Overview

• Ortega’s exit was announced during Episode 30 on July 6 after old social media posts surfaced showing her use of an anti-Asian slur.
• She is the second Season 7 contestant removed over racist language, following Yulissa Escobar’s ejection in Episode 2 for N-word usage.
• The controversy prompted Ortega to lose more than 200,000 Instagram followers, spurred petitions for her removal and led producers to hold undisclosed crisis meetings.
• Ortega’s parents released a statement appealing for compassion and denouncing the threats and hate messages directed at their daughter and her supporters.
• Nic Vansteenberghe was declared single and quickly recoupled with Olandria Carthen even as viewers and former islanders demand clearer transparency and tougher vetting from Peacock.