Love Island’s Cierra Breaks Silence on Nic & Olandria’s Relationship

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Cierra Ortega is leaving her Love Island USA romance in the past.

Two weeks following her dismissal from the Peacock reality series due to past usage of a racial slur, which led her partner Nic Vansteenberghe to subsequently pair up with fellow Islander Olandria Carthen, the 25-year-old expressed her genuine emotions regarding their relationship.

Cierra commented on an Instagram video from her vacation in Greece, saying, ‘You seem more joyful.’ She replied, ‘I’m feeling happier because I recently booked a trip to Mykonos. After surviving the negative portrayal on reality TV, I realized the man wasn’t genuinely interested in me and had actually preferred my friend all along.’

To reinforce her argument, the video was accompanied by audio playing, “I hadn’t even had a chance to end things with him, yet he’s moved on to another woman.

After leaving Fiji during the July 6 episode of the dating show, Cierra has acknowledged and taken responsibility for her contentious behavior, and she’s also asked fans to avoid involving her personal acquaintances in the situation.

She expressed in a July 9 Instagram video that what has been incredibly challenging is the manner people are treating her family. “They’ve had Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) called on them, making my family feel unsafe in their own home,” she stated. “I’m receiving threats of death – I don’t believe in responding to hate with more hate. I think that’s not justice.

She went on to say, “What was said certainly warranted a consequence, and that consequence has most definitely been met. I must admit, the reaction has been tough to handle, but I can see how people might be puzzled as to why I would’ve made such a statement in the first place.

Speaking for himself, Nic explained his reason for choosing not to depart the villa with Cierra when they were both in the finale together.

On the office show’s episode from July 15, the 24-year-old reminisced that it was an ordinary day. She had departed for some kind of private matter or a similar situation.

In the end, he concluded that there wasn’t enough information available for him to confidently make a decision from which he couldn’t back out.

He mentioned that he needed time to reflect, consider hidden aspects, and even have internal discussions. Additionally, he realized that remaining silent might imply agreement with external events he didn’t support. Therefore, he chose to stay within the villa for more contemplation.

He stated, “I’m emerging now to understand its true nature and whether my beliefs align with what it represents. This way, I can gain a clearer understanding of it.

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

Each day, an abundance of video footage is captured by 85 concealed cameras, which eventually needs to be edited down into a one-hour program.

However, they work by expediting the process. Editors will use footage from Monday and quickly transform it into an episode for the next day, and this pattern continues.

Fortunately, Fiji (the location for the first season and current setting since season five) is 16 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. This time difference means that when the team works late into the night, it’s still the previous day in the U.S., providing them with valuable additional hours to polish the upcoming episode meticulously.

In 2024, Claudine Parrish, executive producer, explained to The Wrap that on the island, people awaken to find scenes being prepared for broadcast by the control room based on real events. For instance, they might title them ‘Boys preparing breakfast for girls.’ Remarkably, just 15 minutes after an event occurs, it’s incorporated into the edits. The editor then works swiftly to transform these moments into a finished scene.

A collaborative effort is required: Parrish noted that approximately 30 editors and 20 producers work together, with a story team determining which significant events and dialogues should be combined to create a more comprehensive tale.

At times, Parrish acknowledged, not everything that appears intriguing leads to something substantial. “We don’t always hit the mark,” she stated. “We’re constantly weighing whether something is significant or will become irrelevant in a day.

On this program, it’s clear that breakfast plays a significant role as the key meal. The chefs responsible for cooking meals and brewing coffee for the women in Love Island USA have turned this routine into a globally intriguing spectacle.

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

In this context, though the edible part itself may not be the main focus (except for burnt pancakes or a maiden attempt at an omelette), it’s always accessible when needed.

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

In a TikTok post from July 2023, Luca Bish, contestant of season eight, expressed his surprise over who was doing the cooking, describing them as “an enigmatic chef hidden somewhere in the field,” and mentioned that the meals were delivered to the villa.

Instead of enjoying the food, Bish often found himself saying that for his lunches and dinners, he was eating hummus and crisps.

Throughout various competitions, it has been disclosed that the male and female participants dine separately most of the time, with exceptions only during the date occasions.

Olivia Attwood from Love Island UK’s third season explained to The Sun in 2022 that the experience was similar to dining with the producers but functioning like a boarding school. During meals, it felt as though they were being instructed about cleaning chores, upcoming laundry days, and planning breakfasts, all tasks contributing to maintaining a well-organized household.

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

Samuel Agbiji, a contestant from season eight, expressed in an interview with Closer in 2024 that the experience was intense. “It was challenging,” he said, “because while eating, you’d naturally want to discuss current events, but you couldn’t due to the impact it would have on filming.

It’s possible you could think that being overly tipsy while being flirtatious wouldn’t necessarily be discouraged, but in this particular setting, contestants are restricted to having just one alcoholic beverage each night, and the options are limited to beer, wine, or sparkling drinks.

In response to being asked about her preference for red or white wine during dinner, Phoebe Siegel from Love Island USA’s fourth season stated on a June 2024 TikTok that she wouldn’t get a “large serving.

