Cierra Ortega, a 25-year-old content creator from Los Angeles, has exited Love Island USA, citing "personal reasons" following the resurfacing of controversial old social media posts. The incident gained attention after a 2015 video about Botox treatments went viral, leading fans to criticize her for using a derogatory term for Chinese people in an Instagram post.
In a public statement, Cierra's parents revealed they had been managing her social media while she was in the villa and expressed their anguish over the "hate campaign" against her. They called for compassion, stating, "No one deserves the hate Cierra has received," emphasizing the importance of accountability without crossing the line into cruelty.
Cierra's situation follows the departure of another islander, Yulissa Escobar, who left after clips of her using a racial slur on a podcast resurfaced. Yulissa expressed remorse for her actions and shared on Instagram that she received death threats and described her return to the villa as entering "a warzone."
Both controversies highlight the impact of past actions in the digital age, with calls for understanding and patience as Cierra prepares to address the issues upon her return.
