LOVE Island USA star Cierra Ortega was “very upset” and “tried to apologize” when producers removed her from the villa over a racist post that resurfaced on social media.
Cierra, 25, exited the villa during the Sunday, July 6 episode of Love Island USA.
Cierra Oretga was ‘very upset’ when she was removed from Love Island USA, according to a source[/caption]
Cierra ‘tried to apologize’ to save her spot on the show[/caption]
This came after fans called for her to be kicked off the show when an Instagram Story from her account resurfaced on social media.
A source exclusively claimed to The U.S. Sun that Cierra attempted to apologize to avoid going home.
The production insider told The U.S. Sun, “We had to tell her to exit the show, as what happened would have created a lot of prejudice and it’s the kind of behavior that is simply unacceptable.
“She didn’t want to leave the show and tried to apologize for what she did. We decided that apologies aren’t enough for topics like this. She got upset when we told her that she had to leave the show as soon as possible.”
At first, Cierra “thought she could save her spot on the show.”
“It was never an option and we had to decide quickly and inform her so she could start getting ready to get out,” the source claimed. “Cierra was against leaving the show at first, and thought an apology would be enough, but it doesn’t work like this.
“She felt bad, she was very upset but we had to let her go, as we can’t have a bad image and allow people use such unacceptable words and racial slurs.”
As for Cierra’s Love Island USA co-stars, they “wanted answers fast.”
The insider continued to claim, “Other participants got really upset at her, and the atmosphere in the show got unbearable and very tense.
“Some other candidates wanted answers fast, to have her out of the show as she made people feel bad and that created a very tense atmosphere.”
But other contestants “tried to talk to producers to try to find an alternative.”
Production stood by their decision, as there was “no other option on the table.”
Original cast member Yulissa Escobar was also sent home after the first episode aired when a racial slur resurfaced on social media.
“It’s the second time this season that we have to deal with issues linked with racists slurs or posts, that is terrible to deal with that as we want our show to be respectful of everyone, and to condemn racism and discrimination in every single way,” the insider said.
“It was a very, very tough moment to deal with, as we never want to deal with things like this.”
A second source said of Cierra’s exit, “She didn’t want to leave at first, but we gave her no choice as we decided that we had no other options but let her go, as we can’t accept this kind of behavior and word used.
“I don’t know if Cierra realized at first how bad the situation was, but we told her that she had to go, and tried to apologize and just thought it would be cool… but no.”
The source said Cierra was not only “very sad,” but also “scared of the aftermath.”
The insider continued, “We had so many messages from fans, tons of pressure from the different people involved in the show, and we had to act fast and do the thing that aligns with our values and logic.”
The U.S. Sun previously reported producers held crisis meetings to decide whether or not to fire Cierra last week.
“We will hold a meeting to decide what we should do… but it doesn’t look great at all for Cierra as a lot of us want to take her out of the show as soon as possible,” the insider said.
“We kicked Yulissa out of the show at the beginning of the season because of racial slurs too. This kind of behavior and use of this kind of word is unacceptable, and we condemn all kinds of racism, discrimination and insults towards anyone.”
CIERRA KICKED OFF
On Sunday night’s episode, narrator Iain Stirling said, “Cierra has left the villa due to a personal situation, leaving Nic officially single.”
The camera then cut to a solemn Nic, who said, “Right before Cierra had left, my mind was clear. I knew what the future would look like and now I’m lost.”
Cierra was seen sleeping with Nic in bed and getting ready for the day on the episode, as fans speculated she was asked to leave after breakfast.
Fans even believe they heard the exact moment Cierra was informed she would have to exit the villa.
During Olandria Carthen’s confessional in the morning, yelling could be heard in the background.
Fans believe it sounded like Cierra screaming, “You can’t do this!”
An racial slur was used in an Instagram Story on Cierra’s account and screenshots resurfaced last week[/caption]
RACISM SCANDAL
An Instagram Story allegedly from Cierra’s account resurfaced last week.
The post read, “Botox isn’t for everyone but I love it for me!!!
“I am incredibly expressive with my face and I catch myself frowning for no reason throughout the day when I’m focusing on something or thinking too hard lol.
“I can also be a little ch**ky when I laugh/smile so I love getting a mini brow lift to open up my eyes and get that snatched look.
“This is not me encouraging but more so sharing.”
While Cierra has yet to personally address the scandal, her parents broke their silence in a post to their daughter’s Instagram page on Sunday.
