‘Love Island’ contestant abruptly exits show as past racial slurs resurface

A contestant on “Love Island USA” has abruptly left the reality dating show after multiple racist social media posts that she supposedly made started resurfacing online.

Narrator Iain Stirling announced during the show’s 30th episode on Sunday that Cierra Ortega had left the show due to a “personal situation.”

This left Nic Vansteenberghe, who was exclusively dating Ortega for several episodes, “officially single.”

While “Love Island USA” did not provide any further reason for Ortega’s departure, PEOPLE reported her abrupt exit came after multiple racist social media posts allegedly made by Ortega resurfaced.

Ortega’s parents described the situation as “one of the most painful weeks of our lives” in an Instagram story Sunday.

“We’re not here to justify or ignore what’s surfaced,” they wrote. “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,” the parents continued. “It’s uncalled for. And no one deserves that kind of hate, no matter what mistake they’ve made.”

They added that Ortega “will take responsibility in her own time and her own voice.”

“Until then, we’re simply asking for compassion. For patience. For basic human decency. Not just for her, but for everyone caught in the middle of this,” Ortega’s parents concluded.

Ortega was an original contestant and had been on “Love Island USA” since the season started. She appeared to have used a racial slur to describe her smile while getting Botox in a Jan. 2015 and Feb. 2023 social media post, according to PEOPLE.

The 25-year-old content creator lost more than 200,000 followers with 48 hours of the posts surfacing, Daily Mail reported, going from a near 1 million followers to 687,000. More than 17,000 people also signed a petition, created July 2, asking for her removal from “Love Island” season 7.

Fellow contestant Belle-A Walker spoke out following Ortega’s exit, writing in an Instagram story Sunday that she is “deeply appreciative of the Love Island USA producers for taking a stand and making it clear that racism of any kind is not tolerated.”

“When I first saw what my fellow Islander said on her social media pages, I was incredibly heartbroken,” the first-generation Asian-American wrote.

“As screenshots continued to surface, it became clear that I could no longer support this person, and made the decision to unfollow them a couple of days ago,” the 22-year-old wrote.

Walker went on to say how “Asian hate is oftentimes overlooked and dismissed,” but hoped that “this situation can help shed light on how big of an issue anti-Asian hate actually is.”

“I do not condone bigotry or racism of any kind. But I also don’t condone hate either,” Walker wrote. “Please think twice before leaving unkind comments to or about this person.”

Ortega’s sudden exit was not the only one this season. Yulissa Escobar also left during episode two after podcast clips of her using racial slurs circulated online.

Escobar later apologized in a lengthy Instagram post on June 6, saying, “In those clips, I used a word I never should’ve used, a racial slur. I used it ignorantly, not fully understanding the weight, history or pain behind it.”

“I wasn’t trying to be offensive or harmful, but I recognize now that intention doesn’t excuse impact. And the impact of that word is real. It’s tied to generations of trauma, and it is not mine to use,” she continued. “To those who are disappointed or offended, I understand and I apologize. I am sorry.”

“Love Island USA” season 7 airs daily, except Wednesdays, at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock.