‘Love Island USA' contestant Cierra Ortega exits the show after resurfaced social media posts cause stir
Ortega's exit, which came a week before the dating show's Season 7 finale, was announced in a voiceover that said she left the show for a 'personal situation,' without any further explanation.
The timing was notable because last week, two social media posts from 2015 and 2023 began circulating online that appeared to show Ortega using a racial slur while contemplating cosmetic procedures she wanted to get, according to the Daily Mail.
Asked about Ortega's exit, a representative for Peacock, the platform on which 'Love Island USA' streams, told CNN, 'We won't be providing a comment.'
On social media, Ortega's parents spoke out about the 'cruel messages' that their daughter has received on social media during the past week and leading up to her abrupt departure from the show during Sunday's episode.
'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,' the statement, posted to Ortega's Instagram story Sunday night, read. '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.'
Ortega's parents continued to write that the 'threats' to her friends, family and supporters are 'uncalled for' and that 'no one deserves that kind of hate, no matter what mistake they've made.'
Over 17,000 people signed an online petition calling for her exit from the series.
Since Ortega is still sequestered following her exit, her parents wrote in their statement, '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,' they added. 'Until then, we're simply asking for compassion. For patience. For basic human decency.'
Love Island USA will conclude its season on July 13.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
JaNa Craig Torches Kenny Rodriguez in Scathing Instagram Rant After Polished Breakup Statement: 'STFU, You Manipulative Liar'
What began as a cordial, albeit painful, split between Love Island USA Season 6 favorites JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez has detonated into a full-blown social media war, and JaNa just burned the house down. In a savage follow-up to Kenny's polished and diplomatic breakup post, JaNa Craig exploded on Instagram Tuesday morning, accusing her ex of manipulation and emotional deceit. Craig's latest statement isn't just a clapback. It's scorched earth. '@kennyrodriguez stfu you manipulative liar,' she wrote bluntly. 'You not taking accountability and telling people the type of person you really are is insane to me!! My first statement was me being nice. Do not piss me off.' A Breakup Gone Nuclear Only an hour before Craig unleashed her fury, Kenny took to Instagram to share a carefully worded and emotionally tender message reflecting on their breakup and attempting to close the chapter on good terms. 'The past few days have been incredibly difficult,' Kenny wrote. 'Breakups are never easy, especially in the public eye… Sometimes, despite how deeply you care for someone, you come to the hard truth that the relationship was not something that could last long-term. I release this chapter with no ill will, only a hope that JaNa's path forward brings her nothing but happiness.' But to JaNa, the sentiment reeked of performative grace. And she wasn't having it. Her initial statement, shared with fans earlier today, was already heavy with veiled disappointment, hinting that something far more sinister had gone down behind closed doors. 'Thank you for all your love & support,' JaNa told fans. 'Please know that I have seen all the breakup theories and none have matched up to how terrible, disgusting and disappointing it truly is. Discovering that someone you loved isn't who you thought they were and that the relationship you thought you were building hasn't been genuine since day one has been truly devastating.' TMZ Confirms the Breakup and the Fallout Sources close to the couple told TMZ the split went down on Sunday morning, and it was JaNa who pulled the plug. While it's unclear what exactly triggered the end of their romance, the aftermath has been explosive. Fans noticed the couple had unfollowed each other and removed each other's names from their bios within hours, the classic Love Island death knell. Even more damning: JaNa's tight-knit inner circle, Serena Page and Leah Kateb, also known as 'PPG' (Powerpuff Girls) from their Love Island days, quickly unfollowed Kenny as well. Their boyfriends followed suit. This wasn't a mutual fade-out. This was a coordinated erasure. 'You don't unfollow someone's entire circle unless something nasty went down,' one Twitter user posted. 'I'm choosing to believe JaNa 100%.' The Split Heard 'Round the World JaNa and Kenny were once fan-favorite finalists from Love Island USA Season 6, celebrated for their electric chemistry and wholesome, goofy energy. But cracks had reportedly been forming behind the scenes, with fans recently clocking a noticeable shift in their online dynamic. They were posting loved-up photos one night and wiping each other from their digital lives the next. Insiders say JaNa has been leaning heavily on her friends since the breakup. Despite the public drama, those close to her say she's staying grounded in her faith and inner strength. 'As a child of God, I will always be okay,' she assured fans in her original post. Kenny, on the other hand, appears to be staying silent following JaNa's verbal evisceration. His Instagram story is now gone. He has yet to respond. The post JaNa Craig Torches Kenny Rodriguez in Scathing Instagram Rant After Polished Breakup Statement: 'STFU, You Manipulative Liar' appeared first on Where Is The Buzz | Breaking News, Entertainment, Exclusive Interviews & More. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Kenny Rodriguez Responds to JaNa Craig's Brutal Breakup Statement: 'No Ill Will'
