Overview

• Love Island USA producers removed Ortega from the Fiji villa on July 6 after old posts surfaced showing her use of an anti-Asian slur
• In an Instagram accountability video on July 9, Ortega apologized to the Asian community, accepted her removal as a deserved consequence, and committed to personal education
• Ahead of the July 13 season finale, she shared Instagram photos recalling meaningful moments on the show and expressing gratitude for her experience
• Ortega publicly endorsed her former partner’s new bond by praising Nic Vansteenberghe and Olandria Carthen’s recoupling and wishing them happiness
• The controversy has reignited calls for Peacock and NBC to enforce stricter contestant vetting and clearer conduct guidelines