Love Island star apologises for using racist slur in social media posts

A Love Island USA star has spoken out after being removed from the reality series following resurfaced footage and social media posts.

Alannah Keyser, who left the villa mid-episode last Thursday, issued an apology video for using a racial slur in another video.

Taking to TikTok, the 21-year-old addressed a clip circulating online of her using the N-word while singing along to Roddy Ricch’s 2019 song The Box.

In addition, an alleged screenshot of her using a racist slur on social media was widely shared.

She captioned her post by saying: ‘Remember that reality tv is HEAVILY edited & my chats/kisses with the other boys were unfortunately not aired.’

In the video, which has over 81,000 likes, she speaks to camera by saying: ‘Hi everyone, I’m coming on here to address some things that have been circulating online.

‘I do want to begin by addressing the video of me singing along to a Roddy Ricch song that contains a racial slur.

‘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 continued by saying: ‘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.

‘I do want to say directly that I do not support racism or discrimination of any kind, and I never have.

‘When I first found out that these things were going around online it really broke my heart and I couldn’t do anything about it. But this has definitely been a learning lesson for me and it sucks that I didn’t really get a chance to really show off my personality and who I am.’

The video then cut to a black screen with white text which read: ‘The video cut, but its always been in my nature to spread positivity and help others, and I will continue to do so.’

Keyser is the second contestant on Love Island USA season eight to get removed from the villa for saying the N-word.

In late May, Vasana Montgomery was fired in the days leading up to the season eight premiere after two videos of her using the slur went viral.

In last year’s season seven, two contestants, Yulissa Escobar and Cierra Ortega, were also caught using racial slurs and had to exit the Villa.

Peacock, which is the network who airs Love Island, told Deadline that it was not aware of Keyser’s social media posts prior to casting her as they had not been shared publicly until after her appearance on the show.

The streamer said that it vets each contestant, but sources say these posts would not be accessible during that vetting process.

Love Island USA season 8 is available to watch on Peacock.