Belle-A Walker is sharing her thoughts about Cierra Ortega suddenly leaving Love Island USA season 7. On the Sunday, July 6 episode of the Peacock show, it was revealed that Cierra had left the villa due to a “personal situation.”
No other details were given, and her departure left Nic Vansteenberghe — who had “closed off” with Cierra just days earlier — single. Cierra’s exit happened after old posts came up where she allegedly used a racial slur.
This led Belle-A — who was the first Islander dumped after Nic chose to recouple with Cierra — to speak out.
As a proud Asian American woman, I’m deeply appreciative of the Love Island USA producers for taking a stand and making it clear that racism of any kind is not tolerated.
the 22-year-old began her statement, which she posted on her Instagram Stories shortly after the latest episode aired
Asian hate is oftentimes overlooked and dismissed. I have personally witnessed and experienced how real and hurtful comments like these are, it is my hope that this situation can shed light on how big of an issue anti-Asian hate actually is.
Reflecting on her own experience as a “first-generation American,” Belle-A spoke about how
Cierra’s use of the racial slur left her “incredibly heartbroken.”
Belle-A said she initially wanted to wait to give Cierra time after leaving the villa to address the situation, genuinely apologize, and commit to learning from the experience before deciding how our relationship would look moving forward. As screenshots continued to surface, it became clear that I could no longer support this person
she continued
She stopped following Cierra “a couple days ago” because of it.
Also Read: Cierra Leaves ‘Love Island USA’ Due to a ‘Personal Situation’ Amid Backlash Over Resurfaced Post
Belle-A also urged fans of the show and people online to stay kind even with Cierra’s past comments.
Though she said she “could not be silent” after the resurfaced posts and wanted to “use” her “amazing platform” to “amplify the voices of my community,” Belle-A also asked fans to be kind when Cierra gets her phone back.
I do not condone bigotry or racism of any kind. But I also don’t condone hate either. Please think twice before leaving unkind comments to or about this person.
she wrote
The plea was similar to what Cierra’s family asked in a statement posted on her Instagram Stories after the episode.
We’re not here to justify or ignore what’s surfaced. We understand why people are upset, and we know accountability matters. But what’s happening online right now has gone far beyond that. The threats. The cruel messages. The attacks on her family, her friends, even her supporters, it’s heartbreaking. It’s uncalled for. And no one deserves that kind of hate, no matter what mistake they’ve made.
her family wrote
They said Cierra will “take responsibility in her own time” once she gets her phone back and asked for “compassion” and “basic human decency” until then.
Source: PEOPLE