Author: STAFF HERE NORTHVILLE WRITER
The NORTHVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENorthville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Northville, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Summer Concert Series, Tunes on Tuesday, and the Northville Farmers Market. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Northville Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, software, and retail that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Reliable Software, and Attendance on Demand. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
