Cierra Ortega Exits ‘Love Island USA’ Season 7 After Backlash Over Resurfaced Racial Slur; Fans and Family Respond

Cierra Ortega Leaves ‘Love Island USA’ Season 7 Amid Racial Slur Controversy and Fan Outcry

LOS ANGELES — Cierra Ortega’s sudden exit from Love Island USA Season 7 has stirred significant reaction from fans and media alike, after a resurfaced social media post revealed the reality star used a racial slur in a 2015 video.

Her departure was announced in Episode 30, with narrator Iain Stirling citing a “personal situation” as the reason. However, the timing of Ortega’s exit closely followed the viral spread of an Instagram post in which she used a derogatory term targeting Chinese people.

Backlash and Mixed Reactions

The backlash was immediate and divisive. While many praised the network for responding swiftly, others argued the post lacked malicious intent and dated back nearly a decade.

“It’s ignorance, not hate,” one fan wrote on social media. Others strongly disagreed, pointing to a need for accountability regardless of timing or intent.

In a public statement, Ortega’s parents addressed the controversy directly, revealing that the family has received threats and hate messages since the post resurfaced. They called the past week “one of the most painful” of their lives.

“We’re not here to justify or ignore what surfaced,” they wrote. “We understand why people are upset and we know accountability matters. But what’s happening online right now has gone far beyond that.”

They also noted that Cierra “still hasn’t had the chance to process any of this or speak for herself,” and urged fans to show “compassion, patience, and basic human decency.”

Impact on the Villa and Show

Cierra’s partner, Nic, expressed confusion and concern, noting that the two were “closed off” and officially together at the time of her exit. The show has not issued a formal statement confirming the reason for her departure.

This marks the second racial controversy of the season. Earlier, fellow Islander Yulissa Escobar was removed after clips of her using the N-word during a 2021 podcast re-emerged. Escobar later apologized, saying she used the slur “ignorantly” and has since received death threats as part of the online fallout.

The Bigger Picture

The controversy underscores a broader shift in reality TV, where public opinion increasingly shapes casting and contestant outcomes. With social media amplifying past behavior, networks face rising pressure to act quickly—and transparently.

Episodes of Love Island USA air daily (except Wednesdays) at 9 PM ET on Peacock.