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Cierra Ortega, a contestant on Season 7 of Love Island USA, has exited the villa following the resurfacing of past social media posts in which she used racial slurs directed at Asian communities. Although the show cited a "personal situation" as the reason for her departure, viewers and fellow cast members linked her exit to the backlash triggered by her offensive comments online.
According to People, the resurfaced content included a post from as recently as 2023, while fans widely circulated a 2015 video featuring a derogatory term targeting Chinese people. This provoked widespread criticism, especially from the Asian American community, including fellow reality stars. Belle-A Walker, an eliminated contestant from the same season, said Ortega's words left her "heartbroken," while Jenn Tran of The Bachelorette stated there was "no excuse" for the remarks, which made her feel "very upset."
On July 6, Ortega's parents issued a statement via her Instagram Story, where they addressed the controversy and the online reaction. They stated, "This has been one of the most painful weeks of our lives. We've seen the posts, the headlines, the hurt and the hate." The family emphasized they were not trying to "justify or ignore what's surfaced," adding, "We understand why people are upset, and we know accountability matters."
However, the statement also highlighted the toll the incident has taken on Ortega's loved ones, calling out the "threats," "cruel messages," and "attacks on her family, her friends, even her supporters." They described the level of vitriol as "heartbreaking" and "uncalled for," stressing, "No one deserves that kind of hate, no matter what mistake they've made."
They further clarified that Ortega had not yet returned home or accessed her phone, meaning she was unaware of the full extent of the backlash. "She hasn't had the chance to process any of this or speak for herself. But we know our daughter. We know her heart. And when she returns, we believe she'll face this with honesty, growth, and grace."
This marks the second incident in the season involving racist language. Earlier, contestant Yulissa Escobar was removed after past podcast clips surfaced. In her apology, Escobar said, "I used it ignorantly, not fully understanding the weight, history, or pain behind it."
The Season 7 finale of Love Island USA is scheduled for July 13 on Peacock.
