Just days before the new season of Love Island USA is set to begin, the reality dating series has found itself facing another controversy. For the second consecutive year, a contestant has been removed from the cast after old social media videos resurfaced online, sparking criticism among viewers and reigniting discussions about the show’s vetting process.
The contestant at the center of the controversy is Vasana Montgomery, who was announced as part of the Season 8 lineup only days ago. However, after videos began circulating on social media, producers moved quickly, and Montgomery will no longer appear on the upcoming season when it premieres on Peacock on June 2.
Social Media Videos Lead to Swift Exit
The controversy erupted after two separate videos surfaced online showing Montgomery using the n-word. In one clip, she appears to be playing an arcade shooting game while saying the slur. Another video reportedly shows her singing along to lyrics in a song that contains the same word while sitting in a car.
According to reports, the videos were originally shared on private social media accounts and only became widely visible after the Season 8 cast announcement generated public interest. Because the content was not publicly accessible at the time of casting, it may not have been discovered during the show’s background review process.
Montgomery, a 25-year-old entrepreneur from Oregon, had been introduced as one of the new singles entering the villa this season. In promotional material released before the controversy, she described herself as independent, ambitious, and open to finding love from anywhere in the world. Those plans have now come to an abrupt end before the season has even begun.
Another Casting Controversy for Love Island USA
The situation has drawn comparisons to multiple incidents from last season. In 2025, contestant Yulissa Escobar was removed early in the competition after videos surfaced showing her using the same racial slur. Later in the season, Cierra Ortega exited the show after old posts containing an offensive racial term aimed at Asian people resurfaced online.
The repeated controversies have prompted renewed scrutiny of how reality television shows screen contestants before casting announcements are made. Social media users have questioned why problematic content continues to emerge after participants have already been selected and promoted.
Despite the controversy, Love Island USA is expected to move forward with its scheduled launch. The new season will once again be hosted by Ariana Madix, with Iain Stirling returning as narrator. New episodes will air throughout the week as the dating competition returns to Peacock for another summer season.
For the show, however, Montgomery’s removal means the spotlight has shifted away from romance and onto another conversation about accountability, social media history, and the challenges reality television faces in the digital age.
