Cierra Ortega became the talk of the town once her exit from season 7 of Love Island USA was announced. Fans know by now that her departure wasn’t a normal vote by the islanders, but rather an abrupt removal by the reality dating series. As Cierra grapples with her elimination, Hollywood Life has rounded up five facts about Cierra below.
Cierra Ortega Is a Social Media Content Creator
Cierra has established herself as a social media influencer. As seen on her Instagram page, she has shared fashionable videos of herself promoting various fashion brands, traveling around the world and attending various events. Among the most famous fashion brands she has collaborated with was Kim Kardashian‘s SKIMS shapewear company.
How Old Is Cierra Ortega?
Cierra is 25 years old, as of 2025. And per NBC, she is a Libra, and she had no qualms about going after what she wanted in Love Island USA.
“I’m the full package: brains, beauty, and boobs. I don’t care whose toes I have to step on,” Cierra’s Love Island USA bio read. “If I can take your man, he was never your man in the first place.”
Cierra Ortega Was Born in Arizona & Lives in L.A.
Cierra lives in Los Angeles now, per her Instagram bio, but she’s an Arizona girl at heart. As seen in her Instagram bio, Cierra is of Puerto Rican and Mexican heritage.
Cierra Ortega Was Coupled Up With Nic on Love Island USA
Before she was suddenly removed from the show in episode 30, Cierra was coupled up with Nic Vansteenberghe. The pair seemed to be going pretty strong to the point where Nic seemed really upset when Cierra abruptly exited the show.
“Right before Cierra had left, my mind was clear,” Nic explained during the episode after Cierra’s exit was announced. “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.”
However, Nic chose to couple up with Olandria Carthen.
Cierra Ortega Was Removed From Love Island After Racial Slur Resurfaced
Days after fans called for her removal, Love Island USA narrator Iain Stirling announced that Cierra “left the villa due to a personal situation, leaving Nic officially single.”
Neither Peacock nor its parent company, NBCU, immediately addressed Cierra’s departure. However, it became clear that the reason was because of a past social media post in which she used an anti-Asian racial slur.
Days later, Cierra spoke out about her elimination in an Instagram video, apologizing for her past usage of the racial slur.
“I want to first start by addressing, not just anyone that I have hurt or deeply offended, but most importantly, the entire Asian community,” Cierra began. “I am deeply, truly, honestly, so sorry. I had no idea that the word held as much pain as much harm, and came with the history that it did, or I never would have used it. I had no ill intention when I was using it. But that’s absolutely no excuse, because intent doesn’t excuse ignorance.”
The reality star pointed out that she takes “accountability for using the word,” but insisted that she “genuinely had no idea that it was a slur” at the time she used it.
Speaking on her elimination from Love Island USA, Cierra said, “I think that this is something that deserved punishment, and the punishment has absolutely been received.”