Love Island USA’s Belle-A Walker is breaking her silence after fellow contestant Cierra Ortegaexited the villa after a social media post of hers resurfaced online where she used an anti-Asian slur.
“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,” Walker shared via her Instagram Story on Sunday, July 6, after Ortega’s departure was announced during the latest episode.
“When I first saw what my fellow Islander said on their social media pages, I was incredibly heartbroken,” she continued. “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.”
“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.” Walker added.
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“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,” she wrote. “It is my hope that this situation can help shed light on how big of an issue anti-Asian hate actually is.”
“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,” she continued. “Because what good is this amazing platform God and you all have given me if I don’t use it to amplify the voices of my community?”
Walker ended her post, saying, “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.”
During the latest episode of Love Island USA, host Iain Stirling said, “Cierra has left the Villa due to a personal situation.” The show did not elaborate further on what exactly caused her abrupt departure.
As a result, Ortega’s love interest Nic Vansteenberghe was left single before eventually coupling up with Olandria Carthen.
Ortega’s departure comes after fans of the show demanded she be removed from the villa to be consistent with Yulissa Escobar‘s removal earlier in the season. Last month, Escobar was removed from the villa after podcast clips resurfaced online where she used the n-word several times.
