July 7, 2025: In a shocking twist, Love Island USA Season 7 contestant Cierra Ortega has been removed from the villa following the resurfacing of old racist posts that sparked outrage online. The 25-year-old content creator from Phoenix, Arizona, reportedly used an anti-Asian slur in two separate social media posts—one from 2015 and another from 2020.
During Sunday night’s episode, the show’s host Iain Stirling informed viewers that Cierra had exited the villa “due to personal reasons”. However, fans quickly connected the dots, as the controversy had erupted just days before. Stirling also allowed her villa partner, Nic Vansteenberghe, to share his thoughts and potentially explore new connections.
What Did Cierra Ortega Say?
One of the controversial posts that resurfaced was from a 2015 Instagram Story, where Cierra wrote “Still ch**kin’ at the top”—a phrase involving an anti-Asian slur while describing her smile. In a 2020 TikTok video, she repeated a similar slur while talking about getting a mini brow lift, saying, “I can also be a little ch**ky when I laugh/smile.”
These offensive remarks did not sit well with viewers. As the posts gained traction on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, Cierra lost nearly 2 lakh Instagram followers in just 48 hours. Fans were furious, with one person commenting, “Cierra has been saying the same slur for YEARS.”
Fans Compare Her to Previous Contestants
Several fans also drew comparisons between Cierra and former Love Island contestant Yulissa Escobar, who was previously removed from the show for using the N-word. The similarity in both cases sparked discussions on how such behaviour is handled on reality TV.
Show Producers Take Action
Following a series of emergency meetings, the show’s producers took a firm stance. According to The US Sun, a production insider stated, “This kind of language is unacceptable… We had no choice but to act.”
Even host Ariana Madix responded to accusations of staying silent. She posted on Instagram saying, “Not silent. You don’t know what you’re talking about,” defending herself against criticism from fans.
What Happens Next on Love Island?
Cierra’s sudden departure left her partner, Nic Vansteenberghe, single. He has now decided to stay in the villa and reconnect with Olandria Carthen, with whom he shared a bond earlier. But with the upcoming Casa Amor twist, anything can happen. If Nic fails to find a new partner, he could be the next one packing his bags.