By Amy Adams, Love Island Superfan
Oh, Love Island USA fans, the Season 7 villa was supposed to be all about steamy connections and Fiji sunsets, but instead, it served up a storm of controversy that’s still got us shook. From resurfaced racial slurs to vicious online attacks on Black women contestants, Season 7 exposed ugly truths about racism in both the show and its fandom. Contestants like Cierra Ortega and Yulissa Escobar were axed over past offensive posts, while Olandria Carthen and Chelley Bissainthe faced disproportionate hate, including a horrifying George Floyd edit. With over 17,000 fans signing a petition to remove Ortega and Instagram ablaze with reactions, the question is: Are producers or toxic fans to blame? As a Love Island stan, I’m diving deep into the drama, breaking down what happened, why it matters, and what’s next for our fave reality show. Grab your villa cocktail and let’s unpack this mess!
The Scandals That Rocked the Villa
Season 7, which premiered June 3, 2025, on Peacock, promised love but delivered chaos. Early on, Yulissa Escobar was booted after just two episodes when podcast clips surfaced of her using the N-word, as reported by TMZ and Variety. Narrator Iain Stirling announced, “Yulissa has left the villa,” with no explanation, leaving fans to dig for answers. Instagram comments under @loveislandusa exploded: “Good riddance, Yulissa. No place for that on #LoveIslandUSA!” But others questioned the casting process, with one user writing, “How did producers miss this? Do better, Peacock! 😡.”
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Then came Cierra Ortega, a fan-favorite bombshell who entered in episode one. Old Instagram posts resurfaced where she used an anti-Asian slur to describe her eyes, sparking a petition with over 17,300 signatures demanding her exit, per Newsweek. By episode 30, she was gone, cited as leaving “due to a personal situation.” Her parents posted on her Instagram (@cierra.ortega), calling it “one of the most painful weeks of our lives” and begging for compassion amid “threats and cruel messages.” Fans were divided—@loveislandusa comments ranged from “Cierra deserved to go. Words have consequences! #LoveIslandUSA” to “The hate went too far. She apologized, move on! 😢.”
Black Women Targeted: The Fandom’s Dark Side
The contestant scandals were only half the story. Black women like Olandria Carthen and Chelley Bissainthe faced brutal online hate, especially after a group challenge where Huda Mustafa was painted as a victim. During the Heart Rate Challenge, Chelley accused Huda of being overly sexual with her partner, Ace Greene, leading to tension. Fans labeled Chelley and Olandria “mean girls,” while Huda got sympathy. The backlash escalated horrifically when fans edited Olandria’s face onto a George Floyd image—a Black man killed by police in 2020—prompting outrage at the Season 7 reunion on August 25, 2025.
At the reunion, Olandria and Chelley, per The Queen’s Journal, broke down over the hate, with Olandria saying, “I wished [Huda] had called off the fans.” Instagram comments under @loveislandusa’s reunion post were split: “Olandria and Chelley didn’t deserve THAT level of hate. Fans went too far! 😢 #LoveIslandUSA.” Another user countered, “They were shady to Huda. Fans just reacted! #Reunion.” The disproportionate vitriol toward Black women sparked debate about racial bias in the fandom, echoing issues in Love Island UK (see our Love Island USA vs. UK comparison).
Were Producers to Blame?
Critics, including The Queen’s Journal and Business Insider, slammed producers for shoddy vetting. How did Yulissa’s podcast clips and Cierra’s Instagram posts slip through? An insider told The Sun (via Collider), “We should have done better at making sure everything was clear… from public appearances to social media posts.” After Season 7, producers vowed a casting overhaul for Season 8, with stricter social media checks to avoid “racist, sexist, or offensive” behavior. Fans on Instagram (@peacock) weren’t impressed: “Producers cast for drama, not morals. Fix it! #LoveIslandUSA.”
But it’s not just vetting. The show’s influencer-heavy casting—think models and TikTokers like Cierra—fuels perceptions it’s more about fame than love. The Los Angeles Times noted that racism in Latino communities, like Cierra and Yulissa’s, often goes unchecked, and their ignorance of slurs’ impact reflects broader cultural issues. Our beginner’s guide to Love Island USA dives into how the show’s influencer pivot shapes its vibe.
Toxic Fandom or Accountability Gone Wrong?
The fandom’s role can’t be ignored. Rolling Stone and USA Today called out Season 7’s toxic fan culture, where “keyboard warriors” cloaked harassment as accountability. Cierra’s family faced death threats and ICE calls, per MSNBC, which she, of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent, said stemmed from anti-immigrant hate. Olandria and Chelley’s treatment, including the George Floyd edit, showed how fans weaponized racism under the guise of justice. Instagram comments under @loveislandusa’s posts reflected this: “Calling out racism is fine, but death threats? Too far. #LoveIslandUSA.” Another user wrote, “Fans are hypocrites—mad at slurs but bullying Black women. 😡.”
Love Island’s parasocial nature—daily episodes, app voting—fuels this intensity. Unlike Season 6’s Serena and Kordell, who won hearts, Season 7’s fan wars turned vicious. NPR noted the show’s diversity (five Black contestants in episode one) was a step forward, but the fandom’s bias against Black women, like Chelley and Olandria, exposed real-world prejudice. Want to compare seasons? Our Nic and Olandria VMA breakdown shows how some Season 7 stars thrived post-villa.
Fan Poll: Who’s most to blame for Season 7’s controversies?
- Producers for bad vetting
- Fans for toxic behavior
- Both equally
Drop your vote in the comments or on Instagram with #LoveIslandStarPoll!
What’s Next for Love Island USA?
Season 7’s scandals put Love Island USA at a crossroads. Peacock called it their most-watched season, per Rolling Stone, but the racism backlash risks alienating fans. Producers are planning stricter casting for Season 8, but can they curb toxic fandom? Host Ariana Madix, in an AP News interview, urged fans to stop cyberbullying, citing mental health support for islanders. Meanwhile, stars like Nic and Olandria are moving on (see their VMA slay), and Huda’s making waves (read our Huda Mustafa NFL Tush Push article).
Fans on Instagram (@loveislandusa) are hopeful: “Season 8 better learn from this. More diversity, less drama! #LoveIslandUSA.” Others are skeptical: “Producers love the chaos. Don’t expect change. 😒.” Will Love Island bounce back, or is it doomed to repeat Season 7’s mistakes? Share your predictions below!
Image Suggestion: Place a screenshot of Olandria and Chelley at the Season 7 reunion (credit: Peacock) here.
Why This Matters for Fans
These controversies hit hard because Love Island USA is more than a dating show—it’s a cultural mirror. Season 7’s scandals, from slurs to fandom hate, reflect real-world issues we can’t ignore. As fans, we love the drama, but at what cost? Stay in the loop with our Love Island Star newsletter for updates on Season 8 and beyond. Got thoughts on the drama? Tag us on Instagram (@love_islandstar) or comment below!
