Peacock removed Vasana Montgomery from the cast of Love Island USA after videos surfaced showing her allegedly using the N-word.
The decision comes just days before the season 8 premiere, signaling the network's intent to avoid racial controversy during the show's launch.
Montgomery, a hair salon owner from Beaverton, Oregon, was cast as a contestant for the upcoming season [1]. The streaming platform took action on May 31, 2026, after two old videos appeared online in which she allegedly used a racial slur [2], [3].
Network representatives said the use of the slur violated company standards [4]. The removal ensures the production does not begin with a cast member linked to hate speech, a move that aligns with broader industry trends regarding social media vetting.
Reports on Montgomery's age vary between 25 [5] and 26 [6]. Despite the discrepancy, the network said the content of the videos was the primary driver for her dismissal from the program.
Peacock has not provided further details on the specific nature of the videos or the timeline of when they were originally recorded. The show's producers generally screen contestants, but the emergence of these clips suggests a gap in the initial vetting process for the season 8 cast [1], [4].
“The network said the alleged use of a racial slur violated its standards.”
This incident highlights the increasing volatility of reality TV casting in an era of digital archives. As networks face heightened public scrutiny regarding inclusivity and racial sensitivity, the discovery of historical social media posts or videos can lead to immediate terminations to protect brand reputation and advertiser relationships.
