Love Island USA's Kendall responds to gay rumors after leaked video

Love Island USAKendall wasn't the most popular houseguest in Casa Amor. But after his phone was hacked and explicit images were leaked without his consent, the reality TV star faced a wave of online abuse, including homophobic slurs.

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Kendall Washington finished Love Island USA Season 6 after getting back together with Nicole Jacky. Although he was accused of breaking up with his ex to get on the dating show in the first place, he unfairly faced the wrath of the internet when several sexually explicit videos of him made the rounds (it is not confirmed who originally leaked the footage).

Love Island USA's Kendall reacts to gay rumors

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Worse, he was initially unable to access his phone to defend himself, but now he finally seems to have access to it and responded via Instagram stories. “Guys what a way to get my phone back. I just want to address the content that has come to light from my past,” he wrote.

“This was something I told someone in confidence and trust,” he continued. “It's unfortunate that it's no longer private, but it is what it is. I want to thank you all for the calls/texts that have supported me during this time. I am so grateful for my Love Island experience and I love you all for tuning in to follow my journey.”

Support is right. So many fans took to social media to support Kendall, saying that while they weren't fans of him on the show, “using that to post homophobic crap is not okay and 2. Just because a guy likes anal doesn't mean he's gay… that's all,” one tweeted.

Kendall's sister Taylor also defended her sister on social media. “I'm not able to respond to everyone individually, but I appreciate that everyone is concerned about Kendall's mental health. I am too,” she wrote. “@LoveIslandUSA I really hope you guys get serious mental health resources for him so that he doesn't come off the high of this experience and go back to the general reality TV backlash and see that he was unfairly exposed. If there have been people committing suicides on your show, I really hope you all get this under control quickly.”