The eighth season of “Love Island USA” is set to premiere on Peacock, but the reality dating series is already facing controversy.

Vasana Montgomery, a 25-year-old from Oregon, has been removed from the cast after videos surfaced showing her using a racial slur.

This development comes as the show prepares for its return, highlighting ongoing challenges with contestant vetting and public scrutiny.

Peacock confirmed Montgomery's dismissal, noting that the videos were privately owned and only became public after her casting was announced, making them inaccessible during the initial vetting process.

This incident is not new for the franchise; last summer, two contestants were removed from the show mid-season after past instances of them using racial slurs resurfaced on social media.

Adding to the pre-season drama, another contestant for season eight, 29-year-old Sean Reifel, is under fire in his hometown of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Mayor J.

William Reynolds has accused Reifel of abandoning his job as a police officer to join the show, contributing to a staffing shortage in the department.

Reynolds expressed disappointment, stating that the city had invested “thousands of taxpayer dollars to send him to the police academy” and now faces a vacancy that cannot be filled until next year.

In anticipation of potential fan backlash, similar to what some described as a “toxic” response last season, the show’s official Instagram page recently issued a statement.

It urged fans to “keep it positive” with their commentary, emphasizing that “everyone deserves to feel safe and respected.” Last season, contestants and crew members criticized the intensity of online fan behavior, with host Ariana Madix advocating for respectful engagement within the “Love Island” community.

“Love Island USA” became a significant hit for Peacock last year, with its seventh season breaking viewership records and becoming the most-watched original streaming series across all platforms.

Viewership reportedly increased by 150% year-over-year, and the show was streamed for 18.4 billion total minutes during its six-week run.

The show airs daily, except Wednesdays, at 9 p.m.

EST on Peacock, with new episodes of the recap show “Love Island: Aftersun” airing on Saturdays.