In a shocking turn of events, Cierra Ortega, a contestant on this summer’s “Love Island USA”, has left the villa just one week before the highly anticipated finale is set to air on Peacock. The announcement, made on Sunday, follows intense backlash from viewers after old social media posts featuring Ortega surfaced, which included a racial slur directed at Asian individuals.
The show’s narrator, Iain Stirling, revealed Ortega's exit during the opening of Sunday’s episode, stating she departed “due to a personal situation.” This marks the second instance this season where a contestant has faced controversy over past social media behavior. Earlier, Yulissa Escobar left abruptly in the second episode after her own clips using racist language were unearthed. Both departures occurred without clear explanations on the show.
Following the announcement of Ortega’s departure, her family took to her Instagram story, expressing a plea for public compassion and understanding. They wrote, “While Cierra is not in the villa anymore, she is still away. She hasn’t had the chance to process any of this or speak for herself.” They emphasized their belief in Ortega’s character, stating, “We know her heart. And when she returns, we believe she’ll face this with honesty, growth, and grace.”
Ortega’s family also highlighted the negative impact of social media, revealing that they, along with Ortega’s friends and supporters, have received threats and cruel messages online. They remarked, “No one deserves that kind of hate, no matter what mistakes they’ve made.” This incident underscores the significant issue of cyberbullying, particularly in the realm of reality television.
“Love Island USA” is the American adaptation of the popular U.K. series, now airing its seventh season. The show features young singles who are brought together in a remote villa in Fiji with the primary objective of finding love. Throughout the season, couples face challenges and new contestants are introduced, leading to dynamic relationship shifts. Contestants are frequently “dumped” from the villa as stronger couples emerge, with the ultimate winning couple receiving a grand prize of $100,000.
In light of recent events, host Ariana Madix has called on fans to refrain from doxxing and harassing the show’s participants. In a recent interview with The Associated Press, she emphasized the importance of kindness and warned against the toxic culture surrounding reality show contestants.
Ortega entered the villa as a “bombshell” contestant at the end of the first episode, quickly forming a connection with Nic Vansteenberghe. The couple remained together until her departure, marking one of the few stable relationships in a season filled with dramatic twists. Just prior to her exit, Ortega and Vansteenberghe had declared they were “closed off” from pursuing new connections, a term commonly used in the show.
Post-Ortega's departure, Vansteenberghe expressed his confusion during the episode, stating, “Before Cierra had left, my mind was clear. I knew what the future would look like, and now, I’m lost.” Following her exit, he remained on the show as a single contestant and eventually re-coupled with fellow islander Olandria Carthen.
In a show of support for Ortega, former contestant Belle-A Walker, who had been eliminated earlier, took to Instagram to share her sentiments regarding the resurfaced posts. As an Asian American, Walker expressed deep appreciation for the show's producers for taking a stand against racism. “Asian hate is oftentimes overlooked and dismissed. But being a first-generation American, I have personally witnessed and experienced how real and hurtful comments like these are,” she stated, emphasizing the need for greater awareness around anti-Asian hate.
The recent events surrounding Cierra Ortega’s exit from “Love Island USA” highlight the critical intersection of social media, reality television, and the ongoing fight against racism. As the season approaches its finale, viewers are left to reflect on the implications of past actions and the importance of fostering a more supportive environment for all contestants.
