Huda Beauty Cuts Ties With Huda Mustafa Over Slur Scandal

In the world of reality TV and brand collaborations, actions have consequences. Huda Beauty has officially ended its partnership with Huda Mustafa, a star from ‘Love Island USA’ Season 7, following a deeply concerning incident involving a racial slur.

The Incident Unfolds

The controversy erupted when Mustafa and her boyfriend, Louis Russell (known from ‘Too Hot To Handle’), were on a livestream. During the broadcast, they took a call that, according to reports, involved a caller using a racial slur directed at their fellow ‘Love Island USA’ castmate, Olandria Carthen. The most disturbing part? Mustafa and Russell were reportedly caught laughing in response to the slur before hanging up.

This reaction immediately sparked widespread backlash. Many felt the laughter, regardless of the circumstances, showed a lack of seriousness and empathy towards the gravity of racial slurs and the pain they inflict. The incident quickly escalated, drawing criticism from fans and fellow cast members alike.

Apologies and Explanations

In the wake of the scandal, both Mustafa and Russell issued statements. Mustafa claimed they didn’t fully hear the slur, only a ‘bad word,’ and that their laughter was a reaction to the awkwardness of an apparent prank call, not the content itself. She emphasized that she does not condone racism.

Russell, who is Black, initially defended Mustafa but later issued a broader apology, expressing shock at the casual use of harmful language and stating that the situation did not reflect their values. He highlighted their commitment to using their platforms for under-represented voices.

Olandria Carthen herself addressed the incident, condemning racism in all its forms and emphasizing the generational pain such language carries. She called for accountability and suggested donations to organizations like the UNCF, NAACP, and Thurgood Marshall College Fund as a way to transform the moment into something actionable.

Huda Beauty’s Stance

For Huda Beauty, the incident crossed a line. The cosmetics company released a statement explaining their decision to end the partnership. They emphasized that ‘kindness and humanity are at the heart of everything we do’ and that Mustafa’s behavior ‘does not align with our values.’

While acknowledging they didn’t believe Mustafa’s actions reflected her entire character, Huda Beauty found them ‘deeply upsetting’ and recognized the hurt caused to their community and team. They stated that the lack of seriousness around the issue and the offense taken by those close to the brand led to the decision to terminate the partnership and remove related content.