
Cierra Ortega's family speaks out after Love Island USA Season 7 exit over racist posts, urges 'basic human decency' amid threats
Why was Cierra Ortega removed from Love Island USA Season 7?
Cierra Ortega's sudden exit from Love Island USA wasn't just a production twist. It followed a storm of backlash after her old social media posts came to light. Viewers uncovered a 2023 Instagram Story in which Cierra described her face looking 'a little chi*ky' when she laughed, saying it was the reason she got Botox. It didn't end there. A second post from 2015 resurfaced where she used the same slur again. Not only that, but when someone pointed out that it was a derogatory term, she even tried to justify it by saying it was a real word in the dictionary.
For the unversed, the term 'chi*ky' is a well-known racial slur against East Asian communities, and many fans were shocked to see it used so casually, not just once, but repeatedly.
Ayo! Have yall seen this 👀 Cierra is caught using a racial slur! pic.twitter.com/FvVVQgvtKo
Not cierra being called out that she used a slur way back when she posted it and she said 'well that's just your opinion!' pic.twitter.com/tXlKr7sc1a
As these posts began circulating on Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok, outrage quickly grew, and many demanded her exit from the show. After a weeklong backlash, she was finally asked to leave the villa on Sunday's (July 6) episode.
Cierra's family issues emotional statement
Shortly after her removal from Love Island USA Season 7, Cierra's family took to her Instagram Stories to share what they described as 'one of the most painful weeks' of their lives. They acknowledged they've seen the posts, the headlines, and the hurt, even though Cierra hasn't.
They didn't try to deny the situation or make excuses, stating clearly that they 'understand why people are upset' and that they 'know accountability matters.' But they also made it clear that what's happening online has gone far beyond that.
They condemned the level of hate directed at Cierra and those around her. 'The threats. The cruel messages. The attacks on her family, her friends, even her supporters—it's heartbreaking,' they wrote, adding that it was 'uncalled for' and that no one deserves that kind of hate, 'no matter what mistake they've made.'
At the time of the post, Cierra was still away and had not yet had the chance to process the situation or speak for herself. Her family said they know her heart, and when she does return, they believe she'll face it all 'with honesty, growth, and grace.'
They described the balance between seeing her as their 'little girl' and recognising that she is also a grown woman, one who will eventually take responsibility 'in her own time and in her own voice.'
Until then, they asked for compassion and patience. 'For basic human decency. Not just for her, but for everyone caught in the middle of this.' The statement ended with a thank you to those who have continued to show love and support, 'even when it's not easy.'
Not the first contestant to exit over racism
Cierra's removal marks the second time this season a contestant has been taken off due to racist behaviour. Earlier in the season, Yulissa—another islander—faced similar scrutiny and was also removed after fans discovered racially insensitive content linked to her social media.
Cierra has lost over 250,000 followers since the controversy.
Since the racism allegations came to light, Cierra Ortega has lost over 250,000 followers on Instagram. Many brands she was previously associated with have either paused their promotions or scrubbed collaborations from their pages. Her account handler also stepped down following the backlash.
For fans who had initially rooted for Cierra, her exit was a disappointing turn. But for others, it felt like long-overdue accountability finally catching up.
Meanwhile, Love Island USA Season 7 is now in its finale week. Alongside Cierra, Zak Srakaew, who joined as a Casa Amor bombshell, was also dumped from the villa after receiving the fewest public votes.
The remaining islanders vying for a spot in the final include Ace, Chelley, Amaya, Nic, Chris, Huda, Clarke, and Taylor.
To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Elon Musk's net worth is $393 billion: These games allow you to spend it
Elon Musk's reported net worth of $393 billion (according to Forbes) is now the basis for multiple online games that allows users to simulate spending the fortune of the world's richest man. These "Spend Elon Musk 's Money" games have appeared on various websites, leading to numerous reactions on social media as well. These online games allow individuals to allocate the estimated wealth of the Tesla and SpaceX CEO to different items and services, ranging from cans of Coca-Cola to buildings and skyscrapers, aeroplanes as well as the social media platform X (earlier Twitter) and other things, providing a virtual experience of what could be purchased with such a substantial sum. Here's what players said about these games on social media: What players said about games that allow spending Elon Musk's wealth A Reddit thread (now deleted) received several comments from players who tried spending Musk's net worth, featuring a range of interesting reactions from users about how they chose to spend unexpected windfalls of money. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "I picked everything I realistically wanted and barely cracked $2 billion. Insane,' one user noted. Commenting in a reply to the previous remark, another user noted: "I barely cracked 300 million and I bought the entire Senate." "Not enough money. I need 10 Elons to buy Microsoft. I want to buy Microsoft because they own Activision Blizzard. I need to control them so I can get a new patch for Diablo 2 Resurrected and fix a bunch of items that need buffing,' a third user added. A fourth user highlighted: 'Just tried to buy a trip in an ambulance and it said I didn't have enough funds.' "Bought every NBA team. I'm making three pointers worth one point and letting players play more physical defence,' a fifth user mentioned. Meanwhile, a sixth user added: "I guess I'll have two Mona Lisas.' OPPO Find X8 Ultra Review: Camera Powerhouse with Next-Gen Imaging!


