Why Did Cierra Ortega Leave 'Love Island USA'? Her Parents Break Silence
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Cierra Ortega's parents have broken their silence following their daughter's sudden exit from Love Island USA.
Newsweek reached out to Ortega's representative via email for comment on Monday.
The Context
Love Island USA is a reality television show based on the British series Love Island. The U.S. version first premiered in 2019 and is hosted by Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix.
Per Peacock, the series is "a real-time dating competition featuring a group of sexy singles living in a tropical villa who must try to win the $100K prize by coupling up and surviving to the end."
What To Know
On Sunday, narrator Iain Stirling revealed during Season 7, Episode 30 that Ortega was no longer on Love Island USA.
"Welcome back to Love Island USA, Cierra has left the villa due to a personal situation, leaving Nic [Vansteenberghe] officially single," Stirling said in a voice-over on July 6, Deadline reported.
Vansteenberghe was Ortega's love interest on the show, and they had been dating exclusively for several episodes.
In the scene following Stirling's announcement, Vansteenberghe said: "Right before Cierra had left, my mind was clear. I knew what the future would look like, and now I'm lost. I think now that my strongest connection is gone, there's like—just figure it out from here."
Cierra Ortega and Nicolas "Nic" Vansteenberghe pose for a photo together on "Love Island USA."
Cierra Ortega and Nicolas "Nic" Vansteenberghe pose for a photo together on "Love Island USA."
Ben Symons/Peacock
The news comes following backlash Ortega received over an alleged social media post that resurfaced online, in which she used a racial slur toward the Asian community. However, no official reason for her departure has been confirmed.
Prior to Ortega leaving Love Island USA, a Change.org petition calling for her removal garnered over 17,000 signatures. On Wednesday, she lost over 162,800 Instagram followers, and on Thursday, she lost an additional 47,800 followers, according to statistics from Social Blade.
Earlier in the season, contestant Yulissa Escobar was booted from the program for using the N-word on a podcast.
"Podcast clips from years ago have recently resurfaced, and I want to address it directly," Escobar wrote in an apology on Instagram after her exit. "In those clips, I used a word I never should've used, a racial slur. 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."
Cierra Ortega on "Love Island USA" Season 7. Iain Stirling announced her exit from the reality television show on July 6.
Cierra Ortega on "Love Island USA" Season 7. Iain Stirling announced her exit from the reality television show on July 6.
Ben Symons/Peacock
What People Are Saying
Cierra Ortega's parents spoke out about their daughter's Love Island USA departure via her Instagram Stories: "As Cierra's parents, this has been one of the most painful weeks of our lives. 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. 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. 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. – With love, Her family."
What Happens Next?
Love Island USA Season 7 airs new episodes daily, except on Wednesdays, at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock.
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