Love Island USA contestant Alannah Keyser has publicly apologised after being removed from the reality series following the resurfacing of a video and social media posts in which she used a racial slur. The 21-year-old left the villa mid-episode last Thursday, and subsequently addressed the controversy in a TikTok video that has garnered over 81,000 likes.
Apology and explanation
In her TikTok statement, Keyser addressed a clip circulating online of her using the n-word while singing along to Roddy Ricch’s 2019 song The Box. She claimed the video was from six years ago and that the word is no longer part of her vocabulary. She also addressed alleged screenshots of racist social media posts, which she described as falsified.
“I do want to begin by addressing the video of me singing along to a Roddy Ricch song that contains a racial slur,” Keyser said. “I’m sorry to whoever’s seen that video and has been offended by it, that was never my intention. The video is from six years ago and that word is just not in my vocabulary anymore.”
She added: “I’d also like to address the screenshots that have been going around online that have been falsified. What has been shared does not reflect the truth and it’s never been in my character to discriminate against anybody’s skin colour.”
Context of removal
Keyser is the second contestant on Love Island USA season eight to be removed for using the n-word. In late May, Vasana Montgomery was fired before the season premiere after two videos of her using the slur went viral. The show’s history includes similar incidents: in season seven, Yulissa Escobar and Cierra Ortega were also removed for using racial slurs.
Peacock, the network airing Love Island USA, told Deadline that it was unaware of Keyser’s social media posts prior to casting, as they had not been publicly shared until after her appearance. The streamer stated that it vets each contestant, but sources indicated these posts would not have been accessible during the vetting process.
Public reaction and ongoing series
Keyser’s apology video concluded with a black screen and white text reading: “The video cut, but its always been in my nature to spread positivity and help others, and I will continue to do so.” Despite her apology, the incident has sparked discussions about casting practices and accountability on reality television.
Love Island USA season eight is available to stream on Peacock.
