
Cierra Ortega exits 'Love Island USA' Season 7 amid backlash over racial slur controversy, fans react
Narrator Iain Stirling stated her exit was due to a "personal situation," but fans pointed to a resurfaced social media post where Ortega used a racial slur targeting Chinese people.
The online response was mixed. While many supported the network's swift decision to remove her, others argued that intent matters and called her actions ignorant rather than malicious.
Some defended Ortega, saying her actions were from 2015 and lacked harmful intention. Others disagreed, stating that repeated use of the slur warranted her removal.
Ortega's partner, Nic, was left uncertain in the villa, noting they were "closed off" and officially together at the time of her exit. The show did not confirm the exact cause of her removal, but fans widely linked it to the backlash following the resurfaced Instagram post.
This marks the second removal from Love Island USA Season 7 over racial issues, with Yulissa Escobar being ejected earlier for using the N-word in a podcast clip.
Ortega's exit is another reminder that public opinion now plays a major role in shaping a contestant's fate.
Love Island USA Season 7 episodes air daily, except Wednesdays, at 9 pm PT on Peacock.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
1723623708-0%2Fkylie-(2)1723623708-0-640x480.webp&w=3840&q=100)

Express Tribune
37 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet enjoy beach vacation together in Southern France
Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet were seen enjoying a beach getaway together in Saint-Tropez, Southern France, offering fans a glimpse into their low-key time away from the public eye. The two were photographed walking hand-in-hand on Shellona Beach, looking relaxed and at ease. This recent outing has caught attention not just because of their growing popularity as a couple, but also because it marks a rare casual appearance. With no red carpet or high-profile event in sight, Kylie and Timothée opted for a quiet vacation, soaking in the summer sun and the calm of the Mediterranean. The photos from the trip show the pair smiling, chatting, and spending quality time by the sea. Kylie's decision to follow Timothée on Instagram just days before the trip added to fan excitement, with many viewing it as a subtle sign of closeness. Their trip to France comes after a series of public sightings over the past year, including their appearances at the US Open and international award shows. But this Saint-Tropez vacation has a different tone—more personal, less formal. While neither has publicly addressed their relationship status, this holiday speaks for itself—a quiet, shared moment away from the cameras.


Express Tribune
37 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
‘Nayab' and ‘Deemak' bag major awards at SCO Film Festival
On the international front, Pakistani cinema is making an undeniably strong impact. The slow yet steady resurgence of the industry is finally being recognized on the global stage. After years of struggle, Pakistani films are gaining the commercial and critical recognition they deserve. Deemak and Nayab have won top honors at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Film Festival 2025. The five-day festival in Yangzhou, China, became a landmark moment for Pakistani films. Deemak, a psychological horror film directed by Rafay Rashdi, took home the Best Editing Award. The film has already made historic business at the box office cementing itself as the most commercially and critically acclaimed horror movie to emerge from Pakistan. Deemak director Rafay Rashdi took to Instagram to announce the film's prestigious win at the SCO Film Festival. In his post he added, 'Grateful to the @scosectsco_org, the Government of Pakistan, and the Ministry of Information for their support and recognition. Pakistani cinema continues to rise! 🎬✨' Actor Sonya Hussyn who played the role of 'Hiba' in the film was also in attendance along with Rashdi. After the historic win, she posted a selfie with the award deeming their win 'a proud moment for Pakistan.' And it absolutely is! Written by Ayesha Muzzafar, starring Sonya Hussyn, Samina Peerzada, and Faysal Quraishi, Deemak is proof that Pakistani cinema can deliver on both entertainment and quality. Meanwhile, Nayab, directed by Umair Nasir Ali and written by Ali Abbasi Naqvi and Basit Naqvi, captivated audiences at the festival with its heartwarming and inspiring story of a middle-class girl's dreams of succeeding in the competitive, male-dominated world of cricket. The film stars Yumna Zaidi. Photo: File Starring Yumna Zaidi and Usama Khan, Nayab won the Special Jury Award and was selected as the winner out of 19 other films. Director Umair Nasir Ali shared his joy on Instagram, saying, "This is a proud and emotional moment for Pakistani cinema. Thank you to every single person who has been part of Nayab's journey. This belongs to all of you." He also expressed hope for increased collaboration, adding, "I hope this win and our participation help open more doors for collaboration between filmmakers from Pakistan, China, and other SCO countries, so that our stories continue to travel, connect, and inspire across borders." Here's to a brighter future for the Pakistani film industry!


Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Cierra Ortega parents issue statement after Love Island USA exit over racial slur controversy
Cierra Ortega's parents have issued a public statement calling for compassion after her sudden departure from Love Island USA amid backlash over a resurfaced social media post accused of containing a racial slur. The statement was shared via Ortega's Instagram Story on Sunday evening, shortly after the show aired her exit, citing a 'personal reason.' During the July 6 episode, it was revealed that Cierra had left the villa, leaving her on-screen partner, Nic, visibly emotional and 'lost.' Her exit followed intense online criticism after an old Instagram Story resurfaced, in which she used a derogatory term while describing the effects of Botox on her facial expression. The incident sparked backlash online, prompting her family to respond. In their statement, Ortega's parents said the past week had been "one of the most painful" of their lives, acknowledging the anger surrounding the post while condemning the level of hate and threats directed at their daughter and her supporters. "No one deserves that kind of hate, no matter what mistake they've made," the post read. The family clarified that Cierra has not seen the backlash herself and has yet to respond publicly, but they believe she will address the matter 'with honesty, growth, and grace' upon her return. They asked fans and viewers for 'compassion, patience, and basic human decency,' adding that their daughter would take responsibility in her own time. Producers described her departure as due to personal reasons. As reactions continued to flood social media, Ortega's parents closed their statement by thanking those who had shown support during a difficult time.