Huda Mustafa Apologizes to Olandria Carthen Over Racial Slur

UPDATE: Huda Mustafa, a former contestant on Love Island USA, has issued a public apology following a controversial incident involving racial slurs directed at her co-star Olandria Carthen. The incident unfolded during a livestream with Mustafa and her boyfriend, Louis Russell, when a caller used the N-word to refer to Carthen, prompting a swift reaction from the couple.

The livestream, which took place on October 15, 2023, quickly gained traction online after viewers captured the couple’s shocked response. Mustafa, 25, and Russell, 24, appeared visibly taken aback, with Russell expressing disappointment and Mustafa questioning, “Yo, what the f–k? What did they say? They said a bad word.” The moment escalated rapidly, leading to Mustafa addressing the situation on her Instagram Story shortly after.

In her statement, Mustafa claimed that she and Russell “did not hear it very well” but acknowledged they “hung up immediately” after realizing the gravity of the racial slur. She described their laughter as a reaction to the “awkward and inappropriate” situation, asserting that the caller was “in the wrong.” Russell, who is Black, also shared his perspective, labeling the caller’s behavior as “harmful and dangerous.”

Carthen, 27, responded strongly on her own Instagram Story, emphasizing that “that kind of language is never acceptable.” She called for “real accountability and awareness,” urging participants in the stream and their followers to actively support anti-racism efforts, including donations to relevant organizations.

The following day, Mustafa returned to Instagram to express her remorse, stating she had taken time to “reflect and collect [her] thoughts.” She apologized to Carthen for her “immediate reaction,” clarifying that her response stemmed from surprise rather than finding the situation amusing. Mustafa recognized the word’s “gravity,” admitting her initial response was “inappropriate.”

In a commitment to make amends, Mustafa announced her intention to make a personal donation to the NAACP as part of her accountability efforts.

The incident has sparked widespread discussion on social media, highlighting the sensitivities surrounding racial language and the responsibilities of public figures. Both Mustafa and Russell have been vocal in their commitment to using their platforms for positive change, illustrating the urgent need for awareness and education on these critical issues. As this story develops, many are watching closely to see how both reality stars will continue to address the fallout from this controversial moment.