Love Island USA’s Cierra’s friends speak out after racism scandal

Former Islander Johnnie Oliva and Cierra Ortega’s close friend and influencer MJ Hedderman address backlash after offensive language resurfaces online.

Following the recent controversy surrounding Love Island USA Season 7 contestant Cierra Ortega, two of her close friends are speaking out after old social media posts featuring language offensive to Asian communities resurfaced.

Johnnie Oliva, a former contestant from Love Island USA Season 5 and part of Ortega’s inner circle, addressed the issue in a public Instagram story. “I’m sure many of you have noticed I have refrained from talking about Love Island and have stopped publicly supporting my friend on the show. This was after I saw the post involving a racial slur for the first time,” Oliva wrote.

“I loved supporting her during the time on the show, but once I came across that post, I felt it was necessary to take a step back. I do not support or condone that kind of language, never have, never will,” she continued. “Racism in any form is unacceptable, and to be clear, unless you are Asian, you do not get to decide whether or not that word is offensive. Anyone who isn’t Asian should not be speaking about the seriousness or impact of that word.”

Another friend, MJ Hedderman, who had also been managing Ortega’s account, issued her own statement. “Hi guys, I see your comments concerning someone I love and care about,” Hedderman began. “I want to be clear that I do not condone racism, bigotry, or hate in any way shape or form nor was I aware of the recent screenshots until they were posted.”

“I discovered it at the same time as all of you did. I cannot speak for anybody or make any statements besides my own, and decided to take a step back from running her account. I was asked by her family to turn off comments and refrain from speaking on her behalf. This situation has been really difficult and I’m still processing everything,” she concluded.

The scandal broke when screenshots from Ortega’s past Instagram posts began circulating online. In a January 2015 upload, Ortega posted a photo of herself smiling at the top of a mountain, using a racial slur in reference to the way her eyes looked when she smiled.

The same word appeared again in a February 2023 Story, where she documented getting Botox. Ortega, now 25, wrote at the time that she uses the injectable as a “mini brow lift to open up [her] eyes and get that snatched look.”

The posts went viral earlier this week while Ortega, currently coupled with Nic Vansteenberghe, remains unaware inside the villa in Fiji, where Season 7 is filming.

With the backlash growing, her friends who were managing her social media accounts are taking a step back.

The online reaction has also been intense. One Reddit user who remembered the 2015 post claimed, “I remember when she said this and I dmed her this like not to say I told you so but.” They included a screenshot of the alleged message they sent Ortega at the time: “girl that is a slur delete this b4 someone exposes you for it in a few yrs when ur successful.”

On X, fans also shared their outrage. One user said, “A slur used repeatedly is too much. Racism towards the AAPI community is racism nonetheless and I think it’s tiring how everyone is trying to sweep it under the rug. Grow up.”

Another wrote, “GET HER OUT NOW,” while tagging Love Island USA, NBC, and Peacock. “This is going to show a huge double standard for Love Island if they don’t kick her off.”

The comparison was made to contestant Yulissa Escobar, who exited the villa after just one episode earlier this season when old videos of her using another racial slur surfaced.

“Yulissa has left the villa,” narrator Iain Stirling said in the second episode before continuing without further explanation.

As of now, NBC and Peacock have not commented on Ortega’s status or the growing criticism.