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".

Cierra Ortega's abrupt departure from Love Island USA due to a personal matter shocked fans, especially after she and Nic Vansteenberghe had just become exclusive. Nic's seemingly unfazed reaction fueled speculation,