Love Island USA star Iris Kendall’s team has put out a statement about her story line on screen as she remains sequestered in the villa.
“Running Iris’s account while she’s in the villa, we’ve received a lot of questions about our thoughts on what’s happened involving iris on the show. There’s a reason we’ve chosen not to engage,” read an Instagram post shared before week 3 of the Peacock reality series kicked off on Sunday, June 22. “We want to be clear, any hate or negativity toward anyone else in the villa is not something we condone. If we ever accidentally like a shady comment, please know it’s just that, an accident.”
The people running Iris’ account urged viewers to choose kindness.
“Everyone on this show is human, and they all deserve compassion. What we do want to say is how incredibly proud we are of Iris,” the statement continued. “She’s handled everything with so much empathy, grace, and strength. She’s a true girls’ girl, loyal, kind, and grounded and she deserves real love and lasting friendships.”
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The statement concluded: “We’re doing our best to foster a platform filled with love and positivity for her to come home to, because that’s the kind of community she would want. A space rooted in kindness, empathy, and understanding, not judgment or spite. Let’s all try to lead with a little more softness.”
The caption for the post noted that Iris “would’ve wanted this” out there.
“SO grateful for all the love & support you’ve been showing her!!!” the message read. “So let’s keep it kind, soft, and a unbothered just like our girl.”
Love Island USA viewers saw Iris, 25, join season 7 during week 2 as a bombshell. She quickly found herself stuck in a love triangle with Jeremiah Brown and Huda Mustafa after America voted to pair up Iris and Jeremiah, 25.
Huda, 24, and Jeremiah, meanwhile, received backlash from fans and their fellow Islanders alike for immediately refusing to explore other possible connections after being coupled up the first night. They had a dramatic breakup, which led to Jeremiah briefly considering a romantic future with Iris. The duo reconsidered their chemistry on Sunday’s episode before Jeremiah was voted off the show.
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Iris’ isn’t the first statement issued by an Islander’s team since Love Island USA season 7 debuted earlier this month. Chelley Bissainthe‘s friends recently slammed the popular fan theory that she was close to Ace Green before they coupled up in the villa.
“We want to be transparent and clear the air as some of the rumors have gotten far from the truth,” a statement shared via Chelley’s Instagram read on Thursday, June 19. “Chelley and Ace briefly crossed paths in New York and later connected on social media.”
The statement added: “They were never in a relationship, never lived together and there are no children or hidden past. What’s unfolding now is real, unscripted and could change at any moment. We’re fully supporting Chelley, wherever her heart leads and with whomever she chooses to couple [up] with.”
New episodes of Love Island USA are released six days a week — except for Wednesdays — on Peacock.
