'Love Island USA' Star Austin Shepard Issues Apology After Fan Backlash Regarding Offensive Social Media Post

Another "Love Island USA" contestant is in hot water with the fandom.

On Instagram, Austin Shepard, who was recently dumped from the "Love Island" villa after failing to form a lasting connection after five weeks in Fiji, issued an apology for sharing an offensive post on his social media accounts.

“I want to take a moment to address my recent repost that has caused offense to some of you,” Shepard, 26, wrote in his Instagram Stories on Saturday, July 5. "As you all know, I have a very dry sense of humor, and I genuinely didn’t think before sharing that content.”

Although "Love Island" contestants are cut off from the outside world while they're inside the villa, Shepard has been under fire from the fandom since he was announced as part of the cast in late May 2025.

Before the first episode even aired, online sleuths found Shepard's TikTok accounts, which allegedly featured racially charged content.

After being dumped from the villa on the July 3 episode, Shepard reportedly shared another problematic post, sparking more outrage.

“I recognize that my choice of content did not resonate well with everyone, and for that, I sincerely apologize,” Shepard added in his apology post. “I’m committed to learning from this experience and to being more mindful in the future. Thank you for your understanding and for holding me accountable.”

He finished, “Love you all [and] thank you so much for an incredible experience.”

Shepard's apology also comes just days after the reality star issued a separate, passionate statement after a fan asked him whether he was a "racist bigot."

“I’m going to give this attention only one time because this is, like, crazy,” Shepard replied. “Are you f-cking dumb? Like, honestly, are you dumb? Do you not think?”

Later, Shepard implied he couldn't be racist because he had a specific tattoo, stating, "I have a Black woman tatted on my side."

"Use your head," he finished.

On Reddit, many users questioned whether Shepard's apology was sincere, considering it used "the same PR buzzwords" as another contestant, Yulissa Escobar, who was dumped from the island on day two for using a racial slur before appearing on the show.

Another user slammed Shepard for not taking accountability for his actions, writing, "I'd actually have more respect if they just owned up to how they felt."

They added, "They're only apologizing because they get caught. That's all it ever is. Nobody is ever really 'sorry.'

A third user, however, showed compassion for Shepard, asking the "Love Island" subreddit, "What would be enough of an apology from Austin to get you to stop dogpiling them?"

"They are getting death threats and endless harassment from thousands of people," the user continued. "Yes, the racially insensitive reposts are bad. Yes, they should apologize. What else do you want them to do, though? The bullying these cast members are going through is legitimately insane."

And that viewer isn't the only one with those feelings. In June 2025, producers had issued multiple warnings to viewers, urging them to be mindful of what they share online about the islanders.

"Please just remember they're real people, so let's be kind and spread the love," the message read.

Escobar also received a similar reaction from fans once users discovered she had used the N-word multiple times while appearing on different podcasts.

After being slammed by fans who requested her removal, Escobar was quietly dumped from the villa on the second day.

Escobar eventually issued an apology of her own, explaining she didn't understand "the weight, history, or pain behind" the word.

She continued, "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."

"I’ve changed a lot since then, not just in how I speak, but in how I show up, how I carry myself, and how I honor the experiences of others," Escobar continued. "Growth means recognizing when you were wrong, even if it’s uncomfortable, and choosing to move forward with humility and accountability."