Ariana Madix, the beloved host of *Love Island USA*, recently shared an emotional response to the controversies surrounding Season 7 of the popular reality show. During an interview on *Love Island USA: Aftersun*, Madix expressed her feelings about the difficult situations that have unfolded throughout the season, stating, “It’s been a really tough season for a lot of reasons.”
The seventh season of *Love Island USA* has been marred by several scandals, including the removal of islanders Yulissa Escobar and Cierra Ortega due to resurfaced offensive comments. Yulissa was eliminated from the villa on day three, while Cierra was sent home on July 6. Both islanders have since issued public apologies for their past behavior.
Ariana took a moment to acknowledge the challenges faced by the eliminated contestants. “The islanders who were eliminated, there’s been a lot of stuff that’s just been crazy,” she said. “I just want them to know, and any islander who has also left the villa at this point, I just want them all to know how much I genuinely really love them and appreciate them for putting themselves out there.”
In her interview, Madix also offered advice to the *Love Island USA* stars who may not fully grasp the level of public scrutiny they are under. Responding to a TikTok video about the intense backlash some islanders have received, she remarked, “I also think the people gas me up when I come in [to the villa] because I always hope that I get to bring good news, but sometimes I’m the Glam Reaper.”
Maura Higgins, the show’s host, reassured Madix that the islanders “absolutely adore” her, to which Ariana responded, “The feeling is mutual.”
As the season neared its finale, *Love Island USA* released a statement on Instagram urging fans to extend “respect and kindness” to Ariana and all the islanders. The statement expressed gratitude to viewers for their support, stating, “Love Island exists because of the real people who share their search for love with the world. Our host [Ariana] and all islanders deserve respect and kindness for opening their hearts to the experience and viewers everywhere. As this season comes to a close, let’s show them our love and support.”
Ariana has been an advocate for compassion on social media, previously encouraging fans to give islanders the benefit of the doubt. During an interview on *Aftersun* on July 6, she expressed her love for the audience’s passion but emphasized the need for patience, saying, “I love the passion of the audience, but sometimes it’s like, ‘Give them a second to resolve their argument before you just hop online and start being absolutely atrocious to these Islanders.’”
In response to criticism regarding her hosting, Ariana has also faced backlash from some fans who compared her unfavorably to Maya Jama, the host of the U.K. version of *Love Island*. One user commented, “You are no Maya [Jama],” on a joint Instagram post by Madix and Peacock. Ariana addressed the negativity, stating, “It blows my mind that again I have to say not to harass them on the internet. I don’t understand why week after week we have to keep saying, ‘Don’t do that.’”
The season has not only highlighted the challenges faced by the contestants but also the importance of mental health and the impact of social media on reality stars. The finale of *Love Island USA* Season 7 is set to air on Peacock, and fans are encouraged to celebrate the journey of the islanders while promoting a positive environment online.
As the world of reality television continues to evolve, Ariana Madix stands as a voice for compassion, reminding both fans and contestants alike of the humanity behind the screen. With the finale approaching, viewers are left reflecting on the season’s events and the importance of kindness in a world that often leans towards harsh criticism.