Love Island USA star Austin Shepard is clarifying his current social media exercise since leaving the villa.
“I wish to take a second to handle my current repost that has prompted offense to a few of you,” Austin, 26, wrote by way of his Instagram Tales on Saturday, July 5. “As you all know, I’ve a really dry humorousness, and I genuinely didn’t suppose earlier than sharing that content material.”
He added, It was by no means my intention to harm or upset anybody. I worth and respect all people and their views.”
Since being dumped from the villa, Austin sparked backlash when he shared an allegedly racist put up on his social media account. (The put up has since been deleted.)
Love Island USA star Austin Shepard is clearing the air after returning dwelling from the Fiji villa. Austin, 26, answered a collection of fan-submitted questions on his Instagram Tales on Friday, July 14, together with one from a social media consumer who requested whether or not he was a “racist bigot.” “I’m going to provide this consideration solely […]
“I acknowledge that my alternative of content material didn’t resonate nicely with everybody, and for that, I sincerely apologize,” he added on Saturday. “I’m dedicated to studying from this expertise and to being extra aware sooner or later. Thanks to your understanding and for holding me accountable.”
Austin concluded, “Love you all [and] thanks a lot for an unimaginable expertise.”
Austin was one of many authentic 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 cellphone again, Austin accomplished a Q&A on his Instagram Tales on Friday, July 4, the place he responded to at least one query questioning whether or not he was a “racist bigot.”
“I’m going to provide this consideration just one time as a result of that is, like, loopy,” Austin mentioned within the video. “Are you f***ing dumb? Like, truthfully, are you dumb? Do you not suppose?”
Austin appeared to disclaim the accusations, citing certainly one of his tattoos as proof.
“I’ve a Black lady tatted on my facet,” he quipped. “Use your head.”
Earlier this season, his costar Yulissa Escober was faraway from the villa when previous racially insensitive feedback she made resurfaced on-line. (Yulissa, 27, has since apologized for her remarks.)
“I wasn’t dragged out at nighttime. I walked out in broad daylight head excessive, lashes on,” Yulissa mentioned in a Thursday, July 3, TikTok video. “I didn’t get up in the course of the night time. They didn’t drag my ass away from bed. I used to be truly simply getting snug and simply popping out of my shell as a result of initially I used to be type of timid and shy. I used to be upset that I obtained pulled out on that day as a result of I used to be like, ‘Rattling, I used to be simply beginning to have enjoyable.’”
Her departure was subtly addressed on the present by narrator Iain Stirling, who briefly talked about that she had “left the villa” however didn’t additional clarify the state of affairs.