Days after Yulissa Escobar unceremoniously left the "Love Island USA" villa, she has issued an apology for the online controversy that preceded her sudden departure.

Before the show's seventh season premiered June 3, fans of the show were in an uproar over resurfaced clips of her using a racial epithet on a podcast. But the 27-year-old Miami businesswoman had presumably already lost access to her phone during production in Fiji. Her exit was briefly mentioned in voiceover narration during the second episode on June 4.

Now off the Peacock show, Escobar has addressed the social-media frenzy over her resurfaced comments.

"First, I want to apologize for using a word I had no right in using. Podcast clips from years ago have recently resurfaced, and I want to address it directly," Escobar wrote in the caption of a June 6 Instagram post.

"In those clips, I used a word I never should’ve used, a racial slur. I used it ignorantly, not fully understanding the weight, history, or pain behind it. I wasn’t trying to be offensive or harmful, but I recognize now that intention doesn’t excuse impact. And the impact of that word is real. It’s tied to generations of trauma, and it is not mine to use."

Escobar continued to explain, "I was speaking casually in conversation, not thinking deeply or critically about what I was saying. But that doesn’t take away from how wrong it was. The truth is, I didn’t know better then, but I do now. I’ve taken the time to reflect, to learn, and to grow from that moment."

She said she has "changed a lot since then" and acknowledged, "Growth means recognizing when you were wrong, even if it’s uncomfortable, and choosing to move forward with humility and accountability."

She denounced statements from others that "don't reflect me or my heart" and shared, "I’m choosing to speak for myself because I take full ownership of my actions."

Escobar ended the post with contrition, writing, "To those who are disappointed or offended, I understand and I apologize. I am sorry."

Peacock has not responded to USA TODAY's request for comment on Escobar's departure.

The show's only on-air acknowledgement that Escobar was no longer on the show was Iain Stirling mentioning around 20 minutes into Episode 2, "Yulissa has left the villa."

Which contestants have been kicked off 'Love Island?'

Over the years, a few Islanders have unceremoniously disappeared from the show, only to later emerge on social media with claims as to why they were no longer on screen. The show seldom issues an explanation through official channels.

Some of these contestants who suddenly stopped appearing on the reality show included Season 2's Noah Purvis, Season 3's Leslie Golden and Season 4's Kyle Fraser.

There have also been emotional departures over the previous six seasons, such as when Day 1 islander Josh Goldstein left the villa with then-partner Shannon St. Claire after his sister died.

How to watch 'Love Island USA'

New episodes of Love Island USA stream Thursday through Tuesday at 9 p.m. E.T. on Peacock.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Love Island USA' star Yulissa Escobar apologizes after sudden exit over racial slur

Reporting by KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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