'Love Island USA': A new racial-slur scandal rocks the villa ahead of the season premiere
Key takeaways
- Vasana Montgomery, a beauty technician based in Beaverton, Ore., will no longer appear in the newest season of “Love Island USA,” The Times confirmed on Monday.
- Montgomery is the latest “Love Island USA” star to face backlash over racial slurs.
- ‘Love Island USA’ contestant Yulissa Escobar leaves the show less than 20 minutes into the second episode.
Vasana Montgomery is the third “Love Island USA” contestant in two years to face backlash for using a racial slur. (Peacock) By Alexandra Del Rosario Staff Writer Contact June 1, 2026 4:45 PM PT Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X Linked In Threads Reddit Whats App Copy Link URL Copied! Print “Love Island USA” has dismissed one of its contestants ahead of its season premiere on Tuesday. Vasana Montgomery is the third contestant in two years to face backlash for apparently using a racial slur. p]:text-cms-story-body-color-text clearfix mb-10 md:max-w-170 md:mx-auto" data-subscriber-content> “Love Island USA” will be one bombshell short heading into its newest season on Tuesday, as the series finds itself mired in yet another scandal over a racial slur.
Vasana Montgomery, a beauty technician based in Beaverton, Ore., will no longer appear in the newest season of “Love Island USA,” The Times confirmed on Monday. The Peacock reality TV series parted ways with Montgomery days after unveiling its cast of incoming “Islanders.” She faces scrutiny for apparently using the N-word in videos that recently resurfaced on social media.
Montgomery is the latest “Love Island USA” star to face backlash over racial slurs. Last year, contestant Cierra Ortega prematurely left the villa as she faced criticism for her past social media posts that included a slur for Chinese (and, more generally, Asian) people. A month before that, contestant Yulissa Escobar was out by the season’s second episode amid social media outcry over her use of the N-word.