Vasana Montgomery was removed from the eighth season of Love Island USA just days before it premiered—without even stepping into the villa—after a video surfaced of her using a racial slur. Her dismissal echoes earlier departures tied to slur-related controver
The Love Island franchise doesn’t waste time when controversy hits—and this time, the decision came before the party ever started.
Vasana Montgomery was suddenly kicked out of the Villa for Love Island USA’s eighth season days before the premiere. and she didn’t even enter the show. The move followed the emergence of a video of her using a racial slur. At the time of publication, Vasana Montgomery had not released a public statement about her ousting.
Her exit landed at the same moment the franchise was gearing up to air its eighth season, turning what should have been pre-premiere excitement into a sudden scramble over accountability.
Earlier in Love Island USA’s run, similar slur-related controversies have led to cast members being removed. Yulissa Escobar was taken out of the Villa shortly after season 7 premiered in 2025. after a video of her using a racial slur emerged. In a 2025 statement. Yulissa wrote. “First. I want to apologize for using a word I had no right in using. ” adding that podcast clips from years ago had resurfaced. She said the word was used “ignorantly. ” that she hadn’t fully understood “the weight. history. or pain behind it. ” and that she recognized “intention doesn’t excuse impact.” She also wrote that “the impact of that word is real. ” tied to “generations of trauma. ” and that “it is not mine to use.”.
Cierra Ortega’s departure also came during season 7. She had to leave the Villa after a past incident surfaced involving her using an anti-Asian slur. She later apologized in a video posted to social media. “I want to first start by addressing. not just anyone that I have hurt or deeply offended. but most importantly. the entire Asian community. ” Cierra said. She described being “deeply. truly. honestly. so sorry. ” saying she “had no idea that the word held as much pain as much harm” and that it came with history she “never would have used.” She reiterated she had “no ill intention” but said. “But that’s absolutely no excuse. because intent doesn’t excuse ignorance.”.
The pattern is now hard to miss: when slur-related videos resurface, the show’s response is swift—even when the cast member hasn’t appeared yet on screen.
For Vasana Montgomery, the timeline has already moved past the announcement and into the exit. Just days after her casting was announced, she was removed from the eighth season ahead of the premiere after the racial slur video surfaced, and as of publication she hadn’t issued a public statement.
Love Island USA Vasana Montgomery season 8 kicked out of the villa racial slur Yulissa Escobar Cierra Ortega cast fired slur controversy
Wow so she got kicked out like instantly?? Love Island is ruthless.
I don’t even watch but I saw the clip going around… kinda messed up. But also how do they even find these videos before premiere? Like did someone dig deep or was it just random.
Wait did she actually use the slur on the show or like years ago? The article says it was a video but then talks about other seasons so I’m confused. Either way, if it’s real she should’ve known better, but I feel like they always do this right before the season starts.
This is why reality TV can’t breathe. They boot somebody, then everybody pretends it’s about accountability, but I feel like it’s PR. Also wasn’t this lady supposed to be in the villa already? Like why is it ‘just days before’ like they’re doing a last minute background check or something. I’m not defending the slur but the timing feels kinda scripted.