For better or worse,Cierra Ortega will be one of the most memorable contestants on the seventh season ofLove Island USA. She andCharlie Georgiouwere the season’s first bombshells, and they entered the villa with a bang in Episode 2. ThoughNic Vansteenberghewas initially coupled up withBelle-A Walker,at the first recoupling ceremony, he chose to dump her in favor of exploring his connection with Cierra, and they remained together for the next several weeks. Up until Episode 30, Cierra and Nic were one of the season’s strongest couples, and the only couple to officially close off.Cierra was removedfrom theLove Islandvilla in Episode 30, as the online controversy surrounding her grew out of control. The show’s narrator simply said that she “has left the villa due to a personal situation, leaving Nic single,” and no further comment was made.
Cierra’s Racist Posts Surfaced While She Was in the Villa
Posts from Cierra’s past resurfaced in which, on multiple occasions,she made casual use of anti-Asian racial slurs.As the posts gained more traction, a petition to have her removed from the show circulated, garnering over 17,000 signatures.Cierra’s follower counton Instagram began to plummet,losing more than 200,000 followersin just a couple of days. It was reported thatLove Island USAproducers and executives were holding crisis meetings to figure out how to respond to the scandal.Cierra became the second islander pulled from the show for using racial slurs;Yulissa Escobarwasyanked from the villaduring the night in Episode 2.
Days before Cierra was pulled, her friends began making statements online. PreviousLove IslandcontestantJohnnie Garcia, a friend of Cierra’s, wrote, “I loved supporting her during her time on the show, but once I came across that post,I felt it was necessary to take a step back.I do not support or condone that kind of language never have, never will.” Another friend,MJ Hedderman, had been running Cierra’s Instagram during the show. As controversy swelled, MJ published her own statement on her personal account, announcing thatshe would be stepping backfrom handling Cierra’s social media. “I see your comments concerning someone I love and care about. I want to be clear that I do not condone racism, bigotry or hate in any way shape or form, nor was I aware of the recent screenshots until they were posted.“It’s unknown at this time how Cierra is handling the situation, and what measures will be taken to hold her accountable.
Most recently, herparents put out a public statementon her Instagram. “We’re not here to justify or ignore what’s surfaced. We understand why people are upset, and we know accountability matters. Butwhat’s happening online right now has gone far beyond that,” they wrote. This season, viewers have already been reminded torefrain from sending hateful messagesto islanders, but the show’s ferventfan base continues to take things too far.TheLove Islandfranchise has a dark history when it comes to parasocial interactions, and multiple past contestants have died by suicide as a direct result of online backlash. “While Cierra is not in the villa anymore, she is still away. She hasn’t had the chance to process any of this or speak for herself.” While Cierra’s racist remarks are abhorrent and warrant serious consequences,her parents are correct that the response online has gotten out of control.
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What Do We Know About Cierra Ortega’s Life Before’Love Island'?
Cierra is a 25-year-old resident of Los Angeles, California, with Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage. Before moving to L.A. she graduated from the University of Arizona. Prior to her time on the show,Cierra’s job involved managing brand partnerships, and she also worked as a content creator and influencer. Surely, her plan was to grow her following on the ratings juggernautLove Island(last year’s fan favoritesleft the villa with as many as three million new followers). Now, however,her future seems uncertain, and time will tell if her career as an influencer continues.
Where to Follow Cierra
To continue following this saga, you can find Cierra online @Cierra.ortega on Instagram and @Cierraortega on TikTok.
Love Island USAairs every night except Wednesday on Peacock at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET. TheSeason 7 finaleairs on Sunday.
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