The family of “Love Island USA” contestant Cierra Ortega issued a statement on her Instagram story calling for compassion from fans following Cierra’s abrupt exit from the Peacock dating competition series. Cierra, one of Season 7’s original cast members, has received widespread backlash online after a social media post in which she used racist language resurfaced online. It was revealed by narrator Iain Stirling during the July 6 episode (Episode 30) that Cierra “left the villa due to a personal situation.”
“As Cierra’s parents, this has been one of the most painful weeks of our lives,” Cierra’s family statement reads. “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.”
“While Cierra is not in the villa anymore, she is still away,” the statement continues. “She hasn’t had the chance to process any of this or speak for herself. But we know our daughter. We know her heart. And when she returns, we believe she’ll face this 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.”
The statement concludes: “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 had been in an exclusive couple with Nic Vansteenberg for several episodes prior to her exit from “Love Island USA.” He has seen coupled up with Olandria Carthen. The Cierra controversy marks the second time in Season 7 that a contestant has left the show amid backlash over past social media posts. Yulissa Escobar was kicked off the show after two episodes for using racial slurs in old podcast clips that resurfaced online.
“In those clips, I used a word I never should’ve used, a racial slur,” Escobar wrote on her Instagram account in an apology post after her removal. “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.”
“Love Island USA” airs new episodes on Peacock every weeknight except for Wednesdays and Saturdays. The finale is set for Sunday, July 13.
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