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Cierra Ortega Abruptly Exits Love Island USA Season 7 Amid Racism Scandal

Cierra Ortega Abruptly Exits Love Island USA Season 7 Amid Racism Scandal

Yahoo10 hours ago
Another day, another bombshell, and no, not the sexy kind. Love Island USA season 7 has officially become one of the messiest, most scandal-ridden seasons in franchise history, and Sunday night's episode (July 6) added yet another dramatic twist when Cierra Ortega abruptly exited the villa amid an offscreen racism scandal.
Narrator Iain Stirling broke the news to viewers during the latest episode, confirming that Cierra had 'left the villa due to a personal situation,' leaving her partner Nic Vansteenberghe suddenly single just days before the final. The exit wasn't explained further on air, but outside the confines of the Fiji-based villa, the truth had already surfaced.
As any loyal Love Island stan knows, Islanders are cut off from the outside world with no access to phones or news to keep the focus on their budding romances. But what happens outside the villa doesn't stay outside, and in Cierra's case, a resurfaced racist post on her social media came back to haunt her while she was still mid-slow-mo walk in a bikini.
Nic, visibly blindsided, confided in fellow Islander Ace Greene after Cierra's exit, admitting he was unsure of what to do next. 'This late in the game?' he said. 'I don't know where to go from here.'
Cierra's departure marks the second shocking removal tied to racially insensitive content this season. OG Islander Yulissa Escobar also disappeared early on, gone by episode two. At the time, producers stayed quiet, but Stirling later casually confirmed she had exited, saying Ace was now single because Yulissa 'has left the villa.'
The real reason? A resurfaced podcast clip in which Yulissa used racial slurs. Earlier this month, she opened up in a TikTok, detailing her behind-the-scenes removal.
'I had gotten called to the front and then I met one of the producers and they asked me to take my mic off,' Yulissa explained. 'They said a video resurfaced and it's not looking too good.'
According to Yulissa, she spent two days in a hotel room without her phone, anxiously awaiting details. When the clip finally aired, she owned up to the mistake. 'I said a word that I should have not said. But I wish I would have never said that. It is what it is. I can't go back in time. I am sorry.'
And if you thought the drama stopped there? Think again.
Austin Shepard, another Islander in the cast this season, also came under fire, this time for a controversial repost on his social media. The content (which fans flagged after his casting was announced) sparked backlash. Austin responded via Instagram Stories on Saturday, July 5:
'I want to take a moment to address my recent repost that has caused offense to some of you,' he wrote. 'As you all know, I have a very dry sense of humor, and I genuinely didn't think before sharing that content. It was never my intention to hurt or upset anyone.'
Yikes.
While the villa continues serving steamy love triangles, slow-burn flirtations, and the occasional 'I've got a text!', it's the offscreen drama that's truly overshadowing the season. From resurfaced slurs to problematic posts, this season of Love Island USA is showing that what you do online will come back to bite, especially under the bright lights of reality TV.
With just a week left until the finale, viewers are wondering: Will the drama cool down or only get hotter?
New episodes of Love Island USA drop six days a week (no Wednesdays) on Peacock. Bring your popcorn, this season isn't done shaking up just yet.
The post Cierra Ortega Abruptly Exits Love Island USA Season 7 Amid Racism Scandal appeared first on Where Is The Buzz | Breaking News, Entertainment, Exclusive Interviews & More.
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Stars React to Texas Floods: Matthew McMonaughey, Khloe Kardashian, Shakira & More Speak Out
Stars React to Texas Floods: Matthew McMonaughey, Khloe Kardashian, Shakira & More Speak Out

Yahoo

time16 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Stars React to Texas Floods: Matthew McMonaughey, Khloe Kardashian, Shakira & More Speak Out

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Singer Shakira announced that she was donating a portion of the proceeds from her San Antonio concert on Saturday night to those impacted. "Dear San Antonio, Our hearts and prayers are with those affected by the flood in Central Texas. We are donating a portion of tonight's show proceeds to Catholic Charities of San Antonio, who are providing disaster relief to the families impacted," she wrote on X. "If you would like to join me in donating, please click on the link below. Your help is important and appreciated," she continued, sharing a link to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of San Antonio. Khloé Kardashian shared a touching post on her Instagram Stories, writing, "I can't stop thinking about the families in Texas and the overwhelming pain they're going through right now." "As a mother, this kind of tragedy hits in a place words can't reach," the mom of two added. "The loss of those sweet, innocent children is something I can't fully process, there are just no words for this." 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New Release Radar: New Books Coming Out on July 8
New Release Radar: New Books Coming Out on July 8

