Love Island USA star Austin Shepard is clarifying his recent social media activity since leaving the villa.
“I want to take a moment to address my recent repost that has caused offense to some of you,” Austin, 26, wrote via 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.”
He added, It was never my intention to hurt or upset anyone. I value and respect all individuals and their perspectives.”
Since being dumped from the villa, Austin sparked backlash when he shared an allegedly racist post on his social media account. (The post has since been deleted.)
“I recognize that my choice of content did not resonate well with everyone, and for that, I sincerely apologize,” he added on Saturday. “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.”
Austin concluded, “Love you all [and] thank you so much for an incredible experience.”
Austin was one of the original Islanders on season 7 of Love Island USA. He was dumped earlier this week alongside fellow contestants Andreina Santos, TJ Palma, Gracyn Blackmore and Jaden Duggar.
After getting his phone back, Austin completed a Q&A on his Instagram Stories on Friday, July 4, where he responded to one question wondering whether he was a “racist bigot.”
“I’m going to give this attention only one time because this is, like, crazy,” Austin said in the video. “Are you f***ing dumb? Like, honestly, are you dumb? Do you not think?”
Austin appeared to deny the accusations, citing one of his tattoos as proof.
“I have a Black woman tatted on my side,” he quipped. “Use your head.”
Earlier this season, his costar Yulissa Escober was removed from the villa when past racially insensitive comments she made resurfaced online. (Yulissa, 27, has since apologized for her remarks.)
“I wasn’t dragged out in the dark. I walked out in broad daylight head high, lashes on,” Yulissa said in a Thursday, July 3, TikTok video. “I did not wake up in the middle of the night. They didn’t drag my ass out of bed. I was actually just getting comfortable and just coming out of my shell because initially I was kind of timid and shy. I was upset that I got pulled out on that day because I was like, ‘Damn, I was just starting to have fun.’”
Her departure was subtly addressed on the show by narrator Iain Stirling, who briefly mentioned that she had “left the villa” but did not further explain the situation.
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