Love Island USA Season 7 has thrown curveballs left and right, but no one expected to see Cierra Ortega depart in such a sudden way, especially after closing things off with Nic Vansteenberghe. Warning: some may find this content distressing.
Up until this point, Cierra and Nic had been through plenty of ups and downs, having first coupled up early in the reality TV show when Nic chose her over Belle-A Walker.
They’ve had multiple tests, from new bombshells to Casa Amor, but ultimately decided they wanted to just focus on growing their relationship – meaning no more exploring other connections.
In Friday night’s episode (July 4), they were on the same page about continuing their relationship on the outside. But in Season 7 Episode 30, Cierra made a shocking exit.
Why did Cierra leave Love Island USA?
In the show, it’s revealed that she left the Love Island USA villa “due to a personal situation.” Off-screen, Cierra had been facing backlash over the past few days for a resurfaced social media post in which she used a racial slur.
The 25-year-old content creator from Phoenix, Arizona was found to have used the word ch**** on Instagram, with one post reading, “Botox isn’t for everyone but I love it for me.
“I am incredibly expressive with my face and I catch myself frowning for no reason throughout the day when I’m focusing on something or thinking too hard lol.
“I can also be a little ch**** when I laugh/smile so I love getting a mini brow lift to open up my eyes and get that snatched look. This is not me encouraging but more so sharing.”
After a screenshot of the post was shared on various social media platforms, viewers were calling for her removal, with many pointing out that the same situation unfolded with Yulissa Escobar.
On July 2, one wrote on X/Twitter, “Love Island booted Yulissa for a slur (rightfully), but Cierra did so as well in an old post and it’s crickets?? Keep the same energy. Racism isn’t pick-and-choose.”
Another said on the same day, “Why has Cierra not been dropped from the villa… she’s f**ing racist using slurs. Y’all got Yulissa up out of there quick but not Cierra.”
What does this mean for Nic?
While the news of Cierra’s departure left Nic in shock, he’s now decided to explore his connection with Olandria Carthen.
The pair had attempted to explore this in the past during Casa Amor, but the timing was off. Cierra and Nic ended up getting back together straight after, and Olandria started getting to know Zak Srakaew.
Nic said to his friends, “Right before Cierra had left, my mind was clear. I knew what the future would look like, and now I’m lost. I think now that my strongest connection is gone, there’s like – just figure it out from here.”
When asked if he was going to try to explore another connection in the villa, Nic replied, “I don’t know.”
However, he broached the topic with Olandria again and she ultimately decided to choose Nic during the latest recoupling, sending Zak home.
Outside of the villa, Nic is facing racism accusations of his own, with a resurfaced post of his in which he’s seen dissecting a cat in a high school class. The caption reads, “He say he hungry, this p***y a kitchen,” alongside the hashtag “#chinese”.
Many have accused the post, shared in 2019, of perpetuating racist stereotypes. “Nic a registered Republican and insinuated Chinese people eat cats, Cierra said a slur offending Asians, he should’ve left with her being as though they’re a match,” wrote one.
Another commented, “Correct me if I’m wrong but I hear none of y’all calling out Nic for being racist – y’all are so performative and weird – y’all only care about racism when its to get the girl in your ship out of the way #LoveislandUSA.”
Belle-A responds to Cierra controversy
Bella-A, who was dumped from Love Island USA Season 7 after Nic chose Cierra over her, has since responded to the controversy, saying she can “no longer support” her fellow islander.
Taking to her Instagram Story, she wrote, “As a proud Asian American woman, I’m deeply appreciative of the Love Island USA producers for taking a stand and making it clear that racism of any kind is not tolerated.
“When I first saw what my fellow islander said on their social media pages, I was incredibly heartbroken. But I wanted to wait until they left the villa and were able to address the situation, genuinely apologize, and commit to learning from the experience before deciding how our relationship would look moving forward.
“As screenshots continued to surface, it became clear that I could no longer support this person, and made the decision to unfollow them a couple of days ago.”