“As Cierra’s parents, this has been one of the most painful weeks of our lives,” they said, before going on to slam the messages they were receiving from Love Island USA fans.
“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.”
They continued to ask fans for “compassion” and “patience” as they navigate the scandal’s aftermath.
VIEWER REACTION
Cierra’s co-star Belle-A Walker said she supported the Love Island USA producers for “taking a stand” and “making it clear that racism of any kind is not tolerated” after Cierra exited the villa.
Fans also rejoiced over Cierra exiting the villa, as they have been calling for her to leave the show when the screenshot resurfaced.
One fan wrote on X, “Cierra left the villa due to a personal situation. I AM SCREAMING!”
A second said, “I can’t believe y’all actually kicked out Cierra.”
A third wrote, “Omg they removed Cierra… shoutout to Love Island for standing on business fr!!!”
A fourth said, “No way did they really kick Cierra off like that.”
LOVE ISLAND USA SEASON 7 CAST
Love Island USA has returned to Peacock for Season 7 with a new cast – and new drama! Check out the cast of Love Island USA below.
Original cast members:
-Chelley Bissainthe, 27, Orlando, Florida
-Huda Mustafa, 24, Raleigh, North Carolina
-Olandria Carthen, 27, Decatur, Alabama
-Belle-A Walker, 22, Honolulu, Hawaii (Eliminated)
–Yulissa Escobar, 27, Miami, Florida (Removed from house)
-Ace Greene, 22, Los Angeles, California
-Taylor Williams, 24, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
-Nicolas Vansteenberghe, 24, Jacksonville, Florida
-Austin Shepard, 26, Northville, Michigan (Eliminated)
-Jeremiah Brown, 25, Los Angeles, California (Eliminated)
Bombshells:
-Cierra Ortega, 25, Los Angeles, California (Removed from house)
-Charlie Georgiou, 27, United Kingdom (Eliminated)
-Hannah Fields. 23, Tucson, Arizona (Eliminated)
-Amaya Espinal, 25, New York, New York
-Iris Kendall, 25, Los Angeles, California
-Pepe Garcia, 27, Los Angeles California
-Jalen Brown, 27, Sparta, Georgia (Eliminated)
-Andreina Santos, 24, Jersey City (Eliminated)
-Bryan Arenales, 28, Boston, Massachusetts
-Gracyn Blackmore, 25, West Palm Beach, Florida (Eliminated)
-Clarke Carraway, 24, Columbia, South Carolina
-Zak Srakaew, 29, Roi Et, Thailand (Eliminated)
-TJ Palma, 23, Pleasantville, New York (Eliminated)
-Jaden Duggar, 25, Seattle, Washington/Los Angeles, California (Eliminated)
-Elan Bibas, 24, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada (Eliminated)
-Chris Seeley, 27, Fresno, California
MOVING ON
Nic wasted no time finding a new connection after Cierra left the villa.
Last week, the two decided to be “closed off” while on a date and were the strongest couple in the villa.
Later on in the episode, Nic and Olandria, who he explored a connection with during Casa Amor, sit down and chat about the situation.
“Ever since Cierra has been here, it has been y’alls journey, it’s never really just been about Nic’s journey,” Olandria said.
Nic responded, “I just really feel like you have my back. And when I think about, like, a girl in here who I have been enjoying my time with and who I’m comfortable with and, like, who I’m attracted to… that person would be you.”
He then said of Olandria in his confessional, “I think she’s someone I enjoy spending my time with. That’s what I’m looking for.”
When Nic asked if Olandria is open to exploring a connection after Taylor Williams left her for Clark Carraway, she responded, “yes.”
Ahead of the recoupling, Nic pulled Olandria to the dock for another chat.
Nic said, “I would like to keep, you know, continuing having each other’s back. You bring out a lot of good things in me that I don’t see too much of myself. I just appreciate you a lot.”
He said in his confessional, “I just lost a pretty serious connection with someone. Now it’s taking the time as if it were, day one I guess.”
Olandria said, “We keep finding ourselves back in these moments… I truly feel like I wouldn’t mind exploring that still.”
During the recoupling, Olandria picked Nic, as she said in her recoupling speech, “He’s always expressed how much he’s valued me, valued our bond. He has a crazy, quirky personality.
“I’ve loved him from the moment I’ve met him. I’m super excited to spend the rest of my days with this person. The boy I would like to couple up with is Nic.”
On last night’s episode, the two continued to explore their connection.
Nic and Cierra were coupled up for most of the season[/caption]
Nic is now exploring a connection with Olandria Carthen[/caption]
