Kaleah Johnson
On an Instagram/TikTok livestream, Huda Mustafa, Love Island Season 7 Star, and her boyfriend Louis Russell were live when a caller used a racial slur aimed at Olandria Carthen, fellow Love Island Season 7 castmate and finalist. Huda and Louis’s initial reaction was to laugh/express awkwardness, before Huda later apologized, claiming she didn’t hear it clearly and was “caught off guard.” Olandria responded with a statement saying that words like that carry generational trauma, and that dismissing, laughing, or excusing them is deeply problematic.
Meanwhile, there’s been a huge discussion about the role of Huda’s fanbase/stans in harassing Olandria (and other contestants) with hateful, racist comments, memes, edits, etc. Many in the fandom communities argue that though Huda didn’t explicitly endorse it, her lack of a stronger, and earlier response is part of the problem. Well this is what i think…
Racism is not right at all whatsoever and fan bases go extremely too far when it comes to “beef”. Like for instance, are you Team Nicki or Team Cardi? It creates a big debate but at the end of the day what’s right is what’s right and what’s wrong it’s what’s wrong. As a fan of the show I see both parts: there were times where Huda did entirely too much and deserved her karma and there were times when the production made others look like a bully towards her. We can’t sit here and act like this is not the first time something like this has happened. While on the show, a meme waas made where Olandria’s face was put on the face of the late George Floyd, while Huda’s was on the police officer’s face. Despite Olandria coming to Huda about the meme and asking her to mKnowingly, knowing this is out Huda said anything and let social media speak for her.
As we can see when something like this happens other parties get involved. Multiple former cast members of Love Island quickly took to social media about their opinions and made it known they were not on Huda’s side, including EVERYONE’S favorite person Chelley Bissainthe. She was so quick to stick up for her “Soul Sister” when it came to Huda but was silent when her couple turned partner, Ace Greene, called Olandria’s relationship with Nic fake. Maybe it’s still a little salt in the water from the Heart Rate Challenge, but it’s real, and it takes two to tango.
Whatever it may be, you have to remember everyone is human. We will make mistakes, but don’t let your mistakes turn into habits. I think in this situation it’s less about cancel culture and more about responsibility. Huda knows she is in the public eye and knows her platform is bigger now, so staying silent or your response being “weak” really weighs in. Every action you take comes with a consequence, and it’s your decision whether it’s good or bad. Huda took a loss after this post circulated when the brand Huda Beauty pulled their partnership with the Love Island Star. There is never going to be a “perfect season” and everyone ties into the situation.
Not speaking up, fans saying disrespectful things, or people playing victim all comes with being in the spotlight you signed up for. If defending your favorite member means tearing down somebody else, you’re not a fan you’re just part of the problem. The drama might fade, but the truth sticks: you can’t build a brand of love and stay silent when hate shows up in your name.