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Love Island USA Season 7 episode 31: Release date, where to watch, and what fans are buzzing about after Cierra's exit
Love Island USA Season 7: The end is officially in sight, and Episode 31 arrives during one of the most unpredictable weeks of Love Island USA Season 7. With Cierra leaving the show after backlash over resurfaced comments and Zak being dumped, the remaining islanders are Ace, Chelley, Amaya, Bryan, Nic, Olandria, Huda, Chris, Clarke, and Taylor, and newcomers Iris & Pepe are navigating a mix of tension, vulnerability, and pressure from the outside world. And with public voting now open, their every move will have real consequences. When does Love Island USA Season 7 episode 31 premiere? Love Island USA Season 7 episode 31 premieres on Monday, July 7, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT exclusively on Peacock in the U.S. Canadian viewers can watch at the same time via CTV and Crave. For international audiences, including India, the episode will stream early Tuesday morning, July 8, around 6:30 a.m. IST. Fans can watch the show on Peacock with a VPN. The episode continues the standard six-night release format, coming right after Sunday's emotionally charged Episode 30. What to expect from Love Island Season 7 Episode 31 Sunday night's episode didn't hold back. First, Cierra made an abrupt exit following the controversy surrounding her resurfaced racist remarks. Though Peacock didn't explicitly mention the reason, fans quickly connected the dots, and the show has since moved forward without her. Her departure left Nic in a tough spot, but the villa didn't slow down. Just hours later, Amaya reconnected with Bryan, leaving Zak and Elan without partners. Both were immediately dumped from the island, sending shockwaves through the group. Now, episode 31 picks up with only 12 islanders remaining. The emotional fallout from these exits is likely to dominate the early part of the episode. Meanwhile, new and old couples alike are starting to feel the weight of viewer expectations. With voting now in play, the vibe has shifted as islanders are choosing their words more carefully, connections are being tested, and the finish line is finally visible. Fans are particularly watching how Nic rebounds now that he's paired with Olandria. Some are also curious whether Amaya and Bryan can maintain their momentum after their dramatic start. What to expect from Love Island USA Season 7 episode 31? We've officially entered the final week of Love Island USA Season 7, and episode 31 is the first full episode where fan votes could tip the balance. Every interaction has the potential to shift how couples are perceived. For the islanders, it's less about making an impression inside the villa and more about how they're coming across to the public. This episode will also offer a clearer view of where relationships are heading. Some couples may start coasting, hoping to slide into the finale without rocking the boat. Others could use this time to have big conversations and define where they stand. Either way, fans will be judging even harder.


News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Rashmika Mandanna Cheers For Vijay Deverakonda's Kingdom, Calls Teaser ‘Fire'
Last Updated: The release date announcement came with a brand-new promo that has left fans buzzing with excitement. Vijay Deverakonda's much-awaited action thriller Kingdom has finally locked its release date, July 31. Directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri, the Telugu-language spy action thriller showcases the Arjun Reddy star in a brand-new, rugged avatar. The release date announcement came with a brand-new promo that has left fans buzzing with excitement. One of the first to react to the teaser was Rashmika Mandanna, who is rumoured to be dating Vijay. She took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, 'This is fire 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 All the bestest to the whole team! Have a greaaaaaatttt feeling about this one. July 31st is going to be a big celebration!" Fans couldn't help but gush over Rashmika's gesture. One user wrote, 'His constant supporter," while another said, 'Rash, please do a promotional video with Vijay. I want to see you both together." This is 🔥🔥🔥💥All the bestest to the whole team! ❤️Have a greaaaaaatttt feeling about this one 💃🏻💃🏻💥July 31st is going to be a big celebration!❤️💃🏻 @TheDeverakonda @gowtam19 @anirudhofficial @vamsi84 — Rashmika Mandanna (@iamRashmika) July 7, 2025 The film stars Vijay Deverakonda alongside Bhagyashri Borse and Satyadev, and is backed by S. Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya under the banners of Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas. Touted to be a high-octane commercial entertainer, Kingdom was originally set to release on March 30 but was delayed due to production-related hurdles. With its new release date locked, the teaser highlights action-packed sequences, suspenseful moments, and Gowtam Tinnanuri's distinctive storytelling style—ensuring this spy thriller will be a big-ticket spectacle. Meanwhile, Rashmika is also in the spotlight for another reason. The Pushpa star recently faced backlash after she claimed in an interview that she was the first actress from Coorg to enter the film industry. 'In the Coorg community, nobody has ever entered the film industry. I think I am the first one… People were extremely judgy," she said in the now-viral Mojo Story interview. Netizens were quick to correct her. Several users highlighted the legacy of actresses from Coorg, including Kannada star Prema. One post read, '@iamRashmika Have you ever heard the name of actress #Prema?… Get it fixed." First Published: