One of the most talked-about contestants on Love Island USA left the show suddenly this week after people found some old social media posts where he used a racial slur against East Asians. It didn’t take long before social media lit up with criticism.
On July 6, the show’s narrator shared that Cierra Ortega had left the villa because of a personal situation. Her partner was left unsure about what was going on, and fans started asking for more clarity. Later, U.S. publications confirmed her exit had to do with old posts that came back into the spotlight.
Two days after the show made its statement, Ortega posted a video to apologize. She looked genuinely upset and said she didn’t realize the word she used was so offensive. “While I was in the villa,” she said, “I had shared some posts where I foolishly used a term that turned out to be extremely hurtful and derogatory.” She especially apologized to the Asian community.
Backstory: Resurfaced Instagram Posts
There are screenshots of two older posts, one from 2015 and another from 2023; where her smile was described using an Asian slur. In the 2023 Instagram Story about Botox, she even wrote, “I can also be a little chinky when I laugh or smile…”
Within just two days of those revelations, over 200,000 people unfollowed her, and a petition on Change.org asking for her removal gathered more than 17,000 signatures.
Show’s Handling and Cast Reaction
The producers did speak to Ortega about breaking the rules, but they chose not to say anything specific about it on the show. Later, another contestant, Zak Srakaew, mentioned during a TikTok Live that all they were told was Ortega had gone against the show’s “guidelines.”
Belle-A Walker, who was part of the cast and has Asian roots, called the whole thing truly heartbreaking. At first, she held back from saying too much, but later admitted, “When I saw it… it really shook me. People just don’t talk enough about the hate Asians face.”
Contestant’s Perspective and Family Statement
Ortega shared honestly that she truly didn’t know the word carried so much hurt. She said that just meaning well isn’t enough when you’re unaware. Once someone pointed it out, she took the posts down and took time to learn more.
Her parents shared that the family had gone through threats and heartless messages. Someone even went as far as calling ICE on them. They pleaded with people to show a little kindness and remember that no one deserves such hatred, no matter what they’ve done wrong.
Broader Implications and Production Adjustments
This is already the second time someone’s been cut from the show this summer. The first was Yulissa Escobar in episode two, after an old video of her using the N-word came up. Both situations have made people question if the producers are checking things properly before casting.
The team behind the show has started checking backgrounds more carefully now, hiring more people for vetting, and even going through social media with a fine-tooth comb to prevent anything like this from happening again.
Live Fan Discourse Intensifies Accountability Debate
Social media lit up with opinions. But one comment stood out, it said what many were thinking:
“It is very offensive to compare your biggest insecurity … to an entire race”
Another fan wrote:
“Asian hate is oftentimes overlooked and dismissed. … This situation can help shed light.”
Love Island USA is still running this season, with the big finale planned for July 13. Behind the scenes, the producers are under pressure to keep things transparent and fair, especially when it comes to how they treat contestants and their families after they leave the show.
