Fellow contestant Belle-A Walker spoke out following Ortega’s exit, writing in an Instagram story Sunday that she is “deeply appreciative of the Love Island USA producers for taking a stand and making it clear that racism of any kind is not tolerated.”

The 25-year-old’s shocking departure left fellow contestant Nic Vansteenberghe single. Her parents released a lengthy statement via Instagram.

Cierra's departure follows that of fellow islander Yulissa Escobar, who left the show after videos of her using a racial slur on a podcast in 2021 re-emerged. Yulissa later apologised, saying on Instagram she used the offensive term "ignorantly, not fully understanding the weight, history, or pain behind it".