Be cautious of what we say because the internet is forever

Before the eighth season of Love Island USA made its premiere on June 2^nd, 2026, the season already stirred up controversy with the removal of one islander.

Two days after the season eight cast was announced, one of the islanders, Vasana Montgomery, was removed from the show after two old videos resurfaced of her using a racial slur. In both videos, Montgomery can be heard saying the n-word. The first video features her rapping along to a song containing the word, while the second video shows her saying the slur while playing a game at an arcade.

Peacock was unaware of the video during the vetting process, as the videos were privately owned at the time and were not made public until after Montgomery was announced as a season eight islander. Upon being made aware of the two videos, Montgomery was removed from the show before the islanders entered the villa.

The day after the eighth season premiered, Montgomery released a statement apologizing for using the slur.

“I want to address a couple of videos from my teen years that have recently resurfaced. In those videos, I used a racial slur. There is no excuse for it, and I am deeply sorry. I am embarrassed and disappointed by my words. I take full responsibility for what I said and understand why it has hurt and upset people.

Since then, I have grown as a person and taken the time to educate myself, listen, learn, and better understand the impact that language can have. That growth does not erase my mistake, and I am not asking anyone to excuse it. I believe people should be held accountable for their actions, but I also believe in growth, learning, and becoming better. To anyone I hurt or disappointed, I am truly sorry.”

After the resurfacing of the two videos, it was alleged that the release was done with calculated motives by a friend of Montgomery. While I do not encourage throwing a friend under the bus, we have to be cautious of what we say because the internet is forever. Once something is posted, there is no going back from it, and if something negative is posted on the internet, it will follow with repercussions.

This marks the second season in a row where an islander has been removed for using a racial slur. In season seven, Yulissa Escobar was removed from the island on day three after clips of her using the n-word in a podcast resurfaced online. On day twenty-six, bombshell Cierra Ortega was removed from the show after two Instagram Stories resurfaced of her using a slur against Asians while describing her Botox treatment. Both have issued separate apologies.

Islanders within the Love Island space are not the only ones guilty of using racial slurs and posting offensive content online. People are quick to expose islanders for racism when viewers have made racist content about some of the islanders.

One situation that comes to mind is the anti-Blackness that season seven islanders Olandria Carthen and Chelley Bissainthe were subjected to. Some of the viewers had made the two the subjects of racist memes and unsettling imagery.

Those who partook in the racism against Carthen and Bissainthe also need to realize that what they posted on the internet is offensive and cannot be taken back. Just like Peacock, many workplaces have a zero-tolerance policy in effect for certain behaviours. So, if you are watching the show as a viewer, be mindful of what you post on the internet about the islanders, because if your employer is made aware of anything negative, there will be consequences, and losing your job can be one of them.

Before the season’s scheduled premiere, Love Island USA made a PSA on their Instagram page asking viewers to be respectful after several of the islanders from season seven were on the receiving end of negative reactions, comments and debates.

“The Villa runs on good vibes, and so does the community. We love seeing your reactions, opinions, and debates, but everyone deserves to feel safe and respected.

This is a safe space for fun, not negativity – so keep it in mind, keep it positive, and remember: this is LOVE Island.”

Viewers need to keep that message in mind as they watch the show because islanders will be getting dumped as the season progresses, and once the season wraps up, the islanders are going to see content that was made about them. As mentioned earlier, you could be terminated from your job if your boss sees something that does not align with your workplace’s values.

Future islanders should also be mindful of what they post online because Peacock is continuing to amend their vetting process and will remove anyone for doing anything it deems unacceptable.