Love Island USA is encouraging viewers to show host Ariana Madix and all of this year’s islanders “kindness and respect” ahead of the season 7 finale scheduled to air on Sunday, July 13.
The Peacock dating competition has navigated its share of controversy throughout its seventh season, including islanders Cierra Ortega and Yulissa Escobar being removed from the villa due to recently resurfaced offensive social media posts.
In light of the contentious online conversation surrounding the show, Love Island released a new statement via Instagram on Saturday, July 12, requesting positive vibes from fans.
“Huge thanks to everyone who has joined us for Love Island USA season 7,” the statement began. “We can’t wait to celebrate our incredible islanders in tomorrow night’s finale.”
The statement went on, “Love Island exists because of the real people who share their search for love with the world. Our host [Ariana] and all islanders deserve respect and kindness for opening their hearts to the experience and viewers everywhere. As this season comes to a close, let’s show them our love and support.”
Love Island previously aired a direct appeal to viewers during the June 24 episode, in an attempt to stop “harassment” of islanders.
“The keyword in Love Island is … love. We love our fans. We love our islanders,” the graphic read. “We don’t love cyberbullying, harassment or hate.”
Yulissa was removed from Love Island USA on the third day of filming in June after clips of her using racial slurs on a podcast circulated online. She later publicly apologized for saying “a word that I should have not said.”
“I wish I would have never said that. It is what it is. I can’t go back in time. I am sorry that I said that word,” she added.
While there was only a brief on-air mention from Love Island USA narrator Iain Stirling about Yulissa leaving the villa, she later disputed fan theories that she’d been “dragged out in the dark.”
“I walked out in broad daylight, head high, lashes on,” Yulissa insisted via TikTok.
More controversy followed when a fan shared one of islander Cierra’s past social media posts where she’d used a racial slur. Prior to Cierra being removed from the villa on July 6, her parents accused angry fans of going “far beyond” seeking accountability by sending her family “threats” and “cruel messages.”
Cierra ultimately assured fans she was “deeply, truly, honestly, so sorry” for her offensive statement, but begged fans not to bring her family into the matter.
“I can do my best to drown out the noise and pay attention to the truth,” she wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, July 9. “But what’s been extremely, extremely difficult is the way people are approaching my family and my loved ones. They have had ICE called on them. My family doesn’t feel safe in their own home. I’m receiving death threats and there’s no need to fight hate with hate. I don’t think that that’s justice. If you want to know that you are heard and that I’m sorry and that I will move differently, I promise you that’s what will happen.”
Love Island USA’s season 7 finale airs on Peacock on Sunday at 9p.m. ET.