Love Island USA Season 6 alums JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez have officially called it quits, and while fans already suspected trouble in paradise, the back-to-back breakup statements from both parties have confirmed the rumors in the most dramatic way possible. The two reality stars, who placed third in last year's season of the hit Peacock dating show, are now embroiled in a public fallout that began with cryptic social media moves and ended with brutally honest Instagram story statements that couldn't be more different in tone. JaNa Craig Unleashes: 'Terrible, Disgusting, and Disappointing' JaNa Craig, known to fans for her sharp wit and unshakeable loyalty in the villa, didn't hold back when addressing the breakup to her followers. In an emotional Instagram story shared earlier this week, JaNa said: 'Hi my loves. Thank you for all your love & support. It means the world to me. As you know, Kenny and I are no longer together. Please know that I have seen all the breakup theories and none have matched up to how terrible, disgusting and disappointing it truly is. Discovering that someone you loved isn't who you thought they were and that the relationship you thought you were building hasn't been genuine since day one has been truly devastating. Thank you for respecting my privacy and please know as a child of God, I will always be okay.' Her message paints a devastating picture of betrayal and emotional deception, a sharp contrast to the seemingly blissful romance that fans saw develop on-screen during their time in the Love Island villa. Kenny Rodriguez Responds: 'No Ill Will' Shortly after JaNa's statement ignited a storm on social media, Kenny took to his own platform to share a more subdued and philosophical take on the breakup: 'The past few days have been incredibly difficult. I've been quietly sitting with a lot of emotions and doing my best to process everything privately. Breakups are never easy, especially in the public eye. Sometimes, despite how deeply you care for someone, you come to the hard truth that the relationship was not something that could last long-term. I'll always be grateful for the time we shared and the memories we created. I release this chapter with no ill will, only a hope that JaNa's path forward brings her nothing but happiness.' While Kenny's message projects grace and calm, fans are quick to point out that the tone doesn't address JaNa's scathing accusations, and many believe his silence on the alleged deception speaks volumes. The Fallout: Unfollows, Friendship Lines Drawn, and Fan Theories Run Wild TMZ confirmed that the couple broke up Sunday morning, with sources close to the situation claiming JaNa was the one to end things. Since then, the unraveling of their relationship has played out in real time across social media. Fans first noticed red flags when both JaNa and Kenny unfollowed each other and scrubbed mentions from their Instagram bios. But that wasn't all. JaNa's closest allies on the show, Serena Page and Leah Kateb, known to fans as the 'Powerpuff Girls' or 'PPG,' swiftly unfollowed Kenny as well, along with their respective boyfriends. This unified front strongly suggests that JaNa's inner circle is standing firmly behind her and hints at a serious behind-the-scenes incident that turned what appeared to be a fairy tale into a fiery finale. From Fan Favorites to Frenemies? JaNa and Kenny's relationship captivated audiences throughout Season 6, with Kenny arriving late to the villa on Day 13 but quickly forming one of the most solid connections of the season. Despite finishing in third place, they exited the show with a strong fan base and high hopes from viewers who believed in their love story. The season's winners, Serena Page and Kordell Page, have since remained a fixture in JaNa's life, and their decision to unfollow Kenny amid the split further solidifies the fracture between the once-close castmates. As fans continue to dissect every move and every caption, the couple's messy breakup stands in stark contrast to the polished, filtered love story that played out on TV. The emotional statements from both parties offer a rare peek into the often-unseen cracks beneath the reality TV romance surface. No Reconciliation in Sight As of now, there appears to be zero chance of a reunion. JaNa's remarks hint at betrayal, dishonesty, and deep emotional wounds, while Kenny's peaceful statement reads more like a quiet goodbye than a plea to repair what's been broken. We have reached out to reps for both contestants. No official comment has been returned. One thing's for certain: JaNa and Kenny may not have won the $100,000 prize, but they've delivered a breakup that's richer in drama than anything we saw on screen. And as always, the villa giveth and the villa taketh away. The post Kenny Rodriguez Responds to JaNa Craig's Brutal Breakup Statement: 'No Ill Will' appeared first on Where Is The Buzz | Breaking News, Entertainment, Exclusive Interviews & More.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Leah Kateb DRAGS Kenny Rodriguez to Hell After JaNa Craig Split: ‘Racist, Clout-Hungry, ChatGPT Headass'
