At this point, two cast members from Love Island USA's current season have left the show amid racist posts resurfacing, prompting fans to call for better background checks. And while it's unclear exactly how the casting process works, an insider spoke to the Daily Mail and alleged that the show asks contestants to mine their own social media for "anything racist, sexist or homophobic."
"It's frustrating and annoying," the casting insider said. "We tell them to go through their social media to make sure there isn't a problem."
The source added that production and casting do vet everyone's social media, but "sometimes have to trust that [contestants] understand what's acceptable and what's not" and that "everyone involved in the show is annoyed at her and at the situation right now, but it is what it is."
They also explained that Cierra Ortega's racist post on Instagram was "not okay and she should have known that."
FYI, Cierra hasn't spoken out about leaving Love Island just yet, but her parents released a lengthy statement saying that she doesn't have access to her phone yet. They also asked people to stop leaving "cruel messages," noting "We're not here to justify or ignore what's surfaced. We understand people are upset, and we know accountability matters."
