Cierra Ortega leaves Love Island USA after resurfaced video draws backlash

Love Island USA season 7 continues to face controversy after Cierra Ortega left the villa during episode 30, which aired on July 6, 2025. Narrator Iain Stirling announced her exit as being due to a “personal situation,” though the departure comes after an old video resurfaced on social media that drew strong reactions from viewers.

The clip, originally posted on Instagram, showed Cierra using a derogatory term for Chinese people while talking about her reasons for getting Botox. In the days that followed, social media was flooded with criticism and calls for her removal, with some fans referencing the earlier departure of another contestant, Yulissa Escobar, under similar circumstances.

Cierra’s family posted a statement on her account, explaining that she had not seen any of the backlash herself and had left the show without knowing what had happened. They said the online reaction had “gone far beyond” holding someone accountable, pointing to threats and hateful messages sent to her and her loved ones.

Her exit also impacted others in the villa, including Nicolas Vansteenberghe, with whom she had been coupled up. Peacock and the show’s producers have not yet issued a public comment about Cierra’s departure.

Cierra’s family responds to backlash and requests compassion after her exit from Love Island USA

After Cierra left Love Island USA, her parents posted a message on Instagram addressing the controversy around the resurfaced video. They explained that Cierra hadn’t been aware of what was happening online while in the villa and had not yet had the chance to speak for herself. They hoped that once she returned, she would handle it with honesty and growth.

“She still hasn't had the chance to process any of this or speak for herself When she returns, we believe she'll face this with honesty, growth and grace,” the post said.

The family said they had been running Cierra’s social media and had received multiple threats and hateful comments. They described the situation as one of the hardest weeks of their lives and said it had moved beyond accountability.

“We’re not here to justify or ignore what’s surfaced. But what’s happening online right now has gone far beyond that,” they wrote.

They also added that they understood why people were upset, but asked for kindness. They reminded viewers that there was a real person behind the screen, and no one should be treated with hate for past mistakes.

The family’s statement comes amid ongoing conversations about how shows handle public reactions when past content from contestants resurfaces during filming.

Fan reaction and show developments following Cierra’s exit in Love Island USA

Cierra’s exit followed public pressure from fans who reacted to the resurfaced video. Many posted comments on Love Island USA’s official social media pages asking why she was still on the show. Some fans compared the situation to Yulissa Escobar’s earlier removal, stating that both contestants had used racial slurs in the past.

A petition was also created on Change.org, asking the show to address the issue and hold Cierra accountable. By Monday morning, it had gathered over 17,000 signatures. While many supported her removal, others expressed concern over the amount of online hate she was receiving, calling for more focus on mental health.

After her departure from Love Island USA, the show aired a short scene of Nicolas Vansteenberghe reacting to the news.

“Right before Cierra had left, my mind was clear. I knew what the future would look like, and now I’m lost,” he said.

In the same episode, a recoupling took place, and Nicolas was chosen by Olandria Carthen. Former Islander Isabelle-Anne Walker also addressed the situation. As an Asian American, she said she was grateful the show addressed the issue, but also urged followers to stop sending hate.

“Think twice before leaving unkind comments to or about this person,” she said.

So far, Peacock has not released an official statement about Cierra’s departure from Love Island USA.

Stay tuned for more updates.