Love Island USA Star Exits Villa Amid Racism Row

Cierra Ortega has left the Love Island USA villa after old social media posts resurfaced that contained a derogatory term for Chinese people. The twenty five year old content creator from Los Angeles was absent from the latest episode of season seven, prompting questions about her sudden departure. In response, her parents issued a statement saying she had chosen to leave “for personal reasons” after being targeted by an online hate campaign.

They explained that while accountability is important, the level of abuse directed at Cierra and her family had become overwhelming. Her relatives, who have been managing her social media accounts during filming, reported receiving threats and cruel messages. “No one deserves that kind of hate, no matter what mistakes they have made,” they wrote, asking viewers for compassion and patience until their daughter has a chance to process events and speak for herself.

BBC Newsbeat has reached out to Peacock, the producers of Love Island USA, for comment but has not yet received a response. Cierra’s exit follows a similar departure by fellow islander Yulissa Escobar. Yulissa left the villa when videos from a 2021 podcast reemerged in which she used a racial slur. She later apologised on Instagram, acknowledging she spoke “ignorantly” and had failed to understand the history and pain behind the term.

After leaving the show, Yulissa described returning to an online “war zone” and said she had received death threats. In a follow up post, she emphasised her commitment to reflection, growth and accountability, even when it is uncomfortable. Both departures have sparked wider discussion about past online behaviour and the responsibilities of reality television participants.

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