Yulissa Escobar claims she was “set up” in the Love Island racism scandal!

In a shocking turn of events, Yulissa Escobar, a former contestant on Love Island USA Season 7, has broken her silence about her abrupt and controversial exit from the Fiji villa. The 27-year-old, who was among the initial group of islanders to enter the show in its premiere, was quietly removed in the second episode without a clear explanation from Peacock. Now, in a candid TikTok video, Yulissa is setting the record straight, hinting that her departure was orchestrated in a way that left her blindsided and questioning the motives behind it.

A “Regular” Day Turned Upside Down

Yulissa described the day of her exit as starting like any other in the villa. “It was a regular a– day,” she said in her TikTok, dispelling rumors that she was dramatically pulled from the show in the middle of the night. Her partner, Ace Greene, had made her breakfast, and she was enjoying conversations with fellow islanders, including Taylor Williams, as the villa buzzed with anticipation for the arrival of bombshells Cierra and Charlie. “I was just starting to have fun,” Yulissa recalled, her voice tinged with frustration.

But the mood shifted when a producer called her to the front of the villa. Initially, she assumed it was for a routine confessional, a common occurrence on the show. Instead, she was met with a serious request to remove her microphone. “I kinda figured something serious was happening,” she admitted. “I honestly got scared. I thought something was happening with a family member or something. I didn’t know what was going on.”

The producer informed her that a video had resurfaced online, and “it’s not looking too good.” However, they provided no specifics about the video’s content, leaving Yulissa in a state of confusion and fear. “I wasn’t even crying or anything,” she said. “I just wanted to know what was going on.”

Left in the Dark

After being whisked away from the villa, Yulissa spent two days in a Fiji hotel, isolated and without access to her phone. “I was losing my f—– mind because I didn’t know what was going on,” she shared. The lack of clarity from the producers only amplified her anxiety. It wasn’t until she regained access to her phone that she discovered the truth: the resurfaced videos were from past podcast appearances where she had used racial slurs, including the N-word.

@yulissaaescobar Plot twist: I wasn’t dragged out in the dark. I walked out in broad daylight head high, lashes on. Here’s the real story. 🎬✨ #LoveIslandUSA #RealityTVUnfiltered #MySideOfTheStory #NotWhatYouThink #LoveIsland #yulissaescobar #yulissa ♬ original sound – Yulissa Escobar

The revelation hit her hard. “I was like, f—, no. I can’t believe people think I’m racist,” she said in the TikTok. “I get it, I said a word that I should have not said, but man, I wish I would’ve never said that.” Yulissa expressed regret, acknowledging the gravity of her mistake. “It is what it is. I can’t go back in time. I am sorry that I said that word.”

In the caption of her TikTok, she added a defiant note: “Plot twist: I wasn’t dragged out in the dark. I walked out in broad daylight head high, lashes on.”

A Public Apology and Claims of Being “Set Up”

Following her exit, Yulissa faced intense backlash online, with many accusing her of racism. She addressed the controversy head-on in a lengthy Instagram post on June 6, where she issued a heartfelt apology. “I want to address it directly and apologize for using a word I had no right in using,” she wrote. “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.”

Yulissa explained that the podcast appearances occurred during casual conversations where she spoke without thinking deeply about her words. “I wasn’t trying to be offensive or harmful, but I recognize now that intention doesn’t excuse impact,” she stated. “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.”

However, in her recent TikTok, Yulissa hinted at feeling manipulated by the situation. By emphasizing the lack of transparency from the producers and the sudden resurfacing of the videos, she suggested that her exit may have been orchestrated to create drama or shift the narrative of the show. The vague way the producers handled the situation—failing to inform her of the specific issue until she was already out of the villa—has led her to question whether she was “set up” to take the fall.

A Controversial Exit Sparks Debate

Yulissa’s revelations have ignited discussions among Love Island USA fans. Some sympathize with her, arguing that the show’s producers should have been more transparent and given her a chance to address the issue before her removal. Others believe her exit was justified, pointing to the severity of using racial slurs and the impact of her words, regardless of intent.

As the controversy continues to unfold, Yulissa remains focused on moving forward. Her candid TikTok and public apology show a willingness to take accountability while also shedding light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics that led to her sudden departure. Whether fans view her as a victim of circumstance or a cautionary tale, one thing is clear: Yulissa Escobar’s Love Island journey ended in a way no one could have predicted, leaving her to navigate the fallout of a scandal that has forever changed her time in the spotlight.