Love Island USA Season 7 contestant Cierra Ortega has been officially removed from the villa following intense backlash over a resurfaced racist TikTok. In the wake of her exit, her family has released a public statement condemning the online harassment and threats she has received.

Cierra Ortega’s sudden exit from Love Island USA wasn’t just a production twist. It followed a storm of backlash after her old social media posts came to light. Viewers uncovered a 2023 Instagram Story in which Cierra described her face looking “a little chi*ky” when she laughed, saying it was the reason she got Botox. It didn’t end there. A second post from 2015 resurfaced where she used the same slur again. Not only that, but when someone pointed out that it was a derogatory term, she even tried to justify it by saying it was a real word in the dictionary.

For the unversed, the term “chi*ky” is a well-known racial slur against East Asian communities, and many fans were shocked to see it used so casually, not just once, but repeatedly.

Ayo! Have yall seen this 👀 Cierra is caught using a racial slur! pic.twitter.com/FvVVQgvtKo

— 𖠞ೃ࿔:･ (@bakedpotato710x) July 1, 2025

Not cierra being called out that she used a slur way back when she posted it and she said “well that’s just your opinion!” pic.twitter.com/tXlKr7sc1a

— B 🇵🇸🍉 (@californiabarby) July 6, 2025

As these posts began circulating on Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok, outrage quickly grew, and many demanded her exit from the show. After a weeklong backlash, she was finally asked to leave the villa on Sunday's (July 6) episode.

Shortly after her removal from Love Island USA Season 7, Cierra's family took to her Instagram Stories to share what they described as “one of the most painful weeks” of their lives. They acknowledged they’ve seen the posts, the headlines, and the hurt, even though Cierra hasn’t.

They didn’t try to deny the situation or make excuses, stating clearly that they “understand why people are upset” and that they “know accountability matters.” But they also made it clear that what’s happening online has gone far beyond that.

They condemned the level of hate directed at Cierra and those around her. “The threats. The cruel messages. The attacks on her family, her friends, even her supporters—it’s heartbreaking,” they wrote, adding that it was “uncalled for” and that no one deserves that kind of hate, “no matter what mistake they’ve made.”

At the time of the post, Cierra was still away and had not yet had the chance to process the situation or speak for herself. Her family said they know her heart, and when she does return, they believe she’ll face it all “with honesty, growth, and grace.”

They described the balance between seeing her as their “little girl” and recognising that she is also a grown woman, one who will eventually take responsibility “in her own time and in her own voice.”

Until then, they asked for compassion and patience. “For basic human decency. Not just for her, but for everyone caught in the middle of this.” The statement ended with a thank you to those who have continued to show love and support, “even when it’s not easy.”

Cierra Ortega's family's statement after her Love Island exit| Credit: Instagram

Cierra’s removal marks the second time this season a contestant has been taken off due to racist behaviour. Earlier in the season, Yulissa—another islander—faced similar scrutiny and was also removed after fans discovered racially insensitive content linked to her social media.

Since the racism allegations came to light, Cierra Ortega has lost over 250,000 followers on Instagram. Many brands she was previously associated with have either paused their promotions or scrubbed collaborations from their pages. Her account handler also stepped down following the backlash.

For fans who had initially rooted for Cierra, her exit was a disappointing turn. But for others, it felt like long-overdue accountability finally catching up.

Meanwhile, Love Island USA Season 7 is now in its finale week. Alongside Cierra, Zak Srakaew, who joined as a Casa Amor bombshell, was also dumped from the villa after receiving the fewest public votes.

The remaining islanders vying for a spot in the final include Ace, Chelley, Amaya, Nic, Chris, Huda, Clarke, and Taylor.