Love Island USA’s Amaya Espinal Breaks Silence on Cierra Ortega’s Exit

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Amaya “Papaya” Espinal is sharing what really happened when Cierra Ortega left Fiji.

Following the elimination of her fellow “Love Island USA” competitor due to a past social media post containing a racial slur against Asians, Amaya (the co-winner with Bryan Arenales) offered some insights on the events that unfolded.

During her interview with Alex Cooper on July 16, she shared that we began our day together. However, quite unexpectedly, Cierra vanished from us. The rest of us were left wondering, “Where has Cierra gone?

She went on to explain, ‘None of us had any inkling, and we missed our opportunity to bid farewell. We never saw her prepare to leave. It was all so sudden, it seemed more like a dream than reality.’

With the conclusion of season seven, the Islanders now have time to reflect on the numerous conflicts that arose during the season. Upon reviewing Cierra’s personal posts, Amaya expressed her hope that Cierra could grow and learn from this experience.

The 25-year-old emphasized, “I truly believe that words have significance and everyone deserves respect. I can only wish that she gains understanding from her actions, as she’s an adult, let’s hope this is a lesson learned for the future.

Regarding this matter, Nic Vansteenberghe, who ended things with Cierra right before she departed the villa, shared that he too was kept in the dark about the reasons behind her departure from the Peacock dating program.

On the July 15 episode of “Chicks in the Office”, the young woman reminisced that it had been an ordinary day, as if straight out of a routine. She merely departed, presumably due to a private matter or something similar.

At one point, Nic, who finished as runner-up alongside Olandria Carthen in the competition, briefly thought about leaving the villa with her. However, after careful consideration, he realized that he lacked enough information to confidently make such a decision.

In simpler terms, he said that he had private conversations with himself, considering how events outside might influence people’s perceptions of his support for them. As such, he chose to remain inside the villa.

He stated, “I’m emerging now to understand its nature and if its principles align with mine. Now, I’ll have a clearer understanding of it.

For more behind-the-scenes details from Love Island USA, keep reading.

Each day, footage from 85 hidden cameras is accumulated, which later needs to be edited down into a one-hour broadcast.

In other words, they operate by swiftly transforming Monday’s footage into the next day’s episode, and this process continues in a similar manner.

Fortunately, Fiji, the location for the initial season and where the series has been since Season 5, is 16 hours ahead of Eastern Time Zone. This means that if the team works late into the night, it’s still the previous day in the U.S., providing them with valuable extra hours to fine-tune the upcoming episode before airing.

As an over-the-moon fan, I can’t help but share this exciting insight: In 2024, the executive producer, Claudine Parrish, revealed to The Wrap that on our beloved island, events unfold in real time. Scenes are swiftly commissioned based on what transpires, and they’re labeled like, “The boys whip up a scrumptious breakfast for the girls.” Incredibly, just 15 minutes after an event happens, it’s seamlessly incorporated into our edits. The editor is then on a roll, transforming these moments into captivating scenes!

In other words, according to Parrish, it requires the collective effort of around 30 editors and 20 producers, along with a team that strategizes on what significant scenes and dialogues need to be stitched together to form a coherent storyline.

At times, Parrish acknowledged, not everything that appears intriguing leads somewhere significant. “Sometimes we miss the mark,” she admitted. “We’re constantly evaluating whether something is essential or if it will lose relevance by tomorrow.

On this program, it’s clear that breakfast plays a crucial role. The gentlemen responsible for serving meals and coffee to the ladies on Love Island USA have turned this daily routine into a global point of interest.

But what does everyone eat for lunch and dinner, you ask?

In a program that primarily centers on aspects other than the food itself, unless we’re dealing with underdone pancakes or a debut omelette, the edibles aren’t the main event, but they’re always there when needed.

Dani Dyer, the winner of Love Island UK season four, shared with HELLO! in 2021 that there were no menus on the show. Instead, it was self-catered, meaning each contestant had to prepare their own breakfast, which typically included items like eggs, bacon, and toast.

In the eighth season, Luca Bish admitted he wasn’t aware of the identity of the cook, stating on his TikTok in July 2023 that it was apparently a secret chef working off-site, and the meals were transported to the villa.

Instead of enjoying the food, Bish often stated that for both lunch and dinner, he had hummus and crisps.

Over the course of my observations, I’ve noticed an interesting tradition – men and women dine apart, generally speaking, with the exception of during dates.

