Love Island USA contestant Cierra Ortega was removed from the Love Island Villa during last night's episode following fan backlash over an old social media post from Ortega.
During last night's episode (6 July) which aired on Peacock, show narrator Iain Stirling made the official announcement Cierra had departed, telling viewers 15 minutes in: "Welcome back to Love Island USA, Cierra has left the villa due to a personal situation, leaving Nic [Vansteenberghe] officially single."
Earlier last week Love Island USA viewers uncovered a social media post by Ortega in which she spoke about the cosmetic work she had done, and made a racial slur towards the Asian community while referencing her eyes.
Following the discovery of this slur, Love Island USA viewers took to social media demading Ortega be removed from the villa.
While Cierra has not addressed the comments herself since leaving the Villa, her parents have responded to her removal.
Writing on Cierra's Instagram Story, the pair acknowledged what had happened but also asked for compassion for their daughter who they were yet to see as she had not yet returned home.
They said: "As Cierra’s parents, 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 lover her.
"We’re not here to justify or ignore what’s surface. We understand why people upset and we know accountability matters. But what’s happening online right now now has gone far beyond that.
"The treats. The cruel messages. The attacks on her family, her friends, even her supporters, it’s heartbreaking. It’s uncalled for. And no one deserves that kind of hate, no matter what mistake they’ve made.
"While Cierra is not in the Villa anymore, she is still away. She’s hasn’t had the chance to process of this or speak for herself. But we know our daughter. We know her heart. And when she returns, we believe she’l 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. Until then, we’re simply asking for compassion. For patience. For basic human decency. Not just for her, but for everyone caught in the middle of this. Thank you to those who’ve continued to show love, even when it’s not easy. With love, her family."
Cierra is the second Love Island USA contestant to be removed this series following unearthing of racial slurs.
Earlier in the series Yulissa Escobar was removed from the Villa in the second episode after it was discovered she had repeatedly used the N-word during a podcast interview prior to appearing on the show.
Since her departure she has apologised for her actions.
Love Island USA continues on Peacock
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