Ariana Madix Offers 'Love Island USA' Cast Members Tips On Handling Social Media Backlash
By Jacquez Printup on June 21, 2025 at 12:30 PM EDT
Season 7 of "Love Island USA" has been delivering top-notch drama for the last two weeks, and the season isn't even halfway over.
With over a billion minutes streamed so far, it's unsurprising that "Love Island USA" also has a loyal fan base that constantly discusses the show's couples online.
Although most of the conversation centers around the on-screen drama, online comments can often turn nasty.
"Love Island USA" host Ariana Madix (who spent years on Bravo's "Vanderpump Rules"), however, is already equipping the cast and their loved ones with the tools needed to handle the pressure they'll face once the show wraps.
Ariana Madix Has Words Of Advice On How The 'Love Island USA' Cast Should Handle Backlash When The Show Is Finished
Replying to a TikTok about the overwhelming amount of attention season 7 of "Love Island USA" is currently getting, Madix offered advice on how the cast's family members can help combat the inevitable pushback islanders will get once they're off the show.
“I also think the people running their social media pages need to be on top of blocking, deleting, and setting limits on words etc. on their pages,” she wrote. “They shouldn’t see any of that when they get their phones back.”
'Love Island USA' Has Served Up Tons Of Drama In Only Two Weeks
The current cast of "Love Island USA" has everybody talking, from Angel Reese to Megan Thee Stallion.
Most recently, the online conversation has centered on Huda Mustafa, 24, and her tumultuous and explosive dynamic with Jeremiah Brown, 25.
Their initial connection was immediate and intense, but things took a dramatic turn by day 10, and the subsequent days haven't been much better.
After a fiery cycle of fighting, screaming, tears, and name-calling, Mustafa is now "single and vulnerable," leaving her at risk of being dumped from the island.
The rest of the cast includes:
- Ace Greene, 22
- Amaya Espinal, 25
- Andreina Santos, 24
- Austin Shepard, 26
- Chelley Bissainthe, 27
- Cierra Ortega, 25
- Hannah Fields, 23
- Iris Kendall, 25
- Nicolas (Nic) Vansteenberghe, 24
- Olandria Carthen, 27
- Pepe Gonzalez, 27
- Taylor Williams, 24
- TJ Palma, 23
'Love Island USA' Is Making Waves
Madix's message to the "Love Island USA" cast is especially timely, as the show's viewership continues to soar.
According to Deadline, from June 6 to 12, season 7 has racked up 1.2 billion minutes viewed across the first nine episodes.
The 1.2 billion minutes viewed is a massive leap from the previous batch of episodes. For comparison, season 6, which featured breakout stars JaNa Craig, Serena Page, and Kordell Beckham, averaged 335 million minutes viewed during the same timeframe.
Megan Thee Stallion Hosted A Challenge
In a recent episode, rap superstar Megan Thee Stallion made a special appearance inside the villa to spend time with the cast and host a challenge.
For the contest, viewers saw the girls take on the boys during three different rounds, which included a twerking challenge, a limbo challenge, and a puzzle challenge.
During a private confessional, Megan Thee Stallion urged viewers to be gentle with the contestants and shared a powerful reminder.
“It’s so easy to watch people on TV and just forget that these are real human beings,” she said. “These are real ladies, these are real women with real feelings."
One Cast Member Was Removed During The Second Episode Due To Past Racist Language
Aside from the drama inside the villa, there was also drama online after cast member Yulissa Escobar was removed from the show for her past use of the N-word.
However, after returning to social media, Escobar offered an apology to viewers.
"First, I want to apologize for using a word I had no right in using," she said, referring to viral clips of her using the racial slur on podcasts.
"In those clips, I used a word I never should’ve used, a racial slur," she wrote. "I used it ignorantly, not fully understanding the weight, history, or pain behind it."
Escobar added, "I wasn’t trying to be offensive or harmful, but I recognize now that intention doesn’t excuse impact. And the impact of that word is real. It’s tied to generations of trauma, and it is not mine to use."
The reality star stated that she's "changed a lot since then" and vowed to do better in the future.
"Growth means recognizing when you were wrong, even if it’s uncomfortable, and choosing to move forward with humility and accountability," she stated.
