Cierra Ortega, a contestant on Love Island USA, departed the show citing personal reasons following the resurfacing of controversial social media posts. As her family faces threats, they express the need for compassion amidst the backlash.
Cierra Ortega Exits Love Island USA Amid Racism Controversy
Cierra Ortega Exits Love Island USA Amid Racism Controversy
The 25-year-old contestant leaves the villa after social media backlash and a hate campaign triggered by past posts.
Cierra Ortega, a contestant on Love Island USA, has exited the show "for personal reasons" after troubling old social media posts came to light. The 25-year-old content creator from Los Angeles was noticeably absent from the latest episode of season seven due to the fallout from a 2015 video discussing Botox treatments that included a derogatory term for individuals of Chinese descent.
Following the emergence of these posts, fans criticized Ortega heavily on social media, leading to a surge of negative comments aimed at her. In their defense, Cierra's parents released a statement indicating that their daughter had become a target of online harassment and hate. They called for understanding and urged the community to show compassion during this challenging time.
"Cierra and our family have been subjected to threats and cruel messages," they shared. "This past week has been one of the most painful experiences we've had to endure. We acknowledge that people are upset, and accountability is important. However, the hostility online has far exceeded what is reasonable."
Cierra's family emphasized that while she has temporarily left the villa, she has not yet had the opportunity to address the situation or share her perspective: "We believe that when she returns, she will handle this with honesty and the grace she's known for. Until then, we are asking for basic human decency."
This controversy connects to a string of similar incidents on the show, as fellow islander Yulissa Escobar also faced backlash after videos emerged of her using a racial slur on a podcast from 2021. Yulissa has since apologized, acknowledging her ignorant usage of the term and the pain it may have caused. After leaving the villa, she described her return as stepping into a "warzone," facing severe backlash and threats.
Both cases highlight the intense scrutiny and challenges faced by reality TV stars in the era of social media, as past behaviors can quickly become a point of contention. BBC Newsbeat has reached out to Peacock, the production company behind Love Island USA, for further comment.
