Warning: This article contains spoilers for Love Island USA season 7 episode 30.
Love Island USAseason 7 episode 30 featured a difficult switch up for some whenCierra Ortega was removed from the villa after days of fans pleading with production to get her off the show. Cierra, one ofLove Island USAseason 7’soriginal Bombshells, has been coupled up with Nic Vansteenberghe all season. Her departure left viewers happy, but Nic confused.
Cierra’s departure was covered quickly onLove Island USAseason 7 episode 30, when narrator Iain Stirling shared that Cierra"left the villa due to a personal reason"and allowed Nic to discuss his feelings, switching things away from Cierra. In reality,Love Island USA’sproducers have been dealing with Cierra’s past posts popping up, which had instances of racist language against Asian features.
Cierra, who’s been onLove Island USAseason 7 since nearly the beginning, has been a polarizing figure, but hasn’t been running her own social media for over a month.AfterLove Island USAfans dug up an old post of Cierra’s using a derogatory term, they’ve been hopeful production would take action. So late into the season, many were surprised to see Cierra removed.
What Cierra Being Removed From Love Island USA Season 7’s Villa Means
The Show Is Serious About Admonishing Racist Behavior
Although there have been some difficult allegations against Islanders online throughout the season,viewers calling out Cierra’s behavior was a signal to theLove Island USAproducersthat they weren’t willing to put up with another cast member doing something racially insensitive. After originalIslander Yulissa Escobar was dropped from the showfor racist behavior,Love Island USAfans were serious.
AsLove Island USAseason 7 made it clear that they were unwilling to put people who have been racist in the past on a platform,fans were serious about them continuing the trend with Cierra. While her derogatory behavior was different than Yulissa’s, it was clear that racist behavior is racist behavior, and fans were upfront that theproducers had a responsibility to remove Cierra.
With the series making a firm decision surrounding both women who have displayed racially insensitive behavior in the past,Love Island USAhas made a clear statement that they’re not willing to promote someone who’s been discriminatory in the past.Cierra, who was already losing social media followers prior to her removal, will no longer haveLove Island USA’ssupport.
Our Take On Love Island USA’s Producers Choosing To Remove Cierra
Production Made The Best Decision For Their Fans
ThoughCierra’s behavior wasn’t somethingLove Island USAproducers were ever going to condone, going as far to remove her from the villa was a major step. With reality shows consistently covering up poor behavior,Love Island USAsent a clear signalthat they weren’t willing to do that. Instead, they chose to remove Cierra, even with just days left of the season.
Cierra’s removal from the series made it clear to futureLove Island USAapplicants that their behavior will be scrutinized, and the potential that they’ve used racially insensitive language or done something insensitive in the past will be taken seriously. Protecting their fans from people who promote something that is openly racist or racially insensitive,Love Island USA’sproducers obviously care.
Love Island USAairs every night at 9 p.m. EDT on Peacock, except for Wednesdays.
