“Love Island” star Austin Shepard is getting actual about his battle with dependancy. Throughout a podcast look, the 27-year-old opened up about relapsing whereas filming the present’s spin-off, “Past the Villa.”
Austin Shepard is not any stranger to the highlight, as he was additionally the focal point throughout the newest season of “Love Island” after netizens known as him out for reportedly sharing offensive content material.
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Austin Shepard Relapsed Whereas Filming The ‘Love Island’ Spin-Off
Shepard revealed that he was 11 days sober on the “Beforehand On” podcast by TMZ. The “Love Island” alum shared that earlier than reaching that time, he relapsed through the use of opioids whereas filming season 2 of the present’s spin-off, “Past the Villa.”
“Nobody knew,” he shared. “I’m a fairly manipulative, practical addict till it turns into so unmanageable—like the way it received. However I can bullsh-t for some time.”
Shepard likened himself to a “salesman,” including that he tends to “wave and fake all the pieces is OK.”
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Austin Shepard Revealed His Co-Stars Observed A Change In His Conduct
Elsewhere, throughout his look on the podcast, Shepard confirmed like to his co-stars, who observed the fact star’s demeanor had modified whereas filming “Past the Villa.”
“Charlie began reaching out within the final month and was like, ‘Bro what’s occurring?’” he stated. “I simply received fairly actual with him, simply telling him just about all the pieces. He’s been wishing me love, giving me love. Similar with TJ, Iris. They’ve been sending me love.”
Shepard additionally received actual concerning the difficulties he is confronted whereas managing his sobriety.
“I understand how this street goes,” he stated. “I’ve had loads of buddies who aren’t right here in the present day which have sadly handed from it and it’s both loss of life or a protracted lifetime of distress.”
“That was my second of readability, lastly,” he stated.
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Austin Shepard Sought Skilled Assist
For Shepard, gaining readability was simply one of many issues that helped him take care of his battle. He additionally admitted to looking for skilled assist at one other level throughout his journey.
“There was one evening the place I used to be sitting there, I used to be simply going loopy,” he stated. “I hadn’t slept in 4 nights. I used to be very sick. Simply puking. It was horrible. I used to be like, ‘I have to go someplace, medically.’”
The ability Shepard checked into gave him glorious care, he stated, including that the help of his members of the family has helped strengthen him.
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Shepard Confronted Backlash After Sharing Controversial Posts
In accordance with a earlier report from The Blast, Shepard confronted backlash from the “Love Island” viewers in the summertime of 2025 after he reportedly shared offensive content material on his social media channels.
“I wish to take a second to deal with my current repost that has precipitated offense to a few of you,” he wrote on-line. “As you all know, I’ve a really dry humorousness, and I genuinely didn’t suppose earlier than sharing that content material.”
Shepard had been beneath hearth all through his keep within the “Love Island” villa, as eagle-eyed social media sleuths known as the fact star out for his earlier posts earlier than becoming a member of the solid.
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“I acknowledge that my alternative of content material didn’t resonate properly with everybody, and for that, I sincerely apologize,” Shepard shared. “I’m dedicated to studying from this expertise and to being extra aware sooner or later. Thanks in your understanding and for holding me accountable.”
Days earlier than his apology, Shepard made headlines after responding to a social media consumer who branded the Michigan alum a “racist bigot.”
“I’m going to offer this consideration just one time as a result of that is, like, loopy,” Shepard stated in response. “Are you f-cking dumb? Like, actually, are you dumb? Do you not suppose?”
One other ‘Love Island’ Star Walks Again Controversial Put up
Shepard wasn’t the one “Love Island” star in sizzling water. A earlier report from The Blast states that Yulissa Escobar, who additionally appeared in season 7 of the competitors collection, was booted from the present throughout the second episode after outdated clips of her utilizing a racial slur resurfaced.
On-line, Escobar tried to come clean with her errors, sharing that she beforehand used the N-word whereas “not absolutely understanding the burden, historical past, or ache behind it.”
Escobar went on to say that whereas she meant no hurt, she started to know how severe her phrases had been after being dismissed from the collection.
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“I’ve modified so much since then, not simply in how I communicate, however in how I present up, how I carry myself, and the way I honor the experiences of others,” Escobar continued. “Progress means recognizing if you had been improper, even when it’s uncomfortable, and selecting to maneuver ahead with humility and accountability.”
