Love Island USA’s popular contestant Cierra Ortega has been silently removed from the show amid a racial slur controversy. The 25-year-old’s exit was earlier attributed to personal reasons. However, later it came to light that the makers of the show asked her to leave a week before the season’s finale as her past videos containing a racial slur resurfaced on Instagram. Reportedly, her two social media posts from 2015 and 2023 began circulating on social media, which saw her using racial slurs against Asians, while contemplating cosmetic procedures she wanted to get. Read on to know more about her background, family, and the controversy that led to her exit from the show.
Who Is Cierra Ortega? Age And Background
Cierra is a 25-year-old social media influencer who often shares glimpses of her life while travelling, surfing, and horse riding. She is of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent. She comes from Arizona but currently resides in Los Angeles. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona. After her removal from the show, her partner, Nic Vansteenberghe, is now single.
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Cierra Ortega’s Career
Besides her Love Island USA 7 stint, she works in influencer management and brand partnerships. She is reportedly partnered with major brands including SKIMS, AdoreMe, and Good American. Her net worth is not publicly disclosed.
Cierra Ortega’s Racial Slur Controversy
Social media users have uncovered two past videos of Cierra, which show her using racial slurs against Asian Communities, with one post dating back as recently as 2023. During the same time, she left the show, with makers stating personal reasons; however, the timing of her exit has sparked widespread speculation.
On July 6, 2025, Cierra’s parents released a statement via Instagram stories expressing their distress over the backlash. “This has been one of the most painful weeks of our lives. We’ve seen the posts, the headlines, the hurt, and the hate. And while Cierra hasn’t seen any of it yet, we have. And so have the people who love her,” they wrote.
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In the statement, they acknowledged the offence caused by the resurfaced post, while also condemning the hate messages directed at Cierra and her family. “No one deserves that kind of hate, no matter what mistake they’ve made,” the message added.
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