Geek Girl Authority

time16 minutes ago

  • Geek Girl Authority

New Release Radar: New Books Coming Out on July 8

There are a lot of new books coming out every week. With New Release Radar, I'll help you narrow down the week's new book releases into the titles you should get excited about. This week, I have eight great new books to share with you, including tons of great debuts and a sequel 10 years in the making. Read on! How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold When legendary horror author Mortimer Queen dies, a group of writers gather at his eerie manor, expecting to inherit part of his vast fortune. Each guest has a personal connection to the literary icon, and most have long dreamed of filling his shoes. But instead of a will, they're offered a game. Solve the riddle and move forward, or the house will claim one of them. Built on generations of secrets and sacrifice, the Queen's estate isn't just haunted: it's hungry. Saw meets Agatha Christie in Mallory Arnold's nail-biting debut. How to Survive a Horror Story is a campy, thrilling locked room mystery. 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When an aristocrat unexpectedly leaves her a grand estate, Stella is thrust into London society, and a legal battle that would be easier to win with a husband. Reconnecting with her childhood friend Nathaniel Fitzroy and secretly reviving her mother's scandalous advice column, Stella navigates suitors, secrets and social prejudice. As the pressure mounts, she must choose between following society's rules or forging her own path to love and freedom. The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick is Bridgerton for young adult readers. S. Isabelle doesn't shy away from the darker reality of 1800s England, but still created a fun, romantic and enthralling novel. The Gryphon King by Sara Omer As a child, Bataar became a legend for slaying a gryphon. Now a warlord chosen by god, he sets his sights on conquering Dumakra, a kingdom ruled by warrior princesses who ride winged, man-eating horses. 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Just as twisty and dramatic as its predecessor, The Woman in Suite 11 will keep you guessing until the end. ​You can check out these new book releases at or your local bookstore. What July 8 new release are you most excited to read? Let us know below, and tune in next week to grow your TBR. Book Review: THE ROM-COM COOKBOOK

Mahershala Ali Dodges BLADE Question With a Laugh: 'Leave Me Out of It!' — GeekTyrant
Mahershala Ali Dodges BLADE Question With a Laugh: 'Leave Me Out of It!' — GeekTyrant

Geek Tyrant

time16 minutes ago

  • Geek Tyrant

Mahershala Ali Dodges BLADE Question With a Laugh: 'Leave Me Out of It!' — GeekTyrant

It's been nearly six years since Marvel first announced Blade with two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali set to star, but the project still feels like a shadow in the MCU lineup. And now, even Ali seems to be tiptoeing around the subject. During a lighthearted Vogue interview promoting Jurassic World Rebirth , Ali appeared alongside Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey for a round of quick-fire questions. But when Bailey was asked, 'Can you name every Marvel Cinematic Universe film Scarlett and Mahershala have been in?' Ali wasn't about to take the bait. "Leave me out of it," he replied with a laugh. "It's a Scarlett question." Bailey tried to nudge the topic forward, saying, "There's one that we're very excited about," referring to Blade . Johansson joined in and pressed him for more. But Ali? He wasn't biting. He just smiled and changed the subject. It's a moment that probably mirrors what many MCU fans are feeling, confused amusement at Blade 's stalled journey. The vampire-hunting reboot has been through multiple creative shifts, script rewrites, and lost directors. In October 2024, Marvel even pulled it from its release calendar. Despite that, Kevin Feige offered a public reassurance last year: 'We are committed to Blade. We love the character, we love Mahershala's take on him. And rest assured: whenever we change direction with a project, or are still figuring out how it fits into our schedule, we let the audience know. You're all up to date on what's happening. But I can tell you that the character will indeed make it to the MCU.' Delroy Lindo, who was originally cast in the film, later confirmed he was no longer involved and said the movie had gone 'off the rails.' Even Ali admitted recently he 'doesn't know where Marvel is at right now.'

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