As a devoted fan, I can tell you from my personal experience during Love Island UK season three, it was like dining with the school’s faculty but operating more like a well-oiled boarding school. Olivia Attwood, our beloved alumna, shared this fascinating insight with The Sun in 2022. When we sat down for meals, it felt as though they were assigning us chores such as cleaning our rooms or informing us about laundry day and asking for our breakfast preferences—all small tasks that contributed to maintaining the smooth functioning of the house.

And much like being on a jury, they’re not allowed to discuss the case among themselves.

Samuel Agbiji shared in an interview with Closer in 2024 that the eighth season was intense since, during meals, everyone wanted to discuss ongoing events, but they couldn’t due to filming restrictions.

It’s possible to think that being overly tipsy while flirting could be seen as acceptable, if not actively supported, but in this particular competition, each participant is allowed just one drink per night, and the drinks must be beer, wine, or champagne.

In her TikTok post on June 2024, Phoebe Siegel from the fourth season of Love Island USA expressed that the wine served at dinner wasn’t particularly generous.

During a festive occasion like the Casa Amor challenge victory celebration, where it seems like an open bar is available, Siegel stated that the drinks were noticeably diluted with water.

Iain Stirling juggles two roles, serving as the narrator for both “Love Island UK” and “Love Island USA”, and while shooting, he’s under a strict time constraint.

At 12 noon U.K. time, the Scottish comedian explained to TODAY in 2024, “I’d tune into Love Island UK.” By then, the show was almost over. After that, we’d work for about two or three hours. Finished by around 4:30 PM. Then I’d prepare my child’s dinner, help with bath time, and put them to bed – not exactly a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle. Following that, I’d grab some food and log onto Love Island USA at 8:30 PM, which is quite early in Fiji.

From the comfort of my own abode, I tune into a raw version of the upcoming masterpiece via Zoom, as Producer Parrish enlightens The Wrap. In this intimate setting, I, along with the brilliant minds behind the script, are immersed in noticing humorous elements within each scene or subtle reminders of the narrative’s unfolding events. These observations are captured not by a professional recording studio, but from my very own microphone at home.

The story he told was incorporated into the episode prior to it being submitted to Peacock’s legal and standards team, who occasionally request last-minute modifications.

In the conversation with TODAY, Stirling mentioned that we might wrap up between 12 and 1 in the early hours of the morning. He further added that he’d keep awake till around 2:30 AM, which means the U.S. broadcast would still be ongoing at that time. If I could live my ideal life, I’d stay awake until 5 or 6 AM, but that would mean sacrificing sleep entirely.

Evidence of an enduring connection within the franchise: In 2020, Stirling tied the knot with Laura Whitmore, who previously hosted Love Island UK, and in March 2021, they were blessed with a baby girl.

The music on “Love Island USA” – starting with Janelle Monae’s “Make Me Feel,” continuing to the show’s theme song “From Fiji With Love” by The Daniel Pemberton TV Orchestra, and including various pop songs in between – creates a distinct atmosphere or mood throughout the series.

During my first viewing of ‘Love Island UK’, I was struck by a realization: it elevates reality storytelling to a new level with the clever use of personal pop songs within the TV narrative. This concept left me amazed and eager to work on ‘Love Island’ myself, as expressed in an interview with Rolling Stone in June 2025.

Instead of choosing songs spontaneously to suit a particular situation, a music clearance company plans well in advance to acquire the necessary licenses for tracks by artists such as Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, and Olivia Rodrigo months before they are required to be used.

In simpler terms, Barker said that they produce a large number of songs, ranging from hundreds to thousands, as they can’t predict the direction the story will take. For instance, one song might be ideal for someone breaking up or another might serve perfectly as a first-kiss track when such moments occur.

Interestingly enough, the residents on the island are unable to enjoy music within their living quarters. This is due to potential complications with copyright clearance, as well as the challenge it poses for hidden recording equipment to capture clear conversations amidst background noise from music.

In specific situations like competitions, slow-motion dance events, or when stepping into a taxi for a date with music playing, there can be instances where songs are experienced in real time rather than being played later.

To make sure the women always look flawless on camera, the production team offers makeup and skincare products in the house for their use. While they are welcome to bring their own items, any brand labels on personal belongings will be concealed during post-production.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: “Every couple of weeks, I find myself seeking the expertise of professionals for my more intricate grooming needs. Just like Lucie Dolan from ‘Love Island UK’ season five shared with Capital FM in 2021, I too understand the importance of self-care when long hours take a toll. The nights can stretch out, and while it may not be evident to others, they feel longer than they seem. So, I make sure to schedule a day off, a chance to unwind and recharge.

