Another contestant has exited Love Island USA after an old video resurfaced online, reigniting questions about why reality shows keep finding themselves at the center of social media controversies.
Peacock confirmed this week that Casa Amor bombshell Alannah Keyser will no longer appear on the show after a video circulated online that appeared to show her singing along to Roddy Ricch’s 2019 song “The Box,” which contains the N-word.
Her departure marks the latest in a string of similar controversies for the franchise.
Earlier this season, contestant Vasana Montgomery left the show after videos surfaced that appeared to show her using the same slur. Last season, Yulissa Escobar and Cierra Ortega also exited the series after past videos and social media posts sparked backlash.
At some point, viewers inevitably start asking the same question: Why does this keep happening?
Reality TV Often Attracts Attention-Seeking Personalities
Psychologists have spent years studying the personalities of people drawn to reality television, both as viewers and as participants.
A USC study found that people who strongly desire fame or celebrity tend to score higher on measures of narcissism and attention-seeking, and some research has found higher narcissism scores among reality TV personalities compared with other celebrity groups.
That does not mean reality TV contestants are bad people, nor does it mean they hold prejudiced beliefs.
It may, however, make some contestants more likely to post impulsively, seek attention online or underestimate the long-term consequences of old social media posts resurfacing.
Is There A Link Between Narcissism And Prejudice?
Some research has also found that higher levels of so-called “Dark Triad” personality traits — particularly narcissism, psychopathy and Machiavellianism — are associated with greater prejudice and a greater willingness to express discriminatory attitudes.
The research does not show that narcissists are inherently racist or that they are more likely to use racial slurs specifically.
Instead, psychologists have found correlations between certain personality traits and a greater tendency to express bias, dehumanize out-groups or hold prejudiced views.
The relationships are generally modest and vary widely from person to person.
Singing Lyrics Isn’t The Same As Using A Slur As An Insult
Another reason these incidents become so controversial is that context matters.
Many people draw distinctions between using a slur as an insult and singing lyrics that contain offensive language. Others believe certain words should never be used regardless of context.
Television networks, however, increasingly have little appetite for the debate itself.
In the age of TikTok and online sleuthing, reality TV contestants often face scrutiny that resembles a political opposition research campaign.
Old tweets, podcast appearances, livestreams and videos can resurface within hours of a contestant appearing on screen.
A New Reality For Reality TV
For producers, the issue may be less about proving someone’s beliefs and more about managing public backlash.
Every new controversy raises questions about casting practices and background checks.
And as more contestants discover that nothing posted online truly disappears, reality television is entering a new era — one where a years-old video can end a reality TV career almost overnight.
