Belle-A Walker is breaking her silence following the controversy that led to fellow Love Island USA contestant Cierra Ortega being removed from Season 7 after past social media posts surfaced in which she used a racial slur targeting Asians.
During the July 6th episode of the Peacock reality dating series, narrator Iain Stirling informed viewers that Cierra had left the villa “due to a personal reason.” Her abrupt exit, which left her romantic connection, Nic Vansteenberghe, single and the rest of the villa confused, came after fans uncovered resurfaced posts in which the 24-year-old allegedly used an anti-Asian slur to describe her eyes while smiling and again about getting Botox.
Walker, whose mother is Filipina, became the first Islander to be dumped from the villa in episode 6 after Vansteenberghe recoupled with Cierra. Now, she’s using her platform to speak out on the controversy and to stand in solidarity with the Asian American community.
In a heartfelt Instagram statement shared after the episode aired, Belle-A expressed gratitude to Love Island USA producers for removing Cierra and taking a stand against racism.
“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,” she wrote. “When I first saw what my fellow Islander said on their social media pages, I was incredibly heartbroken.”
Walker explained that she initially withheld comment, hoping Ortega would take accountability once she exited the villa. However, as additional screenshots continued to surface, Belle-A said she made the decision to unfollow her former castmate.
“Asian hate is oftentimes overlooked and dismissed,” she continued. “But being a first-generation American, I have personally witnessed and experienced how real and hurtful comments like these are.”
In one of the resurfaced posts, dating back to January 2015, Ortega captioned a photo of herself smiling on top of a mountain with the slur. In another from February 2023, she reportedly used the same term while discussing her Botox results on Instagram. The backlash on social media was swift and intense, with many fans calling for Ortega’s removal just as they had for contestant Yulissa Escobar, who was axed in episode 2 after videos emerged of her using the N-word multiple times.
While Cierra has yet to publicly address her departure, her family issued a statement expressing sorrow over the situation and asking for compassion amid the fallout.
Still, Belle-A’s response struck a balance between advocacy and empathy, reminding fans that accountability doesn’t require cruelty.
“I do not condone bigotry or racism of any kind. But I also don’t condone hate either,” she wrote. “Please think twice before leaving unkind comments to or about this person. I love you all so much❤️”
As the season unfolds, Walker’s message has resonated with many viewers who appreciate her candor and compassion. And with her growing platform, she’s using her moment in the spotlight to call attention to anti-Asian racism, something she says is often minimized or ignored in public discourse.
“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?” she wrote.
