- Love Island USA star Huda Mustafa and her boyfriend, Louis Russell, had an inappropriate reaction when a fan dialed into their TikTok livestream and referred to fellow Islander Olandria Carthen as a racial slur.
- Olandria caught wind of the moment and encouraged fans to donate to several organizations, including UNCF, NAACP, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
- Huda and Louis have since apologized to Olandria, and several islanders have also spoken out against the moment.
Season 7 of Love Island USA may have wrapped this summer, but the controversy continues. On Tuesday, October 28, Huda Mustafa and her boyfriend, Louis Russell, were caught off guard when a fan dialed into their TikTok live and referred to Huda’s co-star, Olandria Carthen, with a racial slur.
Naturally, fans watching the livestream recorded the moment, which is…not an easy watch. Once the person dropped the slur in the clip, the couple awkwardly burst into laughter before hanging up on the guest. “Woah, hey, hey,” Louis said, as Huda asked, “Yo, what the fuck? What did they say? They said a bad word.”
Since then, a lot has gone down. Olandria has reacted to the incident, Huda and Louis have apologized, and, yes, other Islanders have even weighed in on the situation. Here’s a full rundown on the situation, with everything that went down after the TikTok live clip resurfaced.
Olandria reacted to Huda and Louis’ actions on her Instagram Stories.
Once she caught wind of Huda and Louis’ TikTok live, Olandria took to her Instagram Stories and encouraged her followers to donate to several organizations “dedicated to educating and uplifting” the Black community, including UNCF, NAACP, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
“I do not condone racism of any kind, nor do I entertain it. That kind of language is never acceptable. Not in anger, not as a joke, not ever,” she wrote, in part. “Words like that carry generations of pain, and pretending otherwise only keeps the cycle going. Defending it, laughing about it, or making excuses is even worse.”
Huda apologized to Olandria and claimed she’ll donate to the NAACP.
After the incident, Huda immediately posted a series of Instagram Stories to clear the air. “Me and Louis did not hear what was said in that no caller ID call on live, only the racial slur, which we hung up immediately. I don’t condone anything of the sort,” she wrote, explaining that she wanted to address it before it “blew out of proportion.”
“Also laughter was because it was AWKWARD, like who the heck says something offensive like that on a call on his live?” she added in a separate slide.
Huda seemingly held herself accountable once Olandria posted about the incident. She apologized to O and revealed she would be donating to the NAACP.
“I want to take this moment to more fully take accountability for my actions,” she wrote in a lengthy statement, adding that she “completely respects Olandria.”
“Olandria – it is now clear that this comment was targeted at you, and I apologize for my immediate reaction. My reaction in that moment came from being caught off guard, not from finding the word or situation funny. It was a nervous, uncomfortable reaction that I recognize was inappropriate,” Huda continued. “I want to be clear that I do not condone or tolerate anyone who uses such language, and I strongly encourage the individual responsible to reflect deeply on their words and the harm they’ve caused.”
Louis also issued a statement and apologized for his reaction.
Once Huda made her point, Louis chimed in, too. He posted his own statement on his Instagram Stories, where he wrote, in part, “As a Black man, I have greater empathy through my own lived experiences battling racism. And the idea that a flustered response to a very unnerving situation could be misinterpreted for me not taking the matter seriously is incredibly disheartening.”
He added, “We are both very proud of the way we’ve used our platforms to be a voice for those who are often underrepresented, especially on TV. We are even more motivated now to approach every audience interaction with respect, inclusivity, and care.”
Other Islanders have weighed in, too.
Olandria’s match from the show, Nic Vansteenberghe, followed in her footsteps and posted links to organizations on his largest social platform, Snapchat.
“The links that are posted are organizations that fights racial discrimination and injustice through court cases, lobbying, and public policy work,” he wrote, adding, “I continue to be amazed and proud with the woman that Olandria is. ACCOUNTABILITY & AWARENESS is needed.”
Another Black contestant this season, Chelley Bissainthe, came to Olandria’s defense on her Instagram Stories.
“Having been on the receiving end of hate and racial comments, I know how deeply that can cut and would never wish that pain on anyone,” Chelley said. “Any form of racism should always be checked right away. There’s nothing awkward about racism... it’s disgusting and disheartening. And I’ll always speak on it.”
Iris Kendall and Hannah Fields also released statements on their stories, claiming that they don’t condone such behavior.
“I have never, and will never support hate of any kind,” Iris said, while Hannah wrote in part, “We all have a responsibility to call out racism when we see it and to create spaces that are safe, respectful, and inclusive for everyone.”
!["weapons" world premiere](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/huda-mustafa-guest-at-the-weapons-world-premiere-held-at-news-photo-1758554706.pjpeg?crop=1.00xw:0.668xh;0,0.0235xh&resize=360:* ""Weapons" World Premiere")
