Huda Beauty has officially terminated its partnership with Love Island USA contestant Huda Mustafa following backlash over her reaction to a racial slur during a livestream.
The Dubai-based cosmetics brand announced the decision on Friday, citing a “lack of seriousness” in addressing the incident. The collaboration, launched just last month, was part of one of Huda Beauty’s most requested influencer campaigns.
Controversy Over Racial Slur Incident
The controversy erupted after a video surfaced of Mustafa, 25, and her boyfriend Louis Russell laughing during an Instagram Live when a caller used a racial slur aimed at fellow Love Island USA star Olandria Carthen.
Although Russell appeared shocked and tried to intervene, Mustafa continued laughing and asking what the caller said. The clip quickly spread online, prompting widespread criticism.
Brand Response and Termination
In an official statement, Huda Beauty said:
“We are truly disappointed by Huda Mustafa’s recent live. We take all forms of racism very seriously. While we don’t believe her actions reflect her entire character, the behavior and handling of the situation do not align with our brand values.”
The company clarified that the decision was “not about canceling people,” but about “accountability and the lack of seriousness around the issue.”
All promotional materials featuring Mustafa have since been removed from Huda Beauty’s social media channels and store displays.
Mustafa’s Apology
Initially, Mustafa downplayed the situation, claiming she hadn’t heard the slur. However, after mounting backlash, she issued a public apology to Carthen:
“Olandria – it is now clear that this comment was targeted at you, and I apologize for my reaction. I was caught off guard, and my response was inappropriate.”
Carthen later addressed the incident on Instagram, writing:
“Words like that carry generations of pain. Laughing or making excuses only keeps the cycle going. This moment calls for real accountability.”
Background
Mustafa’s collaboration with Huda Beauty was launched in partnership with Sephora stores across New York. The campaign was heavily promoted by Huda Kattan, founder of the global beauty empire.
This latest controversy adds to a string of issues involving former Love Island USA contestants — with several facing backlash for racial remarks — and comes as Kattan herself faces scrutiny over comments made on TikTok.