(Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)
Its that time of year again, when ‘Love Island’ viewers gather daily to tune in as singles search for love in the Fiji villa. Last Thursday, Love Island USA officially revealed the official cast for Season 8. Viewers quickly began discussing the Islanders, sharing who they were shippin together and rooting for this year. However, one Islander didnt even get the chance to make her Season 8 debut after her time on the show was cut short. Now, she has returned to social media to address the backlash surrounding her exit.
Shortly after the cast announcement, videos of one contestant began circulating online. By Saturday, May 30, it was revealed that Vasana Montgomerys chance to find love in Fiji had been cut short. According to TMZ, the Season 8 contestant was removed from the show after footage resurfaced that allegedly showed her singing the n-word in a song lyric. TMZ reports that the clip was allegedly a private video that had not previously been shared publicly. To note, NBC News adds that a second video showing Montgomery using a racial slur also surfaced within the past week.
As previously reported, two contestants from Love Island USA Season 7, Yulissa Escobar and Cierra Ortega, were also removed from the show after their past use of racial slurs resurfaced online.
Following the controversy surrounding Vasana Montgomerys removal from the cast, she officially took to Instagram to address the backlash. In a statement shared to her Instagram Story, Vasana apologized for using a racial slur in resurfaced videos from her teen years. She took responsibility for her actions and said she has grown since then.
She wrote, I want to address a couple videos from my teen years that have recently resurfaced. In those videos, I used a racial slur. There is no excuse for it, and I am deeply sorry. I am embarrassed and disappointed by my words.
I take full responsibility for what I said and understand why it has hurt and upset people. Since then, I have grown a lot as a person and taken the time to educate myself, listen, learn, and better understand the impact that language can have. That growth does not erase my mistake, and I am not asking anyone to excuse it.
I believe people should be held accountable for their actions, but I also believe in growth, learning, and becoming better. To anyone I hurt or disappointed, I am truly sorry.”
Folks quickly reacted to Vasanas statement in the comments. Some felt her removal was too extreme. They argued that she had been singing a song during her teen years. Others argued the word shouldnt have been used at all. Furthermore, they said young actions still have consequences.
Instagram user @ therissashoww wrote, I’ve seen this exact statement 1,000 times before
Instagram user @madithag added, they only sorry when they get caught
While Instagram user @prettygirlll__c wrote, They caught her before she even got on the villa, that was quick lol
Instagram user @kash.ari26 wrote, At least she is taking accountability for what she did cause honey if it was anybody else they wouldn’t have did it
Instagram user @breenoelle_ added, Yall we gotta start giving some people grace especially when they say it while singing a song .. as a black women I really don’t take offense … we’ve said plently of things in our younger self that wasn’t right. Understand people change
While Instagram user @rains.song wrote, Do teenagers not know right from wrong like….
Instagram user @lavishladies_202 wrote, I understand she was a kid right but it is well known as a racial slur. You know it wasn’t right when you used it but now you want to educate yourself about a word you already knew you shouldn’t say. Everybody should get a second chance but stop the BS. You knew it will hurt people but you said it anyways
Instagram user @luvv.444jas added, sorry cuz you said it or sorry cuz it resurfaced ?
While Instagram user @lovee_niqua wrote, She gone keep saying it. We dgaf ! NEXT. They don’t be sorry, they be sorry they get caught.
