Love Island USA Star Cierra Ortega Apologizes After Removal Over Derogatory Post
A wave of controversy has engulfed the popular reality show Love Island USA as contestant Cierra Ortega issued an apology following her removal from the program. The 25-year-old content creator from Los Angeles was ousted after a social media post containing a derogatory term for Asian people resurfaced online.
The incident underscores a growing concern regarding the intense scrutiny faced by reality television participants and the escalating issue of cyberbullying. Peacock, NBC’s streaming app and the home of Love Island USA, recently aired a plea during an episode urging viewers to cease the harassment of contestants.
Fallout from the Post
In a video message, Ortega explained that the post in question was made in 2024. She stated that a follower alerted her to the offensive nature of the term, leading to immediate remorse and deletion of the content. “In that moment, I was embarrassed,” Ortega said, adding that she “immediately deleted the post.”
However, the damage was already done. Ortega, who identifies as being of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, revealed that she and her family have been subjected to severe online harassment. This included threats and disturbing attempts to involve immigration authorities. “What’s been extremely, extremely difficult is the way people are approaching my family and my loved ones,” she explained. “They have had ICE [US Immigration and Customs Enforcement] called on them. My family doesn’t feel safe in their own home. I’m receiving death threats.”
Ortega firmly rejected the idea of responding to hate with more hate, stating, “There’s no need to fight hate with hate. I don’t think that that’s justice.” She expressed agreement with the network’s decision to remove her from the show, acknowledging the justified upset among viewers. She did, however, dispute claims circulating on social media that she failed to delete the post or doubled down on its use. “I was apologetic and I educated, not only myself on the true meaning and history of the word, but also anyone around me,” she asserted. “I think the backlash has obviously been very hard to deal with.”
A Pattern of Controversy
Ortega’s departure follows a similar situation involving fellow Love Island USA contestant Yulissa Escobar. Escobar left the show after videos resurfaced showing her using a racial slur on a podcast in 2021. Escobar subsequently apologized on Instagram, stating she used the offensive term “ignorantly, not fully understanding the weight, history, or pain behind it.” She also reported receiving death threats after leaving the villa, describing the situation as “coming back to a warzone.”
The success of Love Island USA this season has been remarkable, with Peacock reporting it as the most streamed reality series on the platform. However, this heightened visibility has come at a cost, exposing contestants to relentless online abuse.
The incidents involving Ortega and Escobar highlight the complex challenges facing reality television in the age of social media, raising questions about the responsibility of networks, the impact of online scrutiny, and the need for greater awareness and education regarding harmful language.
