‘Love Island USA’ Season 8’s Second Slur Scandal Exposes Cast Vetting Failures
Love Island USA has a racial slur problem.
On June 21, Alannah Keyser made her debut as a Casa Amor bombshell. Hours later, a SnapChat video surfaced on X of her singing along to Roddy Ricch’s song “The Box.” The lyrics to that track include the N-word. Then, another X user shared a screenshot that appeared to show Alannah using the offensive word in a comment on social media.
‘Love Island USA’ has fired multiple cast members for using racial slurs
So far, Peacock has yet to respond to the video or screenshot, and Alannah has not commented on the accusations But if the past is any guide, she will likely soon be booted from the hit reality series. In recent seasons, Love Island USA has had to remove multiple cast members after social media posts were unearthed that showed them using offensive or demeaning language.
Shortly before Love Island USA Season 8 premiered earlier this month, Peacock abruptly pulled Vasana Montgomery from the villa after video surfaced of the 25-year-old salon owner from Oregon using the N-word.
In season 7, Yulissa Escobar was removed from the villa during episode 2 after clips surfaced of her using a racial slur. Later in the season, Cierra Ortega was also sent home after fans discovered posts in which she used an anti-Asian slur.
‘Love Island USA’ vetting process is falling short
Some might argue that Peacock is doing the right thing by pulling problematic Love Island USA cast members from the show. But having to remove multiple people over just two seasons is a troubling pattern that raises questions about the show’s cast vetting process.
Prospective Love Island USA stars must go through a casting process that’s similar to many other reality shows. That includes completing a 70-question online application. Following season 7’s racial slur scandals, applicants are now asked if there is anything in their past that might attract negative publicity, Backstage reports. But that relies on potential cast members self-disclosing their dirty laundry. Some people might try to hide the truth in order to get on the show, while others might simply have forgotten about the existence of an incriminating video or post.
Casting directors also comb through an applicant’s social media to get a sense of who they are and whether they are the right fit for Love Island USA. But given the sheer volume of accounts and posts, it’s possible for something to fall through the cracks. And if an applicant’s offensive comments were deleted or made private, they could be difficult to uncover. (Montgomery’s offensive posts were on private accounts, The Tab reports.)
A stricter vetting process might help Love Island USA avoid future embarrassment. However, that doesn’t address the underlying issue of why some many people who want to be on the show have felt free to use slurs on social media.
Peacock reality show might use AI to avoid future casting problems
Still, after multiple screw-ups, the show is looking to tighten up the casting process, insiders say.
The general feeling is not great,” a source told The Sun after Montgomery was kicked off the show. “It is not a good look that this slipped through.”
However, vetting is complicated, the insider added.
“There’s only so many ways to vet someone given all the different technologies and social medias that have been in and out over the years,” they said.
Going forward, Love Island USA might use AI to weed out contestants who have black marks in their past.
“They are looking into AI options that will help dissect a potential contestant’s entire digital footprint and ensure that these slip-ups do not happen in the future,” the source said. “Precautionary measures are underway and there will be a change, an improvement, to the vetting process next season.”
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