On their days off between shows, I, a devoted admirer, can’t help but share that the ex-host Whitmore confided in OK! magazine about their meticulous beauty routine. They mentioned that when there’s no show to be seen, they take time to refresh their lush eyelashes and pristine acrylic nails.

In earlier times, inhabitants needed to travel elsewhere, however, today’s production can’t let the participants roam in the wilderness while shooting the show.

According to Whitmore, it seems that in the initial season, they stepped out of the villa to visit a salon for a hairdo, but given the magnitude of the show now, they can’t do that anymore. Instead, someone comes to them to touch up their roots.

Producers say they’re perfectly content to ride the waves of romance.

In an interview with The Wrap in 2024, Love Island USA executive producer Ben Thursby-Palmer explained their approach to the show’s dynamics. When the contestants are content within their couples, there’s no necessity for recoupling. However, if everyone is sleeping in separate beds throughout the villa, it signals a need for change and rearrangement.

In a YouTube video posted in April 2023, Samie Elishi from Love Island UK season nine stated that the show wasn’t improvised entirely, but producers did encourage participants to interact with each other or engage in conversations that might be crucial for the show. However, the content of these interactions was ultimately up to the individuals involved.

Communication devices like phones are provided to the island residents, allowing them to make calls and send messages, take pictures, and receive notifications about future events which can then be announced audibly.

Liana Isadora Van Riel, from Love Island UK season two, mentioned to The Sun in 2019 that these simple phones provided for texting are seldom utilized. She explained they’re mainly present for the ‘I received a text’ drama.

In another scenario, Love Island USA’s Siegel pointed out on TikTok that contestants can’t search online, can’t watch television, can’t use their social media accounts, and can’t communicate with anyone outside the program.

In keeping with the longstanding custom of impartial hosts in reality competition shows, Love Island USA‘s presenter Ariana Madix must feign indifference as she watches the events unfold.

In her conversation with The Wrap in 2024, she acknowledged, “At times it’s challenging because I feel the urge to join in, but as a host, I need to maintain some neutrality, especially when they’re around.

Simultaneously, she intervened during the elimination of Andrea Carmona in season six, and Rob Rausch spontaneously declared he would depart along with her. However, Madix tactfully suggested he rethink his decision, and in the end, he chose to stay.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d always advise taking a step back before making significant decisions, especially during emotionally charged moments. In this situation, I found myself torn between my instincts and the situation at hand. A part of me felt like testing his intentions since I wasn’t fully convinced he was ready to depart.

Madix pointed out that no cameramen were visible to the islanders during filming. While cameras were placed all over the villa, cameramen could move around behind walls with sliders. The islanders usually didn’t notice the cameramen, and there weren’t any hidden areas in the house where conversations might be considered private, so even seemingly secret discussions weren’t truly confidential.

A hidden location devoid of cameras: As shared by Love Island UK’s Elishi, it’s the kitchen pantry where tasty treats are stored. In her April 2023 video, she mentioned that this area permits just one individual at a time, due to past incidents involving couples in the pantry before.

A number of participants from the popular reality show “Love Island UK” have disclosed that branded condoms for the series are strategically positioned around the villa and are refilled whenever they run out.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t wait to catch up on all the action that has unfolded so far in the series before the game-changing moments arrive. So, I plan to tune in and rewatch the episodes to get fully up-to-date!

In a 2023 episode of her podcast, “Chloe vs. The World,” Chloe Burrows (from Love Island UK) shared that she only watches episodes after she’s already entered the villa and then selects her top three favorite islanders from among those currently there.

While the cameras never stop filming, the contestants do get one day off a week to just hang out.

This rule implies that conversations during meals should avoid gossip or disagreements, as they should be postponed till the following day. Additionally, because they don’t have assigned days off together, male and female companions cannot sleep in the same bed on their individual off-days.

In 2017, during an interview with Britain’s This Morning, Kem Cetinay from Love Island UK’s third season explained that when microphones are removed, discussions about the show are off-limits. However, they can still chat among themselves, but the production team is cautious about what topics they discuss to ensure that everything is captured on video for viewers at home to see. Essentially, it’s a break from the intense games, dates, and relationship decisions.

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2025-07-16 18:50