Love Island USA’s Cierra Ortega leaves show after racism row

Love Island USA’s Cierra Ortega has left the villa “for personal reasons” after old social media posts emerged online.

The 25-year-old content creator from LA was absent from season seven’s latest episode after a 2015 video about Botox treatments resurfaced.

Fans shared and criticised the Instagram post, which contained a derogatory term for Chinese people.

In a statement Cierra’s parents said she had been the target of a hate campaign and called for compassion.

Cierra’s parents, who have been running her social media while she’s been in the villa, said she and her relatives had received threats and “cruel messages”.

Describing the fallout as “one of the most painful weeks of our lives,” they said no-one deserved the hate Cierra had received.

“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.”

“No-one deserves that kind of hate, no matter what mistakes they’ve made.”

Cierra’s parents say that, while she’s left the villa, she “still hasn’t had the chance to process any of this or speak for herself”.

“When she returns, we believe she’ll face this with honesty, growth and grace.

“Until then, we’re simply asking for compassion. For patience. For basic human decency.”

BBC Newsbeat has contacted Peacock, the makers of Love Island USA, for comment.

Cierra’s departure follows that of fellow islander Yulissa Escobar, who left the show after videos of her using a racial slur on a podcast in 2021 re-emerged.

Yulissa later apologised, saying on Instagram she used the offensive term “ignorantly, not fully understanding the weight, history, or pain behind it”.

She followed up her apology with a second post, saying she had received death threats and that she “came back to a warzone” after leaving the villa.

“I’ve taken the time to reflect, to learn, and to grow,” she said.

“Growth means recognizing when you were wrong, even if it’s uncomfortable, and choosing to move forward with humility and accountability.”

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