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,

Cierra's exit came after a resurfaced post from her social media showed her using a racial slur. Following offscreen backlash, Cierra was removed from Fiji - similar to Yulissa Escobar, who was the first Islander removed from the villa earlier this season after clips of her using racial slurs on a podcast circulated online.

Love Island USA's Nic Vansteenberghe made a rare comment about Cierra Ortega after she was removed from the villa. During the Monday, July 7, episode of the hit Peacock series, Nic spoke to Ace Greene about his future with Olandria Carthen after previously being closed off with Cierra.