Love Island USA: Nic Explains Cierra’s Shock Exit Over Racial Slur Controversy
Hold onto your coffee cup, because this is one reality TV ride you have to hear about. Nic Vansteenberghe has finally broken his silence on partner Cierra Ortega’s abrupt removal from Love Island USA season seven, and trust me, the behind-the-scenes story is a wild swirl of confusion, loyalty, and quick pivots. On the July 15 episode of the Chicks in the Office podcast, the 24-year-old registered nurse detailed how July 6’s bombshell exit caught him completely off guard. One moment he and Cierra were planning their future in Fiji, and the next, she simply vanished from the villa without a clear explanation.
Nic recalled that producers pulled him aside and offered only a “very vague” personal reason for Cierra’s departure. He wasn’t told a single detail, which left him feeling lost and seriously debating whether to leave himself. Remember the way these producers operate (yes, with 85 cameras and rapid editing to churn out daily episodes)? He got no inside scoop and no moral context—just a blank space where his partner once stood. As he admitted, he thought, If the situation outside doesn’t align with my own values, sticking around might look like I’m condoning it. So he gave himself permission to stay.
When the season wrapped, he learned that Cierra’s exit was tied to a resurfaced social media post using a slur aimed at Asian people. “Seeing what it is and whether or not those values align with what I value, now I can kind of have a better perception on it,” Nic stated. That public revelation shed new light on the vague producer explanation and cleared up why he felt conflicted in the villa.
Meanwhile, critics pounced on Nic for coupling with Olandria Carthen too quickly. He set the record straight by explaining that he and Olandria bonded over mutual confusion. Both had just lost strong connections—hers with Taylor Williams, his with Cierra—so they leaned on each other and took things slowly. They did not go from zero to kissing in a day. It was hours of heartfelt chats, awkward ice-breaking in the communal bedroom, and gradual trust-building under Fiji’s blazing sun. That slow burn became the foundation for their current relationship.
Cierra herself addressed the controversy in an Instagram video on July 9, admitting she had no idea at the time that the word she used was a slur and apologizing once a follower pointed it out. She agreed with the network’s decision to remove her from the villa and acknowledged the backlash. “This is something that deserved punishment, and the punishment has absolutely been received,” she confessed.
Reality TV fans will want to watch how these three navigate life post-villa and whether Nic and Olandria’s bond can withstand outside pressures. Stay tuned for more island intel and upcoming season recaps. I swear, I could talk about this all day but my coffee is getting cold!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! Online, Chicks in the Office
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