What started as a typical post-breakup 'wish you well' Instagram story has now erupted into a full-fledged digital war. The once fan-favorite couple from Love Island USA Season 6, JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez, have officially split, and what followed was not for the faint of heart. In a matter of 48 hours, the breakup has devolved into a scorched-earth social media campaign, with JaNa's close friend and castmate Leah Kateb launching brutal accusations against Kenny, including claims of racism and scamming. Let's unpack the chaos. JaNa and Kenny's Split: The Calm Before the Storm TMZ broke the news that JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez called it quits early Sunday morning, with multiple sources confirming that JaNa was the one who ended things. While the initial details were scarce, observant fans noticed the pair had unfollowed each other on Instagram and removed each other's names from their bios. Soon after, their 'Powerpuff Girls' besties Serena Page and Leah Kateb also unfollowed Kenny, as did their boyfriends. Online speculation ignited. Was it a publicity stunt? Did someone cheat? But then came JaNa's statement. JaNa Craig Breaks Her Silence: 'Disgusting and Disappointing' On Sunday afternoon, JaNa Craig took to her Instagram story to address the breakup directly, and it was clear from her words that this was no mutual split. 'Hi my loves. Thank you for all your love & support. It means the world to me. As you know, Kenny and I are no longer together. Please know that I have seen all the breakup theories and none have matched up to how terrible, disgusting and disappointing it truly is. Discovering that someone you loved isn't who you thought they were and that the relationship you thought you were building hasn't been genuine since day one has been truly devastating.' While she maintained grace, the tone was unmistakably raw. JaNa, who is known for her poise on and off the show, emphasized that she was a 'child of God' and would be okay, but the damage was done. Kenny Rodriguez's Attempt at Damage Control Hours later, Kenny Rodriguez tried to get ahead of the growing firestorm by posting his own response on his Instagram story. 'The past few days have been incredibly difficult. I've been quietly sitting with a lot of emotions and doing my best to process everything privately. Breakups are never easy, especially in the public eye. Sometimes, despite how deeply you care for someone, you come to the hard truth that the relationship was not something that could last long-term. I'll always be grateful for the time we shared and the memories we created. I release this chapter with no ill will.' Kenny's statement, loaded with polished sincerity, struck a different chord, and to JaNa and her friends, it rang hollow. JaNa SNAPS: 'You Manipulative Liar' Shortly after Kenny's diplomatic Instagram statement, JaNa clapped back hard. '@kennyrodriguez stfu you manipulative liar. You not taking accountability and telling people the type of person you really are is insane to me!! My first statement was me being nice. Do not piss me off.' It was an unfiltered detonation. No more cryptic grace. No more polite heartbreak. JaNa made it crystal clear that Kenny's side of the story was, in her words, 'insane.' Leah Kateb Enters the Arena: 'Racist, Clout/Money Hungry, and a Scammer' Then, as if the flames weren't already high enough, Leah Kateb, JaNa's castmate and one-third of their iconic 'Powerpuff Girls' trio launched a nuclear-level attack on Kenny via her own Instagram story. '@kennyrodriguez Put a sock in it ChatGPT headass. Tell the truth for once! Racist, clout/money hungry and a scammer since DAY 1!!!! Tryna make it seem like it's something it's not. Dw, our Nay is blessed & highly favored.' This was not shade. It was a direct hit. Leah accused Kenny of being racist, financially exploitative, and fake since the day he walked into the villa. And for those wondering what 'ChatGPT headass' means, it's essentially a dig at being robotic and disingenuous aka, fake as hell. Powerpuff Protection Mode: Friends Rally Around JaNa JaNa hasn't just been supported by fans. Her entire Love Island inner circle is rallying around her. Serena Page and Leah Kateb, along with their respective partners, swiftly unfollowed Kenny Rodriguez, signaling that whatever happened behind the scenes, it was serious enough to fracture friendships too. Sources tell TMZ that JaNa's been leaning heavily on her girls since Sunday morning and has remained surrounded by friends throughout the fallout. The post Leah Kateb DRAGS Kenny Rodriguez to Hell After JaNa Craig Split: 'Racist, Clout-Hungry, ChatGPT Headass' appeared first on Where Is The Buzz | Breaking News, Entertainment, Exclusive Interviews & More. Solve the daily Crossword
