Love Island USAseason 7’s finally come to an end, but the drama between the Islanders is just getting started asone of the show’s most talked-about Islanders is claiming they got a villain edit, despite being removed from the show for using a racial slur. ThroughoutLove Island USAseason 7, viewers watched as love blossomed between the couples.
While some were quick to find a connection, others struggled in their relationships.Cierra Ortega, who came into the showas a bombshell on day two, was connected with Nic Vansteenberghe throughout the season. Unfortunately, Cierra was discovered to have used a racial slur several times in past online posts, andfans successfully rallied to have her removed from the series.
In the aftermath ofLove Island USAseason 7, Cierra’s been open and apologetic, buther most recent post puts rose-colored glasses on her time as an Islander.“I booked a flight to Mykonos after surviving the villain edit on reality tv and I didn’t end up with the guy who never actually liked me and wanted my friend the entire time,“Cierrashared.
While Cierra may have been villainized byLove Island USAfans,the series was kind in the way they released her from the show. Rather than sharing why she was removed from the villa, or even discussing it as a removal at all,Love Island USAshared Cierra leftfor"personal reasons"and didn’t harp on the actual problematic details.
She’s Not Accepting The Reality Of What Happened
WhileCierra’s had a difficult timeafter her removal fromLove Island USAseason 7,it wasn’t the show giving her an edit that led to her status as a villain.Love Island USAseason 7’s fans were at the hands of discovering her past use of a racial slur, which led to her being removed from the villa by production.
On screen,Love Island USAviewersdidn’t have any acknowledgment of what happened or why Cierra was being removed from the villa, which seemed like more of a kindness to her than a slight. Rather than blasting thatCierra was being removed for using a slur, the producers seemed to gloss over the incident in a way that kept her safe.
WhileCierra’s experiences afterLove Island USAhave likely been overwhelming in moments, the show never vilified her in the way they could have. Cierra’s"villain edit"has come fromLove Island USAviewers, who are choosing to respond to her behavior in many ways.Accepting responsibility for her actions should’ve kept Cierra from feeling like she was edited to be a villain.
Our Take On Cierra Claiming To Suffer From A Villain Edit
She’s Mostly In The Wrong
While Cierra may not have intentionally posted about being edited as a villain to ruffle feathers, she’s mostly in the wrong about her status on the show. Though part of Cierra’s post, referencingNic’s new relationship with Olandria Carthen, is likely accurate, the idea that she was edited to be the villain isn’t.The show’s fans have villainized her more than the series did.
ThoughCierra seems like she’s going to continueto post in a similar fashion afterLove Island USA, using the show as a scapegoat for her own behavior after apologizing,it’s clear that she’s trying to capitalize on her appearance in some way. Cierra’s ability to take accountability felt impressive after herLove Island USAremoval, but it’s turning sour as time goes on.
Love Island USAis streaming on Peacock, and this season’s reunion will air August 25.
