Another cast member from Love Island USA has landed in some online controversy. It’s not quite as bad as the girl whose use of the N-word got her kicked out of the villa. However, the latest developments surrounding the new bombshell, TJ Palma, have left some fans feeling the ick.
TJ entered the Love Island USA villa during Season 7 Episode 15. The collegiate baseball player turned Airbnb “superhost” arrived after Megan Thee Stallion hosted a twerk competition for the Islanders. It was fun to watch, but fans quickly lost interest in TJ when they dove into his social media.
As TikTok user Haley Metzger pointed out. TJ follows Andrew Tate on Twitter/X. The misogynistic influencer and former professional kickboxer faced rape and human trafficking charges in Britain. Plus, authorities launched an investigation for similar charges in Romania. As Haley and many Love Island fans noted, following someone with those types of accusations presents some serious questions about TJ’s beliefs.
Haley said, “TJ follows Andrew Tate on Twitter. This is the red flag of all red flags. Why is the casting team not flagging this?”
To make matters worse, Haley also uncovered a video from TJ’s best friend from back home, a dude named Jarret Chambers. In a since-deleted TikTok, he said that his buddy TJ was looking for a “submissive brown-haired woman.” He also tried to justify TJ’s support of the accused human trafficker by saying that he follows him for “business advice.”
TJ’s job is being an Airbnb host, so it’s unclear what advice a Tate brother would have to offer in that arena. Either way, Haley pointed out that it’s unfair for the women of Season 7 to be potentially matched with someone who could have extreme views.
“It’s borderline negligence to put a guy like this in a villa with young women who have no idea the type of guy he is,” Haley said, slamming the Love Island USA production.
Meanwhile, Love Island USA fans are letting their thoughts be known in TJ’s Instagram comments. The fact that some people think he looks like Vice President JD Vance certainly isn’t helping his case.
Love Island USA continues every day except Wednesdays on Peacock.
TELL US – ARE YOU SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT TJ FOLLOWS ANDREW TATE? DO YOU THINK LOVE ISLAND CASTING SHOULD LOOK FOR THOSE KINDS OF RED FLAGS?
This story originally appeared on Realitytea
