The newest season of Love Island USA has barely begun and is already facing controversy. Contestant Yulissa Escobar was suddenly removed from the show in its second episode, which aired on June 4. The show’s narrator, Iain Stirling, briefly noted her exit without any elaboration or the usual elimination process. This swift and unceremonious departure deviated from the usual format, where contestants leave through public votes or decisions by fellow Islanders.
History Repeats as Controversial Contestants Vanish Without Explanation, Stirring Fan Speculation Again
Escobar’s abrupt departure isn’t the first time a contestant has mysteriously disappeared from the villa. In previous seasons, Islanders like Noah Purvis (Season 2), Leslie Golden (Season 3), and Kyle Fraser (Season 4) also exited with little or no on-screen explanation. These contestants later turned to social media to share their side of the story. The producers’ continued silence on such sudden departures has fueled speculation and criticism among fans.
Love Island USA Sparks Outrage After Yulissa Escobar’s Sudden Exit Without Explanation in Season 7Escobar was already a figure of controversy before Season 7 even began. The 27-year-old businesswoman from Miami faced significant backlash online after old podcast clips resurfaced, which she was heard using a racial slur targeting Black people. This revelation ignited outrage among viewers, many of whom vowed to vote her off once they had the chance. However, they were denied the opportunity when Escobar was quietly removed early in the season.
Sudden Exit Leaves Greene Single as Love Island Drama Fuels Viewer Engagement Online
Despite being coupled with 22-year-old Los Angeles native Ace Greene, Escobar had little time to establish herself in the villa. Just 20 minutes into the episode, Stirling’s understated announcement—”Yulissa has left the villa”—confirmed her departure. The removal cut short any potential storyline or redemption arc, leaving Greene newly single and available to recouple with other contestants in the tropical Fiji villa where the show is filmed.
Love Island USA, modeled after its successful British counterpart, continues to thrive, especially following a well-received Season 6. With new episodes streaming nightly on Peacock at 9 p.m. ET, the show remains a hotbed for real-time online engagement. The blend of steamy romances and dramatic twists keeps viewers hooked, and off-screen controversies like Escobar’s exit only add to the conversation. As always, the audience remains a vocal part of the show’s unfolding drama.