The sun may be setting on Season 7 of Love Island USA, but the drama is still blazing, especially off the island. Former contestant Cierra Ortega lit social media ablaze this weekend after referring to Huda Mustafa’s passionate fanbase as “Hudrats.”
Yes, really. And yes, people had things to say.
It Started With a Heartfelt Goodbye Post… Until the Comments Section Turned Wild
Cierra Ortega, who made waves in the villa but didn’t make it to the final four, took to Instagram this week to share a soft farewell to her Love Island USA journey. In the post, she wrote:
“people, moments, and memories I’ll cherish forever. this journey didn’t end the way I hoped, but there was real connection, love, and growth in these moments. there’s still so much more growing to do. and for that, I’ll always be grateful.”
Sweet. Reflective. Emotional.
But in the comments underneath that same post, she casually dropped the phrase that ignited a firestorm:
“before the #hudrats come for me for not tagging my girl… her IG isn’t allowing tags!! Please know @hudabubbaaa is my SISTER & the love I have for her is infinite.”
Yes, you read that right. #Hudrats.
She didn’t stop there. Cierra also addressed the show’s iconic friends-to-lovers duo:
“and for the #nicolandria nation… they are two people I care deeply for and absolutely adore. I’ve always wanted nothing but happiness for each of them in this experience. that has never & will never change.”
But social media wasn’t ready to move past the “Hudrats” comment just yet.
Twitter Is in Meltdown Mode Over “Hudrats”
The nickname whether affectionate, ironic, or completely misguided sparked a frenzy across platforms, with fans caught between cackling and cringing.
“Cierra calling the huda fans the hudrats LMAO +1 for her,” one person tweeted.
“Cierra calling huda fans hudrats LMAOOOOOOOOOOOO,” another tweeted.
“cierra calling huda fans hudrats on her ig.. she got a giggle out of me.”
Not everyone took it lightly, though:
“Cierra calling Huda fans ‘HudRats’ isn’t crazy? 💀 #LoveIslandUSA you would think after getting kicked out the villa that she’d had enough 😭”
And then, the comment that threw a little cold water on the joke:
“no but cierra calling them hudrats is taking me down 😭 here she go accidentally holding space for another slur.”
It’s unclear whether Ortega intended the label to be a light-hearted joke, a shade-laced jab, or a mix of both. What is clear is that “Hudrats” is now a viral moment with a life of its own.
What’s Actually Happening on Love Island USA Right Now?
While Cierra’s IG comment section is giving us reality TV aftercare, the actual show is barreling toward its climax.
The Season 7 finale airs Sunday, July 13 at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock, and only four couples remain in the running for America’s $100,000 sweethearts:
- Olandria and Nic
- Iris and Pepe
- Amaya and Bryan
- Huda and Chris
That last one, by the way, includes Ortega’s beloved “SISTER” Huda Mustafa, who now has an army of “Hudrats” watching her back, whether they claim the name proudly or want to burn it to the ground.
The Prize and the Stakes
The winning couple will walk away with $100,000, split evenly between them unless one partner shocks America and keeps it all. (Although that twist has never happened in the U.S. version, PEOPLE reports.)
But more than money is on the line. Social media fandoms have gone feral this season, especially around Huda and Chris’ slow-burn romance and the cult-like loyalty around Olandria and Nic.
And now, Cierra has managed to make herself the center of one last headline without even being in the finale.
