Did Cierra Ortega Leave Love Island USA 7… or Was She Fired?
Her departure marks the second removal this season linked to racist behavior
Season 7 of Love Island USA hit a major snag this week when both contestants and viewers noticed one big absence: Cierra Ortega, a standout from the villa. While on-air announcements claimed she left due to a “personal situation,” behind the scenes, producers were scrambling after resurfaced social media posts revealed she had used anti-Asian slurs.
What sparked the exit? Well, old Instagram stories from 2015 and 2023 surfaced showing Cierra using derogatory language toward East Asian people. The backlash online was swift. Within days, she lost over 200,000 Instagram followers as hashtags like #CierraOut began trending and online petitions demanded her removal.
Producers reportedly held urgent “crisis meetings” to decide whether to keep her on the show. This followed an earlier decision to remove Yulissa Escobar—another islander—after past racist comments came to light. On the July 6 episode, Cierra’s departure was confirmed and attributed to a “personal situation,” though the timing clearly aligned with the controversy.
Cierra has left the villa due to a personal situation “mmmmm”” 😭😂#loveislandsusa #LoveIslandUSA
pic.twitter.com/8g9zOYuMKg
— Joy✨ (@jiji00777) July 7, 2025
Was She Fired?
While the show’s official statement was vague, most insiders agree she was asked to leave, not that she quit on her own. However, as Forbes reported, Peacock has not publicly clarified whether her exit was voluntary. Still, her departure marks the second removal this season linked to racist behavior—reaffirming the show’s evolving stance on accountability and zero tolerance.
Cierra’s parents released a heartfelt statement acknowledging the seriousness of the slurs and asking for compassion in the face of online harassment. They explained that Cierra had no access to the outside world while in the villa and promised she would respond “with honesty, growth, and grace” once she returned.
It’s worth noting that Love Island contestants are cut off from external communication during filming, so it’s possible Cierra wasn’t aware of the situation at first.
Meanwhile, reactions from the cast have started to surface. Belle-A Walker, a fellow contestant and proud Asian American, said she was heartbroken but supported the show’s decision, calling it a clear stand that “racism of any kind is not tolerated.” Other islanders and fans echoed the sentiment, pointing to Yulissa Escobar’s earlier removal as proof that the show is aiming for consistency and accountability.
With the finale just days away, her ex-partner Nic Vansteenberghe is single again, and the villa is continuing without her. Expect the drama to shift as the cast—and the audience—move on.