Yulissa Escobar, the 27-year-old Miami-based real estate agent and entrepreneur, burst onto the Love Island USA Season 7 scene with confidence, ambition, and a flair for drama. Known for her thriving career and side hustle running a mobile bar business, Yulissa joined the show fresh off a long-term relationship, ready to find her perfect match. Describing herself as strong and brave, she was poised to make waves in the villa. However, her journey took a scandalous turn, leading to her abrupt exit and a firestorm of controversy that has since followed her online.
A Dramatic Entrance Sparks Chaos
From the moment Yulissa stepped into the villa, she made it clear she was unafraid to shake things up. During a challenge hosted by Ariana Madix, Yulissa was tasked with kissing two men she was interested in. In a bold and controversial move, she chose Ace Greene, who was already coupled with Chelley Bissainthe, and Jeremiah Brown, partnered with Huda Mustafa. While Ace reciprocated her kiss, Jeremiah respectfully limited it to a peck on the cheek, citing loyalty to his partner. Yulissa ultimately set her sights on Ace, igniting tension and setting the stage for her polarizing presence in the villa.
Her calculated choices drew immediate attention, painting her as a confident yet divisive figure. But her time in the spotlight was short-lived, as producers sent her packing just a day after her dramatic debut, leaving fans puzzled and clamoring for answers.
The Shocking Reason Behind Her Exit
As speculation swirled, the truth behind Yulissa’s elimination came to light. A resurfaced clip from a 2021 podcast, shared by the social media account @luv1slandusa, exposed Yulissa using a racial slur while casually conversing with a friend. In the video, she taunted a romantic rival, boasting about “taking” a man—whom she referred to with the offensive term—without a hint of remorse. The timing of the clip’s emergence coincided with her sudden departure from Love Island USA, suggesting that producers acted swiftly in response to the controversy.
@luv1slandusa JUST PROUDLY SAYING IT THE AUDACITY. #loveisland #loveislandusa #loveislandusaseason7 #foryoupage ♬ original sound – luv1slandusa
The revelation sent shockwaves through the show’s fanbase, with many expressing disappointment and outrage. Yulissa’s brief stint on the show, once filled with promise, was now overshadowed by accusations of racism and questions about her character.
Yulissa’s Instagram ‘Apology’ and Cancel Culture Critique
In early June 2025, Yulissa broke her silence on Instagram, addressing the scandal with a post captioned, “Accountable, not Erased.” In her statement, she claimed she had used the racial slur “unknowingly” and acknowledged its inappropriateness. However, her apology quickly pivoted to a critique of cancel culture, which she argued had devolved into “viral hate” rather than true accountability. Yulissa revealed she had received death threats and messages urging her to take her own life, all stemming from the 2021 podcast clip.
“This isn’t justice. This is just what cancel culture’s become,” she wrote, framing herself as a victim of online vitriol. While her post aimed to take responsibility, many fans questioned its sincerity, viewing it as a calculated move to salvage her image rather than a genuine expression of remorse.
Rebuilding Her Image on TikTok
Despite the backlash, Yulissa has remained active on social media, particularly on TikTok, where she boasts nearly 50,000 followers. On June 23, 2025, she posted a video of herself in a brown bikini, enjoying a solo boat ride in Fiji. With a carefree smile, she captioned the post, “Fiji, if you see me again… mind your business,” signaling her intent to move past the controversy and embrace her newfound freedom. Her TikTok presence suggests a deliberate effort to shift focus from the scandal to her adventurous, glamorous lifestyle.
A Polarizing Figure in the Spotlight
Yulissa Escobar’s Love Island USA journey was brief but unforgettable, marked by bold moves, a shocking scandal, and a carefully crafted attempt to reclaim her narrative. While her entrepreneurial spirit and confidence initially won her attention, the resurfaced podcast clip and her controversial “apology” have left fans divided. Some see her as a misunderstood figure unfairly targeted by cancel culture, while others view her actions and response as calculated and insufficient.
As Yulissa continues to travel and share glimpses of her life on TikTok, she appears determined to leave the drama behind. Whether she can fully escape the shadow of her Love Island controversy remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Yulissa Escobar knows how to keep the spotlight on her, for better or worse.