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Popular cosmetics label Huda Beauty has officially terminated its partnership with “Love Island USA” Season 7 contestant Huda Mustafa following a racism scandal that went viral on social media this week.
The move came after a clip from a livestream involving Mustafa and her boyfriend, Louis Russell—known from Netflix’s “Too Hot To Handle” and “Perfect Match”—surfaced online, sparking widespread outrage for including a racial slur aimed at Mustafa’s former co-star Olandria Carthen.
Huda Beauty’s Statement: “Behavior That Does Not Align With Our Values”
On October 31, Huda Beauty issued a public statement on Instagram addressing the controversy without directly naming Mustafa, referring instead to “a recent collaborator.” The company expressed disappointment over “behavior that does not align with our values” and confirmed that the partnership had been terminated.
“We are truly disappointed by Huda Mustafa’s recent live and we take all forms of racism very seriously,” the brand’s statement read. “While we don’t believe her actions reflect her character, we found them deeply upsetting.”
The beauty company added that it understood the emotional toll the incident had caused among both its community and internal team members.
“We know that many members of our community and team were hurt and offended by these actions,” the statement continued. “Accountability is incredibly important in moments like this, and we hope meaningful change can come from it.”
As part of the decision, Huda Beauty announced it would remove all campaign materials and social media content related to Mustafa, ensuring that no branded content featuring her remains visible online or in stores.
The Incident: Livestream Sparks Outrage
The controversy erupted after footage circulated on TMZ and social platforms showing Mustafa and Russell during an Instagram livestream. The couple received a phone call from an unknown viewer, who used a racial slur directed at Olandria Carthen, a fellow “Love Island” contestant and model.
In the clip, both Mustafa and Russell appeared momentarily stunned before laughing awkwardly and ending the call. Russell can be heard saying, “Whoa, hey, hey,” as the video cuts off.
The laughter and perceived lack of immediate condemnation triggered intense backlash online, with critics accusing Mustafa of failing to take the incident seriously and of being complicit through her reaction. The viral clip prompted thousands of comments calling for brands to cut ties with the reality TV personality.
Olandria Carthen’s Response: ‘Call for Real Accountability’
In response to the incident, Olandria Carthen—who has previously spoken out against racism within the reality TV community—issued a powerful statement through her Instagram stories on October 29.
“The language used in that livestream is unacceptable,” Carthen wrote. “I do not condone racism of any kind—not in anger, not as a joke, not ever.”
She added,
“Words like that carry generations of pain, and pretending otherwise only keeps the cycle going. Defending it, laughing about it, or making excuses is even worse. I will not let this moment derail my purpose of uplifting my community. I’m standing firm in who I am and using this as an opportunity to call for real accountability and awareness.”
Carthen also pledged to make personal donations to the UNCF, NAACP, and Thurgood Marshall College Fund, encouraging others to support initiatives that empower and educate the Black community.
Previous Tensions Between Carthen and Mustafa
This is not the first time tensions between Mustafa and Carthen have surfaced. During the “Love Island USA” Season 7 reunion, which aired on August 25, Carthen publicly criticized Mustafa for failing to address racist behavior from some of her fans toward both Carthen and fellow contestant Chelley Bissainthe after the show ended.
Carthen’s remarks at the time drew widespread support from viewers who praised her for speaking out about racial discrimination within the reality TV industry. The latest incident has reignited that conversation, with fans demanding stronger accountability measures for reality show contestants-turned-influencers.
Industry and Public Reaction
Huda Beauty’s swift response has been largely praised by fans and advocacy groups, who commended the brand for taking a firm stance against racism and upholding its diversity and inclusion commitments.
Social media users also applauded the company’s decision to remove all promotional content featuring Mustafa, with many calling it a “necessary precedent” in influencer partnerships.
Meanwhile, representatives for Huda Mustafa and Louis Russell have yet to issue an official apology or detailed comment regarding the incident. The couple’s social media accounts have remained largely inactive since the controversy broke.
A Growing Demand for Accountability
The Huda Mustafa controversy highlights a growing expectation of ethical responsibility among influencers and brand collaborators. As audiences increasingly demand transparency and social awareness from public figures, companies like Huda Beauty face pressure to act decisively when partners violate their core values.
By cutting ties, the beauty brand not only distanced itself from controversy but also reaffirmed its public commitment to inclusivity — a cornerstone of its global image.
