Cierra Ortega was removed from Love Island USA after old social media posts containing an anti-Asian slur resurfaced. The 25-year-old contestant apologized in a video, explaining she used the term in a 2024 Instagram story without knowing its derogatory meaning. She deleted the post immediately after a follower educated her about its harmful nature. Ortega also revealed she received death threats following her departure from the show. This incident occurred just before the season finale of Peacock’s popular reality series.