Love Island USA's Olandria Carthen and Huda Mustafa Livestream Scandal and Its Fallout, Explained
Where does Huda Beauty fit into all of this?
Months after season seven of Love Island USA wrapped, its cast is still at the center of nonstop online turmoil. Instead of the usual post-villa glow-ups and brand deals, fans have been navigating waves of controversy—much of it centered on Olandria Carthen and Huda Mustafa. The two became fan favorites with massive followings, but intense stan culture, racist memes, and constant comparison have complicated their public lives long after the finale.
Now, a livestream incident involving racial slurs, awkward reactions, and a swiftly terminated beauty deal has reignited the discourse. Here’s a breakdown of what happened and why the fallout matters.
What was the inciting incident?
During an Instagram Live hosted by Huda Mustafa’s boyfriend, Perfect Match season three alum Louis Russell, callers were allowed to join the stream. One unknown caller used a racial slur aimed at Olandria Carthen.
In the viral clip, both Russell and Mustafa appear to laugh at first before reacting with confusion. Russell can be heard saying, “Woah, hey, hey,” while Mustafa asks, “What did they say?”
The moment spread quickly, renewing conversations about Mustafa and Carthen’s often fraught dynamic and the racism Carthen has faced—both inside the fandom and beyond.
So how did Huda Beauty get involved?
In September, Huda Beauty announced Mustafa as the face of its Easy Bake Loose Powder Duo campaign. The pairing—“Double the Huda”—was widely celebrated, with fans praising Mustafa’s performance in the launch video.
But on October 31, the brand publicly severed ties with her over her reaction on the livestream.
“Unfortunately one of our recent collaborators has displayed behavior that does not align with our values,” the brand wrote on Instagram. They emphasized that the decision was not about “canceling” Mustafa but about “the lack of seriousness around the issue” and the harm the moment caused to Black viewers, including those inside the company.
All campaign content featuring Mustafa was promptly removed.
What has happened since?
Mustafa quickly posted Instagram Stories saying she and Russell hadn’t clearly heard the slur. “Also laughter was because it was AWKWARD,” she wrote. “Whoever said it is in the wrong.”
She followed up with a longer statement after taking time to “reflect,” offering a fuller apology and pledging a personal donation to the NAACP. “I do not condone or tolerate anyone who uses such language,” she said, encouraging others to donate if they felt moved.
Russell also issued an apology, writing:
“As a Black man… the idea that a flustered response to a very unnerving situation could be misinterpreted for me not taking the matter seriously is incredibly disheartening.”
Carthen responded even earlier, naming the slur used and emphasizing its painful history.
“Words like that carry generations of pain,” she wrote. “Pretending otherwise only keeps the cycle going.”
She encouraged Mustafa, Russell, and fans to donate to the NAACP, UNCF, or the Thurgood Marshall College Fund—an action Mustafa later echoed.
Why does this matter?
On the surface, this might seem like just another reality-TV dustup involving influencers, beauty brands, and Instagram Live. But underneath is a larger conversation about representation, racial dynamics, and the responsibility that comes with public platforms.
The fandom surrounding this season—particularly the fervent Nicolandria Nation—has often veered into unsettling territory, including racist jokes and memes targeting Carthen. That a caller felt comfortable saying a slur on Mustafa’s livestream underscores the culture some fans feel emboldened to participate in.
Carthen’s response reflects what many Black women experience: being expected to represent, educate, and remain composed in circumstances shaped by others’ harm. Mustafa’s fallout, meanwhile, shows how brand partnerships now hinge not just on content but on conduct, empathy, and accountability.
With this being the third racial-slur controversy connected to the season seven cast, it’s clear that the conversation isn’t going away. The hope, as always, is that these moments lead to real introspection—from fans, influencers, and networks alike.
At its best, this fallout is a reminder that anti-racism isn’t just about statements—it’s about culture, community, and the choices people make in the moments that count.
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