When contestants leave “Love Island USA,” it’s usually pretty emotional and always rocks the villa.
The islanders are typically eliminated on the Peacock dating show after their fellow cast members have a public vote, when they’re left without a partner or from a fan vote.
However, on season 7, which has erupted to new levels of extreme fandom on social media this summer, the removal of two contestants has come from the show’s producers after their uses of racial slurs before filming came to light.
In both instances, fan outrage has preceded the two contestants’ departures.
The first came early in the season with an original cast member, setting the stage for what has been a scandal-filled month of “Love Island USA.” The latest came during the July 6 episode when 25-year-old Cierra Ortega was removed just a week before the season finale.
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Ortega’s sudden exit shook up the villa as the season enters its final days.
While there are no contestants from Wisconsin on this season, it appears everyone can’t stop talking about the cast, and what they’ve done inside and outside the villa.
So, why did Ortega leave “Love Island?” Here’s everything to know about the latest major shocking departure this season:
Good news from Love Island: Wisconsin woman who starred on season 5 announces new relationship with an alum of season 6
Why did Cierra leave the villa on ‘Love Island USA’ season 7?
Ortega entered the villa on the second night as one of the many “bombshells” that would be part of the show this season.
She quickly formed a connection with Nic Vansteenberghe, 24, of Jacksonville, Florida, and soon coupled up. They appeared destined for the finals or at least to leave together whenever their time would end.
They even “closed things off” not long ago after reuniting following the Casa Amor twist. But social posts from Ortega’s past recirculated online in which she used an Asian racial slur. Backlash from the show’s passionate fanbase online was swift, with many calling for her removal just as the show did with original cast member, Yulissa Escobar, on the third day when her use of a racial slur also resurfaced.
Fans were also reaching out to host Ariana Madix on social media for action.
Ultimately, Ortega was kicked off the show on Day 26.
Why did Cierra go home?
“Love Island USA” didn’t specifically say why Ortega was removed, with the only acknowledgement coming from show narrator Ian Stirling, who said early in the July 6 episode that “Cierra has left the villa due to personal reasons.”
The comments were similar in nature for when Escobar was removed, though Stirling didn’t say “personal reasons” for her. USA TODAY reached out to Peacock for comment.
But Ortega’s removal comes after about a week of public outcry when her use of an Asian racial slur on her social media came to the surface. Ortega has not commented publicly yet, though her parents put out a statement July 6, saying “this has been one of the most painful weeks of our lives.”
“We’re not here to justify or ignore what’s surfaced,” the statement read. “We understand why people are upset, and we know accountability matters. But what’s happening online right now has gone far beyond that.”
The family says this includes threats, cruel messages and attacks against them and Ortega’s supporters. Outside of the Ortega backlash, earlier this season, “Love Island USA” and Madix addressed cyberbullying from fans to contestants. Islanders are cut off from the outside world during filming, which takes place in near real time in Fiji. Contestants don’t have access to their phones.
“While Cierra is not in the villa anymore she is still away,” the statement continued. “She hasn’t had the chance to process any of this or speak for herself. But we know our daughter. We know her heart. And when she returns, we believe she’ll face this with honesty, growth and grace.
“While she’ll always be our little girl, she’s also a woman, one who will take responsibility in her own time and her own voice.”
After Ortega’s exit, her connection on the show, Nic Vansteenberghe, was left single. He later coupled up with fellow original cast member and Ortega’s close friend, Olandria Carthen.
What happened to Cierra on ‘Love Island USA’?
After fan backlash over her use of a racial slur, Cierra was kicked off “Love Island USA” a week before the finale.
She was barely seen in episode 30 on July 6 and, after the show came back from a commercial about 15 minutes in, Stirling quietly announced her exit.
The show continued, with her connection Vansteenberghe appearing especially down and upset about where he would go next.
Even before her exit, Ortega’s friends who had been managing the 25-year-old’s Instagram account took a step back from posting about the show when Ortega’s comments surfaced.
