Latest news with #OrtegaFamily
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cierra Ortega Removed from Love Island USA Season 7 Amid Racism Controversy, Family Issues Statement
Love Island USA Season 7 drama got really personal this week when the family of Cierra Ortega issued an emotional statement following her departure from the hit reality series amid controversy surrounding the usage of anti-Asian slurs in her past social media posts. The 24-year-old contestant departed the Peacock show on the July 6 episode. Host Iain Stirling briefly said she had left 'due to a personal situation,' suddenly leaving Nic Vansteenberghe, her then-villa partner, single. But behind the scenes, Cierra's departure came after a viral outcry over old posts in which she used a racial slur to describe her eyes, language long criticized for its derogatory characterization of East Asian features. Now, her family is talking. 'As Cierra's parents, this has been one of the most painful weeks of our lives,' her family said in a statement released Sunday. '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.'. They do not dispute the validity of the outrage online. In fact, the Ortegas readily acknowledge the pain the posts caused and the need for accountability. 'We understand why people are upset, and we know accountability matters,' they said. 'But what's happening online right now has gone far beyond that.' Cierra remains unaware of the furor, still disconnected from the public domain since she departed the villa, her family says. Sympathy was sought by the Ortegas until their daughter felt prepared to talk on her behalf, regardless of the calls for public apologies and accountability that have been issued by many viewers. She hasn't had the chance to process any of this or speak for herself. But we know our daughter. We know her heart,' they continued. 'And when she returns, we believe she'll face this with honesty, growth, and grace.' However, Cierra's family went into detail about threats and hate she's been receiving, even though she doesn't have access to her phone: 'The threats. The nasty 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.' The old tweets were quickly circulated on TikTok and Reddit during the early weeks of the season, and viewers demanded accountability from the show and from Cierra. Peacock and producers were silent at the time, which fueled outrage among viewers, particularly in the AAPI community, who felt that the entire ordeal had been swept quietly under the rug. Cierra's subdued exit from the villa was instead greeted with disappointment by many and cyberbullying by others. It reflects a broader debate within the reality TV fan community about the distinction between holding contestants to account and engaging in targeted online abuse. Cierra's family ended their statement with a call for understanding, not just for their daughter, but for everyone involved in the affair. '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' They also thanked those who have 'continued to show love, even when it's not easy.' As for what's next, Cierra Ortega hasn't spoken publicly yet. The ex-contestant remains offline and out of the public eye. When she does resurface, the statement says she wants to speak for herself, on her own terms. In a summer that's already seen its share of drama, Cierra's exit could turn out to be one of the most sobering storylines of Love Island USA, a reminder that fame, even the fleeting kind, has real-world consequences. The post Cierra Ortega Removed from Love Island USA Season 7 Amid Racism Controversy, Family Issues Statement appeared first on Where Is The Buzz | Breaking News, Entertainment, Exclusive Interviews & More.
The Independent
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
How production told the Love Island USA contestants about Cierra Ortega's removal
Love Island USA contestant Cierra Ortega was removed from the show after social media posts resurfaced showing her using a derogatory term for Chinese people. The show's narrator stated Ortega left due to a 'personal situation', while producers informed contestants she had 'broken some of the policies of our guidelines'. Fellow contestant Zak Srakaew explained that islanders were given limited information regarding Ortega's sudden departure. Ortega's exit left her partner, Nic Vansteenberghe, single, though he has since recoupled with another contestant. Ortega's parents have issued a statement on her behalf, acknowledging the upset caused by the posts and asking for 'compassion' amid the backlash.
CNN
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
‘Love Island USA' contestant Cierra Ortega exits the show after resurfaced social media posts cause stir
'Love Island USA' contestant Cierra Ortega is no longer looking for love on the reality program. 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.
CNN
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
‘Love Island USA' contestant Cierra Ortega exits the show after resurfaced social media posts cause stir
'Love Island USA' contestant Cierra Ortega is no longer looking for love on the reality program. 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.
CNN
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
‘Love Island USA' contestant Cierra Ortega exits the show after resurfaced social media posts cause stir
'Love Island USA' contestant Cierra Ortega is no longer looking for love on the reality program. 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.
