Everything We Know About Cierra’s Exit From ‘Love Island USA’ 

What happened? 

In the days leading up to her departure, social media users unearthed Instagram Stories from 2023 in which Cierra used a racist slur. The post quickly made the rounds online, sparking outrage and calling into question how thoroughly contestants are vetted before being cast on major shows like LI USA. 

In one post, Cierra is describing why she got Botox and other facial procedures to “enhance” her looks.

“Botox isn’t for everyone, but I love it for me,” she said. “I can also be a little ch***y when I laugh/smile so I love getting a mini brow lift to open my eyes and get that snatched look.”

The language used in the post was widely condemned and fueled a demand for accountability from Cierra and the show.

Was Cierra aware of the backlash? 

As far as we know, Cierra had no idea about the posts going viral until the producers brought it to her attention. Like all people on the show, she didn’t have access to her phone or the outside world, so it she wouldn’t have known about it until things hit the fan. 

Has she addressed the fallout?

We haven’t gotten any word on the situation from Cierra, who seems as though she may still be settling back into civilian life. But her parents have weighed in through her socials, which they’ve been running while she’s been away. 

“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 love her," the statement on her Instagram Story read. “We're not here to justify or ignore what’s surfaced. We understand why people are upset, and we know accountability matters.

“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,” the statement continued. “She hasn't had the chance to process any of this or speak for herself. But we know our daughter. We know her heart. And when she returns, we believe she'll face this with honesty, growth, and grace.”

How are viewers reacting?

The reaction online has been swift and divided, to say the least. While it’s been reported that Cierra’s lost over 100,000 followers, some are still defending her actions. 

Others have called for LI to take more responsibility in vetting contestants, since this isn’t the first exit this season by a contestant who used racial slurs. Yulissa Escobar left the show after just two episodes because video of her using a slur targeting Black people on a podcast resurfaced.

She apologized, saying: “In those clips, I used a word I never should’ve used, a racial slur. I used it ignorantly, not fully understanding the weight, history, or pain behind it. I wasn’t trying to be offensive or harmful, but I recognize now that intention doesn’t excuse impact. And the impact of that word is real. It’s tied to generations of trauma, and it is not mine to use.”

On TikTok, people joked about how the producers might’ve told Cierra her time on the show was done. 

Where does this leave the show?

It looked like business as usual after Cierra’s shocking departure. Other than a short scene in which Nic Vansteenberghe, the guy Cierra coupled up with, addressed what he was feeling after she left, no one else seemingly said anything about Cierra.

“Right before Cierra had left, my mind was clear,” Nic said. “I knew what the future would look like, and now I’m lost. I think now that my strongest connection is gone, there’s like—just figure it out from here.”

While Nic said he didn’t know if he would couple up with anyone else, he found a match with Olandria at the episode’s end.