Cierra Ortega Leaves Love Island USA Season 7

Cierra Ortega has left Love Island USA Season 7. She faced strong backlash for past racist TikTok posts. Her family has spoken out against the online harassment and threats she received.

Why Did Cierra Ortega Leave Love Island USA Season 7?

Cierra Ortega’s exit from Love Island USA wasn’t just a plot twist. It came after a storm of backlash over her old social media posts. Viewers found a 2023 Instagram Story where Cierra used a racial slur. She described her face looking “a little chi*ky” when she laughed. She said it was why she got Botox. Another post from 2015 resurfaced with the same slur. When called out, she tried to justify it by saying it was a real word in the dictionary.

The term “chi*ky” is a known racial slur against East Asian communities. Many fans were shocked to see it used so casually, not just once, but repeatedly.

Ayo! Have y’all seen this 👀 Cierra is caught using a racial slur! pic.twitter.com/FvVVQgvtKo

— 𖠞ೃ࿔:･ (@bakedpotato710x) July 1, 2025

Not Cierra being called out that she used a slur way back when she posted it and she said “well that’s just your opinion!” pic.twitter.com/tXlKr7sc1a

— B 🇵🇸🍉 (@californiabarby) July 6, 2025

As these posts spread on Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok, outrage grew. Many demanded her exit from the show. After a week of backlash, she was finally asked to leave the villa on Sunday’s (July 6) episode.

Cierra’s Family Issues Emotional Statement

After her removal from Love Island USA Season 7, Cierra’s family shared a statement on her Instagram Stories. They described it as “one of the most painful weeks” of their lives. They acknowledged seeing the posts, the headlines, and the hurt, even though Cierra hadn’t.

They didn’t deny the situation or make excuses. They stated clearly that they “understand why people are upset” and that they “know accountability matters.” But they also condemned the level of hate directed at Cierra and those around her.

“The threats. The cruel messages. The attacks on her family, her friends, even her supporters—it’s heartbreaking,” they wrote. They added that it was “uncalled for” and that no one deserves that kind of hate, “no matter what mistake they’ve made.”

At the time of the post, Cierra was still away and hadn’t had the chance to process the situation or speak for herself. Her family said they know her heart and believe she’ll face it all “with honesty, growth, and grace.”

They described the balance between seeing her as their “little girl” and recognizing that she is also a grown woman. She will eventually take responsibility “in her own time and in her own voice.”

Until then, they asked for compassion and patience. “For basic human decency. Not just for her, but for everyone caught in the middle of this.” The statement ended with a thank you to those who have continued to show love and support, “even when it’s not easy.”

Cierra Ortega’s family’s statement after her Love Island exit | Credit: Instagram

Not the First Contestant to Exit Over Racism

Cierra’s removal marks the second time this season a contestant has been taken off due to racist behavior. Earlier, Yulissa—another islander—faced similar scrutiny and was also removed after fans discovered racially insensitive content linked to her social media.

Cierra Has Lost Over 250,000 Followers Since the Controversy

Since the racism allegations came to light, Cierra Ortega has lost over 250,000 followers on Instagram. Many brands she was associated with have either paused their promotions or removed collaborations from their pages. Her account handler also stepped down following the backlash.

For fans who had initially rooted for Cierra, her exit was disappointing. But for others, it felt like long-overdue accountability finally catching up.

Meanwhile, Love Island USA Season 7 is now in its finale week. Alongside Cierra, Zak Srakaew, who joined as a Casa Amor bombshell, was also dumped from the villa after receiving the fewest public votes.

The remaining islanders vying for a spot in the final include:

• Ace
• Chelley
• Amaya
• Nic
• Chris
• Huda
• Clarke
• Taylor

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