Cierra Ortega, a contestant on Season 7 of Love Island USA, has been removed from the show after past social media posts containing racial slurs resurfaced, sparking backlash from viewers.
Ortega, a 25-year-old content creator from Phoenix, joined the villa as a bombshell and was coupled with Nic Vansteenberghe. Her sudden exit aired on July 6, initially attributed to a “personal situation.” However, it was later confirmed that she was removed due to violations of the show’s code of conduct following the discovery of offensive language used in old tweets and Instagram posts.
The resurfaced posts, dating back to 2015 and as recent as 2023, included anti-Asian slurs, prompting public outcry and a petition demanding her removal that garnered over 17,000 signatures. Following her exit, Ortega released a public apology via Instagram, expressing remorse, acknowledging her ignorance, and accepting full responsibility for her past behavior.
Ortega’s family also released a statement, revealing they had received death threats and faced harassment, including contact with immigration authorities. They condemned her actions but urged the public to stop targeting her loved ones.
The controversy has sparked wider conversations about racism, accountability, and contestant vetting in reality television. Peacock, which airs the show, confirmed Ortega’s removal was due to her failure to adhere to the villa’s standards.
Despite the fallout, Ortega later posted a message thanking the Love Island team and fans, calling the experience “magical” and pledging to show growth through her actions. The season concluded on July 13, with Ortega’s former partner Nic finishing as runner-up alongside Olandria Carthen.