Ortega, who appeared to be one of the more popular contestants early in the season, would soon lose hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers after the racial slur came to light.
When is episode 31 of ‘Love Island USA’?
After last night’s reveal that Ortega was removed from the villa plus a recoupling and public dumping of two islanders, what will happen tonight?
Episode 31 of “Love Island USA” will stream on Peacock at 8 p.m. CT Monday, July 7.
Who goes home on ‘Love Island USA’ tonight?
Last night saw the end of Zak Srakaew’s and Elan Bibas’ journey on “Love Island USA.” The two weren’t picked by any of the girls in the villa and went home. Both entered the villa through Casa Amor.
No one will leave during the July 7 episode, but it looks like the July 8 show will reveal the results of the fan vote from Sunday night. And that means a couple could leave the villa.
‘Love Island USA’ voting
Fans on July 6 voted for their favorite couple after the recoupling ceremony.
There are six couples left. The couples with the fewest votes are in danger of leaving the villa.
How to vote on ‘Love Island USA’
Voting takes place on the “Love Island USA” app. Fans all season have had the opportunity to vote on their favorite islanders or couples and also had their say through other poll questions.
The winners of this season will also be crowned via a fan vote.
When will ‘Love Island USA’ season 7 end?
The finale of “Love Island USA” season 7 is rapidly approaching. It’s set for Sunday, July 13. That means this season will end with 36 episodes.
Who are the winners of ‘Love Island USA’ season 7?
“Love Island USA” fans will find that out during the season finale July 13. After Sunday’s recoupling and dumping of two islanders, the winner will be one of six couples still left in the villa. Besides finding love, which may or may not happen this season, based on how it’s played out, the winning couple gets $100,000.
- Amaya and Bryan
- Chelley and Ace
- Clarke and Taylor
- Huda and Chris
- Iris and Pepe
- Nic and Olandria
Two years ago, a Franklin native who now lives in Milwaukee made it to the finale of “Love Island USA” season 5 before finishing in fourth place.
‘Love Island USA’ season 7 original cast
Ten islanders walked into the villa on the first day, looking for love. Are any of them left? Yes, but none of them are in their original couples.
Half of the 12 islanders left are part of the OG cast with the other six either as “bombshells” or from Casa Amor. The originals still on the show are Chelley Bissainthe, Huda Mustafa and Olandria Carthen on the girls side and Ace Greene, Nic Vansteenberghe and Taylor Williams on the boys side.
Austin Shepard, Jeremiah Brown, Bell-A Walker and Yulissa Escobar were also part of the season 7 originals. Shepard, along with two bombshells and two Casa Amor girls, was one of five cast members dumped from the island last week. Brown’s connection, which he later called toxic with Mustafa, was voted out by his fellow islanders on Day 16. Escobar was removed from the island on the third day.
Yulissa on ‘Love Island’
Speaking of Escobar, her stay on “Love Island” was short-lived and ended abruptly. She was removed during the second episode with a simple statement from Stirling to the audience: “Yulissa has left the villa.”
Social media called for her removal from the time the season began in early June after her use of a racial slur surfaced.
Yulissa apologized upon her return home.
“First, I want to apologize for using a word I had no right in using. Podcast clips from years ago have recently resurfaced, and I want to address it directly,” the 27-year-old from Miami wrote in an Instagram post on June 6. “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 added she has “changed a lot since then, not just in how I speak, but in how I show up, how I carry myself, and I honor the experiences of others. Growth means recognizing when you were wrong, even if it’s uncomfortable, and choosing to move forward with humility and accountability.”
What days is ‘Love Island USA’ on?
The rest of the “Love Island USA” schedule for season 7 is as follows: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday for “Love Island After-Sun” and Sunday for the season finale.
Episodes begin at 8 p.m. Central time.
Where to watch ‘Love Island’
“Love Island USA” can be streamed on Peacock, NBC’s streaming platform.
