
Love Island USA’s Belle-A Walker Addresses Cierra Ortega’s Exit
Love Island USAās Belle-A Walker Addresses Cierra Ortegaās Exit
Belle-A Walker is saying her piece afterĀ Cierra Ortega’sĀ Love Island USA exit.
After narrator Iain StirlingĀ announced that Cierra had left the show amid a “personal situation” during the July 6 episode of the Peacock series, Bell-A spoke out about the alleged social media posts (which E! News has not authenticated) that recently resurfaced of Cierra using a racial slur for Asian people.
“As a proud Asian American woman, Iām deeply appreciative of the Love Island USA producers for taking a stand and making it clear that racism of any kind is not tolerated,” Belle-A wrote on her Instagram Stories July 6. “When I first saw what my fellow Islander said on their social media pages, I was incredibly heartbroken. But I wanted to wait until they left the villa and were able to address the situation, genuinely apologize, and commit to learning from the experience before deciding how our relationship would look moving forward.”
The 22-year-old, who was the first Islander officially dumped from the Love Island USAĀ villa on the June 8 episode, continued to explain why her mentality on the situation shifted.
“As screenshots continued to surface, it became clear that I could no longer support this person, and made the decision to unfollow them a couple of days ago,” she said. “Asian hate is oftentimes overlooked and dismissed. But being a first-generation American, I have personally witnessed and experienced how real and hurtful comments like these are.”
“It is my hope that this situation can help shed light on how big of an issue anti-Asian hate actually is,” Bell-A went on. “Just like so many other Asian Americans, my mom immigrated here to create a better life for her and her future family. Knowing the hardships she and so many others have faced, I could not be silent any longer. Because what good is this amazing platform God and you all have given me if I donāt use it to amplify the voices of my community?”
Peacock
She ended her statement by urging viewers not to direct more hate Cierra’s way.
“I do not condone bigotry or racism of any kind,” Belle-A finished. “But I also donāt condone hate either. Please think twice before leaving unkind comments to or about this person.”
E! News has reached out to Peacock and CierraĀ for comment but has not yet heard back.
After news broke of Cierra’s exit, her parents also issued a statement addressing the controversy surrounding their daughter.
āWe’re not here to justify or ignore what’s surfaced,ā they wrote in a message shared to CierraāsĀ Instagram Story July 6. āWe understand why people are upset, and we know accountability matters. But what’s happening online right now has gone far beyond that.”
Ben Symons/Peacock via Getty Images
“The threats. The cruel messages. The attacks on her family, her friends, even her supporters, it’s heartbreaking,” they continued. “It’s uncalled for. And no one deserves that kind of hate, no matter what mistake they’ve made.”
Cierra’s parents shared that she had not yet returned home from Fiji, whereĀ Love Island USA films, but they were sure that “she’ll face this with honesty, growth, and grace.”
āWhile she’ll always be our little girl, she’s also a woman, one who will take responsibility in her own time and her own voice,ā they said. āUntil then, we’re simply asking for compassion. For patience. For basic human decency. Not just for her, but for everyone caught in the middle of this.ā
Keep reading for more on theĀ Love Island USAĀ season 7 cast…
(E! News and Peacock are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Peacock
Bryan Arenales
Boston, Massachusetts
Peacock
Elan Bibas
Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Peacock
Courtney “CoCo” Watson
Los Angeles, Calfornia
Peacock
Clarke Carraway
Columbia, South Carolina
Peacock
Chris Seeley
Fresno, California
Peacock
Zak Srakaew
Roi Et, Thailand
Peacock
Zac Woodworth
Portland, Utah
Peacock
JD Dodard
Dallas, Texas
Peacock
Jaden Duggar
Los Angeles, California
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Gracyn Blackmore
Bristol, Virginia
Peacock
Savanna “Vanna” Einerson
Salt Lake City, Utah
Peacock/NBCUniversal
Andreina Santos
Peacock/NBCUniversal
Thomas John “TJ” Thomas
Peacock
Belle-A Walker
Honolulu, HawaiiĀ
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Austin Shepard
Northville, Michigan
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Ace Greene
Los Angeles, California
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Chelley Bissainthe
Orlando, FloridaĀ
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Huda Mustafa
Raleigh, North Carolina
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Nicolas Vansteenberghe
Jacksonville, FloridaĀ
Peacock
Jeremiah Brown
Los Angeles, California
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Olandria Carthen
Decatur, Alabama
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Yulissa Escobar
Miami, Florida
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Taylor Williams
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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Cierra Ortega
Peacock
Charlie Georgiou
Voted Out