Love Island USA's Cierra Ortega in talks for reunion appearance after controversial exit

Time of India

8 hours ago

Cierra Ortega
, the former
Love Island USA
contestant removed from Season 7 following the resurfacing of a racial slur in her
social media
history, is now reportedly in discussions to make a dramatic return for the upcoming
reunion special
scheduled for August 25 on
Peacock
. This development comes after weeks of speculation about whether the reality star, whose abrupt exit drew national debate and intense criticism, would have any further involvement with the franchise.
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According to sources cited by The U.S. Sun,
Love Island USA
production is actively debating whether to invite Ortega back for the reunion taping. 'Cierra is pushing to be invited, but we haven't decided yet if she will be attending,' a production insider told the outlet. The source continued, 'She created controversy and some of us don't want to have her linked with the show ever again, but we still are discussing if she should come or not.'
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A second insider reinforced that, while Ortega's attendance is under consideration, no final decision has been made. Some participants have allegedly expressed discomfort about her possible return, while others are open to her attending, making it a deeply divided issue within production circles.
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Ortega, 25, was forced to leave the villa during the July 6 episode after an old Instagram story using a slur against the Asian community was widely circulated. The backlash included a petition with over 16,000 signatures demanding her removal. Upon her exit, Ortega posted a widely viewed apology video, stating, 'I am deeply, truly, honestly, so sorry. I had no idea that the word held as much pain, as much harm, and came with the history that it did, or I never would have used it. I had no ill intention … but that's absolutely no excuse, because intent doesn't excuse ignorance.'
Multiple sources confirm that Ortega unsuccessfully tried to apologize to producers and the cast to keep her place in the villa. Production ultimately determined that an apology was insufficient given the seriousness of the issue.
To date, no official reunion cast details have been released by Peacock or the network, and Cierra's possible inclusion remains undecided. Official sources and prior reports have suggested that
Islanders involved in controversy were unlikely to be included
in the reunion. However, the ongoing internal debate fueled by Ortega's own request to attend leaves the door open for a headline-making appearance.
The Season 7 reunion, co-hosted by
Andy Cohen
and
Ariana Madix
, promises to bring back the show's finalists alongside 'fan-favorite' faces for first-hand updates and unresolved drama. Ortega, whose relationship with fellow contestant Nic Vansteenberghe dissolved amidst her exit, spoke candidly about the fallout on social media over the weekend, indicating that her
Love Island
journey—and its impact on her friendships—are far from resolved.
The Season 7 reunion airs August 25 on Peacock.