PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Beaverton native has addressed the videos that resurfaced ahead of her removal from “Love Island USA.”

In a statement shared on her Instagram story on Wednesday, Vasana Montgomery apologized for using a racial slur in the clips she said were recorded while she was a teenager.

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“There is no excuse for it, and I am deeply sorry,” Montgomery wrote. “I am embarrassed and disappointed by my words. I take full responsibility for what I said and understand why it has hurt and upset people.”

“Since then, I have grown a lot as a person and taken the time to educate myself, listen, learn, and better understand the impact that language can have. That growth does not erase my mistake, and I am not asking anyone to excuse it. I believe people should be held accountable for their actions, but I also believe in growth, learning, and becoming better. To anyone I hurt or disappointed, I am truly sorry,” she said.

Just last week, “Love Island USA” revealed Montgomery among the original cast members slated to appear in the show’s eighth season. But TMZ later reported the 25-year-old Salem salon owner had been dismissed from the popular dating series streamed on Peacock.

The streaming service claimed the videos circulating online were “privately owned,” and hadn’t been released until after the cast announcement, according to Deadline.

Montgomery did not appear in the premiere of “Love Island USA” on Tuesday. The first episode was originally expected to introduce 12 cast members, including six men and six women, but it was instead reduced to 10 contestants.

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The series also removed an original cast member from its previous season. The contestant was under fire for using racial slurs in podcast clips that had resurfaced, TMZ reported.

“Love Island USA” issued a statement urging fans to “keep it kind” ahead of the latest cast announcement.

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