Love Island USA cast-off Vasana Montgomery issues public apology for racial slur

• Montgomery was cast on 28 May and removed from the show by 30 May
• Two previously private videos showed her using the n-word on social media
• Her expulsion marks the second consecutive season Peacock has removed a contestant for racial slurs

Vasana Montgomery, the 25-year-old from Beaverton, Oregon, who was cast in Love Island USA Season 8 before being swiftly expelled for using the n-word in social media videos, has broken her silence with a public apology posted on Wednesday.

Montgomery's Instagram apology

Addressing her followers via Instagram story, Montgomery wrote: "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 a lot 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."

Timeline of her removal

Montgomery had been included in Peacock's official Season 8 Love Island USA cast announcement on 28 May. Within two days, by 30 May, she had been dropped from the show after two videos, previously held on private accounts, began to circulate publicly.

In one clip, she is heard saying "Knock knock, n—-," whilst the other shows her rapping along to song lyrics that also contain the slur.

Second consecutive season hit by racism scandal

Montgomery's removal marks the second year running that Peacock has been forced to cut a contestant from the series over use of the n-word.

In Season 7, Yulissa Escobar was dismissed under similar circumstances. That same season, Cierra Ortega was also removed after racially offensive posts targeting Asian people came to light.