Love Island USA to make ‘major changes to casting process’ after Cierra and Yulissa ‘fired’ for resurfaced racist posts

LOVE Island USA has plans to make major changes to the casting process moving forward after season 7 was plagued with racism scandals.

Yulissa Escobar and Cierra Ortega were both removed from the show after racist posts resurfaced on social media, while current cast member Huda Mustafa has recently been accused of seemingly “lip syncing” a racial slur. 

Peacock

Cierra Ortega was sent home a week before the finale[/caption]

Getty

The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal Love Island USA production plans to make their casting process more strict. 

An insider claimed to The U.S. Sun, “Starting next season, we are going to get some people working on looking way more into the social media presence and the articles, pictures and public things that potential contestants did before trying to get onto the show.

“We are going to hire more people to dig into people’s past and things they did in public and really brush out their social media and old posts to see if anything controversial came out of there. 

“We will be really digging way more and deeply in each participants past, and make sure that their ‘records’ are clean of racist, xenophobic or sexist words or behavior.

“If there is anything racist, sexist or offensive in there, the person won’t be allowed to be considered as a potential participant on the show. We can’t have any more situations where we deal with racist behavior.”

The source continued, “We are going to make some adjustments for the recruitment of new participants, in order to not have to deal with bad stuff like this, which has given a bad image to the show and to the brand.

“We absolutely cannot have another season like the one we are about to wrap up.”

The production source claimed the season has been “draining” because of the Yulissa and Cierra drama, as the situations were “heavy” for them to deal with.

“It breaks some of the dynamics of the show, and gives us a very bad image because we should have done better at making sure that everything was clear and nothing bad was done in their past, from public appearances to social media posts, etc…”

The insider insisted, “It won’t ever happen again starting next season, that is for sure. We are going to do everything to make sure participants are great people, and didn’t say bad things in their past.”

Getty

Producers plan to have a better casting process next season[/caption]

YULISSA OUT

Original cast member Yulissa Escobar was sent home after the first episode aired when a racial slur resurfaced on social media. 

She was heard saying the N-word on a podcast. 

Yulissa broke her silence on social media with an apology, as she wrote, “First, I want to apologize for using a word I had no right in using. Podcast clips from years ago have recently resurfaced, and I want to address it directly.

“In those clips, I used a word I never should’ve used, a racial slur. I used it ignorantly, not fully understanding the weight, history, or pain behind it. I wasn’t trying to be offensive or harmful, but I recognize now 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.

“At the time, I was speaking casually in conversation, not thinking deeply or critically about what I was saying. But that doesn’t take away from how wrong it was. The truth is, I didn’t know better then, but I do now. I’ve taken the time to reflect, to learn, and to grow from that moment.

“I’ve changed a lot since then, not just in how I speak, but in how I show up, how I carry myself, and how I honor the experiences of others. Growth means recognizing when you were wrong, even if it’s uncomfortable, and choosing to move forward with humility and accountability.”

She ended, “To those who are disappointed or offended, I understand and I apologize. I am sorry.”

She then posted how cancel culture is not “accountability” and is instead “online brutality,” as she has received death threats. 

Yulissa was coupled up with Ace Greene during her short time in the villa. 

CIERRA’S RACIST POST

Then just one week before the finale, Cierra was removed from the villa after an Instagram Story resurfaced of her using a racial slur. 

An Instagram Story allegedly from Cierra’s account resurfaced last week.

The post read, “Botox isn’t for everyone but I love it for me!!!

“I am incredibly expressive with my face and I catch myself frowning for no reason throughout the day when I’m focusing on something or thinking too hard lol.

“I can also be a little ch**ky when I laugh/smile so I love getting a mini brow lift to open up my eyes and get that snatched look.

“This is not me encouraging but more so sharing.”

After days of fans demanding she be sent home, she was removed from the villa off-camera on Sunday night’s episode. 

Narrator Iain Stirling said, “Cierra has left the villa due to a personal situation, leaving Nic officially single.”

Cierra was seen sleeping with Nic in bed and getting ready for the day on the episode, as fans speculated she was asked to leave after breakfast.

While Cierra has yet to personally address the scandal, her parents broke their silence in a post to their daughter’s Instagram page on Sunday.

“As Cierra’s parents, this has been one of the most painful weeks of our lives,” they said, before going on to slam the messages they were receiving from Love Island USA fans.

“We’re not here to justify or ignore what’s surfaced. We understand why people are upset, and we know accountability matters.

“But what’s happening online right now has gone far beyond that. The threats. The cruel messages. The attacks on her family, her friends, even her supporters, it’s heartbreaking. It’s uncalled for.

“And no one deserves that kind of hate, no matter what mistake they’ve made.”

They continued to ask fans for “compassion” and “patience” as they navigate the scandal’s aftermath.

The U.S. Sun previously reported producers held crisis meetings to decide whether or not to fire Cierra last week.

“We will hold a meeting to decide what we should do… but it doesn’t look great at all for Cierra as a lot of us want to take her out of the show as soon as possible,” the insider said.

“We kicked Yulissa out of the show at the beginning of the season because of racial slurs too. This kind of behavior and use of this kind of word is unacceptable, and we condemn all kinds of racism, discrimination and insults towards anyone.”

Cierra has not responded to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment regarding the racism claims.

HUDA’S DRAMA

Huda, who is still on the show, is the latest islander to be accused of using a racial slur. 

In a resurfaced video from her TikTok account, Huda lip syncs along to Elijah the Boy’s Over You.

The lyrics go, “Thought about running back to you that’s something I don’t really see. I been going on a rampage f**king everything I see.

“Tell that n**** that you cheated with that, that n**** ain’t me.”

But fans were divided over if Huda actually said the racial slur while lip syncing.

A rep for Huda did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment and the show has not addressed the latest scandal. 

Instagram/@hudabubbaaa

Huda has also been tied to a scandal, but remains on the show[/caption]

Getty

The Love Island USA finale airs on Sunday[/caption]