She went on to say, “Asian hate is oftentimes overlooked and dismissed. But being a first-generation American, I have personally witnessed and experienced how real and hurtful comments like these are.
“It is my hope that this situation can help shed light on how big of an issue anti-Asian hate actually is. Just like so many other Asian Americans, my mom immigrated here to create a better life for her and her future family.
“Knowing the hardships she and so many others have faced, I could not be silent any longer. Because what good is this amazing platform God and you all have given me if I don’t use it to amplify the voices of my community?
“I do not condone bigotry or racism of any kind. But I also don’t condone hate either. Please think twice before leaving unkind comments to or about this person.”
Cierra’s parents make request
Since being dumped from the villa, Cierra’s parents have shared a statement on her behalf on her Instagram Story, saying that while they don’t condone her actions, they want the threats to stop.
The statement, posted late on July 6, reads, “As Cierra’s parents, this has been one of the most painful weeks of our lives. We’ve seen the posts, the headlines, the hurt, and the hate. And while Cierra hasn’t seen any of it yet, we have. And so have the people who love her.
“We’re not here to justify or ignore what’s surfaced. We understand why people are upset, and we know accountability matters. But what’s happening online right now has gone far beyond that.
“The threats. The cruel messages. The attacks on her family, her friends, even her supporters, it’s heartbreaking. It’s uncalled for. And no one deserves that kind of hate, no matter what mistake they’ve made.”
They went on to say that Cierra is yet to face the backlash, as she’s still “away” despite leaving the villa, but they believe she’ll deal with it with “honesty, growth, and grace.”
“While she’ll always be our little girl, she’s also a woman, one who will take responsibility in her own time and her own voice,” they continued.
“Until then, we’re simply asking for compassion. For patience. For basic human decency. Not just for her, but for everyone caught in the middle of this. Thank you to those who’ve continued to show love, even when it’s not easy.”
Cierra’s exit follows Yulissa Escobar controversy
Cierra is the second islander from Love Island USA Season 7 to face these consequences. Back in June, Yulissa Escobar was removed from the TV show after podcast clips of her using the n-word resurfaced online.
Just days after being removed from the villa, she wrote on Instagram, “First, I want to apologize for using a word I had no right in using. Podcast clips from years ago have recently resurfaced, and I want to address it directly.
“In those clips, I used a word I never should’ve used, a racial slur. I used it ignorantly, not fully understanding the weight, history, or pain behind it.
“I wasn’t trying to be offensive or harmful, but I recognize now that intention doesn’t excuse impact. And the impact of that word is real. It’s tied to generations of trauma, and it is not mine to use.”
She said she didn’t think “deeply or critically” about what she was saying, and that she “didn’t know better then.”
“I’ve changed a lot since then, not just in how I speak, but in how I show up, how I carry myself, and how I honor the experiences of others,” she continued.
“Growth means recognizing when you were wrong, even if it’s uncomfortable, and choosing to move forward with humility and accountability.
“There have also been fake statements circulating, things written or said by others that don’t reflect me or my heart. I want to clarify that this is my voice and my words.
“I don’t need anyone to speak for me. I’m choosing to speak for myself because I take full ownership of my actions. Do not listen to the fake statements. This is my official statement. This is me, speaking directly to you.
“To those who are disappointed or offended, I understand and I apologize. I am sorry.”
Last week, Yulissa appeared on E! to discuss what happened when she was removed from Love Island USA, saying that the producers first asked her to remove her mic.
This left her fearing something had happened to one of her family members, but they told her that a video had resurfaced and that “it’s not looking too good.”
Much like Cierra, Yulissa wasn’t immediately sent home. She waited for another two days to get her phone back while her episodes were airing, before finally discovering the videos that had circulated online.
“I was like, ‘Holy s**t. No way,” she said. “I get it. I said a word that I should have not said. But I wish I would have never said that. It is what it is. I can’t go back in time. I am sorry that I said that word.”
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