- ‘Love Island USA’ star Huda Mustafa has apologized for her reaction to a racial slur used by a caller during a livestream.
- Fellow contestant Olandria Carthen publicly condemned the slur and the reaction, calling the language unacceptable and hurtful.
- The incident highlights previous tensions between the two stars concerning online racism, which was discussed during the show’s reunion.
- In response to the controversy, both Mustafa and Carthen have pledged personal donations to civil rights organizations.
Love Island Stars Clash Over Racial Slur in Livestream
A recent Instagram livestream featuring “Love Island USA” stars Huda Mustafa and her boyfriend Louis Russell has ignited a firestorm of controversy, leading to a public apology from Mustafa and condemnation from fellow Season 7 contestant Olandria Carthen.
The incident occurred when the couple answered a phone call from an unknown individual who used the N-word. A video of the moment, shared by TMZ, shows Mustafa and Russell appearing surprised before laughing and ending the call. The reaction drew swift criticism online and a powerful response from Carthen.
Olandria Carthen Calls for Accountability
Olandria Carthen took to her Instagram Story to address the incident, denouncing the use of the slur and the casual reaction it received. She emphasized that she does not condone racism of any kind, “not in anger, not as a joke, not ever.”
“Words like that carry generations of pain, and pretending otherwise only keeps the cycle going,” Carthen wrote. “Defending it, laughing about it, or making excuses is even worse. I will not let this moment derail my purpose of uplifting my community.”
The 27-year-old model announced she would make personal donations to organizations that educate and uplift the Black community, including the UNCF, NAACP, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, urging others to turn the moment into something actionable.
Huda Mustafa Issues an Apology
After initially downplaying the backlash in a statement where she cited confusion and awkwardness for her laughter, Huda Mustafa issued a more direct public apology to Carthen.
From Defense to Acknowledgment
Mustafa admitted her first statement failed to take full accountability. In her follow-up, she reflected on her actions and addressed Carthen directly. “Olandria – it is now clear that this comment was targeted at you, and I apologize for my immediate reaction,” Mustafa stated. “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.”
She echoed Carthen’s call to action by pledging to make a personal donation to the NAACP and encouraged her followers to do the same.
A History of On-Screen Turmoil
This public fallout is layered on top of pre-existing tensions between the reality stars. During the “Love Island USA” Season 7 reunion, Carthen confronted Mustafa for her lack of action against the racism and bullying she faced from viewers online. Carthen expressed feeling unsupported, painfully recounting how her face was photoshopped onto George Floyd’s body by online trolls, a situation she had shared with Mustafa privately. This latest incident has only amplified those past grievances, raising questions about accountability and respect within the reality TV community.
Image Referance: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/10/29/love-island-star-olandria-slams-hudas-livestream-racial-slur/86971129007/