Love Island Star Loses Major Beauty Deal After Livestream Backlash
Popular cosmetics brand Huda Beauty has officially severed ties with Love Island USA Season 7 contestant Huda Mustafa following a controversial livestream incident that involved a racial slur directed at her fellow castmate. The brand announced the decision on Instagram on October 31, marking a swift and decisive response to the controversy that erupted on social media just days earlier.
The 25-year-old reality star now faces the professional consequences of an incident that has sparked widespread outrage across the reality television community and beyond.
What Happened During The Livestream
The controversy stems from a livestream where Mustafa and her boyfriend Louis Russell, who appeared on Too Hot To Handle, received a phone call in which an anonymous caller used the N-word while apparently referring to Mustafa’s Love Island USA co-star Olandria Carthen. The pair appeared shocked before giggling at the moment and hanging up, with Huda adding “They said a bad word” .
The footage quickly went viral across social media platforms, with fans and fellow reality stars condemning the couple’s reaction as inappropriate and insensitive. What might have seemed like an awkward moment on camera became a full-blown scandal within hours, demonstrating how quickly social media can amplify controversial content.
Huda Beauty Takes Firm Stance
In their statement shared on Instagram, Huda Beauty said one of its recent collaborators had “displayed behaviour that does not align with our values,” confirming that all content featuring Mustafa would be removed from the company’s social media and in-store promotions.
The brand stated: “We are truly disappointed by Huda Mustafa’s recent live and we take all forms of racism very seriously. While we don’t believe her actions reflect her character, we found them deeply upsetting. We know that many members of our community and team were hurt and offended by these actions”.
The company emphasized that “accountability is incredibly important in moments like this” and expressed hope that “meaningful change can come from it” . This decisive action reflects the increasing pressure on brands to respond quickly and firmly to controversies involving their partners and ambassadors.
The beauty giant’s swift response has been praised by many social media users who commended the company for prioritizing accountability over maintaining a potentially lucrative partnership.
Huda’s Apology Falls Short
In her explanation following the incident, Mustafa claimed that both she and Russell only heard the racial slur but did not realize the caller was referring to Olandria, adding that she did not know who the caller.
She later issued an apology stating: “Olandria — it is now clear that this comment was targeted at you, and I apologize for my immediate reaction. My reaction in that moment came from being caught off guard, not from finding the word or situation funny. It was a nervous, uncomfortable reaction that I recognize was inappropriate.
Mustafa also announced she was making a personal donation to the NAACP and encouraged her followers to do the same. However, the apology appears to have come too late to salvage her partnership with the influential beauty brand.
The Wider Impact On Reality TV Culture
This incident highlights a broader conversation about accountability in the reality television world. Love Island stars, who gain massive followings and lucrative brand deals after their villa stays, are increasingly held to higher standards by both fans and corporate partners. As other Love Island contestants have learned, it’s always important to watch what you say and how you act around racism and derogatory language.
The controversy also demonstrates the power dynamics at play when brands and influencers collaborate. Companies like Huda Beauty, founded by makeup mogul Huda Kattan, have built their reputations on inclusivity and community values. When partners act in ways that contradict those principles, brands face intense pressure to respond decisively or risk damage to their own reputations.
What This Means For Huda Mustafa’s Career
The termination of the Huda Beauty partnership represents a significant professional blow for Mustafa, who had secured the collaboration shortly after her Love Island USA appearance. Brand partnerships are often the most lucrative opportunities for reality stars post-show, and losing a major deal with a globally recognized beauty brand sends a clear message to the industry.
This isn’t the first time Huda has faced backlash, as she also faced criticism for how she acted on Love Island USA Just Jared, suggesting a pattern of controversial behavior that may make other brands hesitant to work with her going forward.
The Bottom Line
The swift action taken by Huda Beauty sets a precedent for how brands should respond when their partners display problematic behavior. In an era where social media amplifies every misstep, reality stars must recognize that their actions carry real-world consequences that extend far beyond viral moments. For Huda Mustafa, this expensive lesson in accountability may serve as a turning point—whether she can rebuild her reputation and career remains to be seen, but the damage to her professional prospects is undeniable.
As the dust settles on this controversy, it serves as a reminder to all influencers and reality personalities: in the age of instant virality, every livestream, every reaction, and every moment matters.
