\n<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cLove Island USA\u201d casually dropped a bombshell during this season\u2019s 30th episode, revealing Cierra Ortega is no longer appearing on the reality competition dating show. The show\u2019s narrator, Iain Stirling, confirmed via voiceover that Cierra \u201cleft the villa due to a personal situation\u201d and therefore Nic Vansteenberg, who she had been in an exclusive couple with for several episodes, was now \u201cofficially single.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tNo reason was given for Cierra\u2019s departure other than it being for \u201cpersonal\u201d reasons. The show cut to a conversation between Nic and fellow contestant Ace Greene, with Nic sharing confusion and disappointment now that Cierra is now longer in the villa. Nic said he was unsure what he will do next. Cierra was an original contestant and had been on the show from the start of the season.<\/p>\n
\n\tCierra\u2019s abrupt exit from \u201cLove Island USA\u201d came amid an avalanche of backlash against her on social media after an alleged social media post from her past resurfaced online in which she used racist language. Fans were calling for Cierra\u2019s removal in the wake of the offensive post resurfacing. Another original contestant, Yulissa Escobar, was kicked off the show after two episodes for using racial slurs in old podcast clips that resurfaced online.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cIn those clips, I used a word I never should\u2019ve used, a racial slur,\u201d Escobar wrote on her\u00a0Instagram account in an apology post after her removal.\u00a0\u201cI used it ignorantly, not fully understanding the weight, history, or pain behind it. I wasn\u2019t trying to be offensive or harmful, but I recognize now that intention doesn\u2019t excuse impact. And the impact of that word is real. It\u2019s tied to generations of trauma, and it is not mine to use.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tShe continued: \u201cAt the time, I was speaking casually in conversation, not thinking deeply or critically about what I was saying. But that doesn\u2019t take away from how wrong it was. The truth is, I didn\u2019t know better then, but I do now. I\u2019ve taken the time to reflect, to learn, and to grow from that moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cLove Island USA\u201d only has one more week of episodes until the winners are announced.<\/p>\n
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