During celebrations like those following a victory in the Casa Amor challenge, where it seems like an open bar is available, Siegel stated that the drinks were actually significantly diluted with water.

As a devoted admirer, I find myself shoulder-to-shoulder with Iain Stirling, juggling dual roles as the storyteller for both the British and American versions of Love Island – quite a feat! And to make things even more challenging, he manages all this while keeping a strict production schedule during filming.

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. We’d write for two or three hours after that, wrapping up around 4:30 PM. Then it was time for my child’s dinner, bath, and bedtime – not as glamorous as rock ‘n’ roll, but that was my routine. Afterward, I’d grab some food and log onto Love Island USA at 8:30 PM, which is quite early if you consider Fiji time.

At home, Stirling watches a preliminary version of the film over Zoom, as Parrish, the executive producer, explained to The Wrap. He and the writers are simply noting amusing elements within the scene or reminders of previous story events, which they record from their homes using their microphones.

The account is incorporated into the episode prior to its submission for review by Peacock’s legal and standards department, who may occasionally suggest last-minute adjustments.

Stirling mentioned to TODAY that we might wrap up around 12 or 1 AM. He then added he might stay awake until half past 3 – a time when the show is still ongoing in the U.S. In an ideal scenario, he’d keep going till 5 or 6 AM, but that would mean no sleep for him.

Demonstrating an eternal connection through marriage, I’m referring to the franchise here: In 2020, Stirling tied the knot with the former host of Love Island UK, Laura Whitmore, and in March 2021, they were blessed with a baby girl.

The music on “Love Island USA,” ranging from Janelle Monae’s “Make Me Feel” to the theme song “From Fiji With Love” by The Daniel Pemberton TV Orchestra and the various pop songs in between, truly sets the show’s tone and creates an overall mood.

For the first time watching Love Island UK, I was struck by its unique blend of reality and storytelling, enhanced by personal connections to popular songs. This was my immediate thought during a June 2025 interview with Rolling Stone, as executive producer James Barker expressed. The idea that more shows should emulate this format and my curiosity about working on Love Island were both sparked at that moment.

In contrast to choosing songs on the spot for a given situation, a music clearance company prepares months in advance to secure licenses for popular tracks from artists such as Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, and Olivia Rodrigo well before they’re required.

In other words, Barker stated, “We constantly create hundreds, if not thousands of songs, since we can’t predict where the narrative will lead. For instance, a particular song might become ideal for someone breaking up with someone else, or another could turn out to be perfect for that first kiss when it happens.

Interestingly enough, the residents on this island find themselves unable to enjoy music within their living space. This is due to complex issues related to permissions, as well as the potential complication of overhearing conversations if music were playing, which might interfere with the secret recording devices.

In some instances, songs played live may include situations like taking part in specific challenges, experiencing a slowed-down dance gathering, or even when stepping into a taxi for a date with the driver’s tunes playing.

To always make the women feel confidently styled for the camera, the production offers makeup and skincare products within the premises. They’re welcome to bring their own as well, but any identifiable brand labels on their personal items will be concealed during post-processing.

In my experience, every couple of weeks I make sure to take some time off for a little pampering session, since the extended periods inside can be quite demanding. The evenings seem endless, and it’s not always apparent how long they are, so having a relaxation day is essential.

On their days off from hosting, when there’s no show, as Whitmore shared with OK!, they often get their eyelashes and acrylic nails re-done.

In earlier times, island residents had to travel to other places, however, today’s production of the show cannot allow its participants to be out in nature while filming is taking place.

According to Whitmore, it seems that in the initial season, they ventured out of the villa for a salon appointment to get their hair styled. However, given the size and demands of the show now, they’re unable to leave, so instead, someone comes to them to touch up their roots at the villa.

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

As an ardent fan, I can’t help but echo the words of Love Island USA executive producer Ben Thursby-Palmer. In 2024, he shared with The Wrap that we, the viewers, follow the unfolding drama in the villa in real time. When everyone is content within their couples, there seems to be little purpose in recoupling.

However, if the contestants are scattered across different beds throughout the villa, it’s clear that something needs to change. We need to shake things up and bring them back together again.

In a YouTube video posted in April 2023, Love Island UK season nine alum Samie Elishi stated that the show wasn’t improvised entirely. He explained that while producers didn’t force interactions or arguments, they did encourage conversations between couples or those involved in disputes. However, the content of these discussions was left to the participants’ discretion.

The production equips the islanders with devices for communication, such as making calls and sending messages, taking pictures, and receiving updates on future events which can be announced verbally.

In a 2019 interview with The Sun, Love Island UK season two participant Liana Isadora Van Riel stated that the contestants are given simple phones primarily for sending texts to each other, but these phones seldom see actual use. Instead, they mainly serve as part of the ‘I’ve got a text’ plotline.

Alternatively, as Siegel from Love Island USA stated on TikTok, “There’s no internet browsing, no television watching, no social media access, and no texting anyone beyond the show.

In line with the customary role of mediators in reality TV competitions, Ariana Madix, the host of Love Island USA, must feign indifference towards the events she oversees.

She shared with The Wrap in 2024 that it can be challenging because there are moments when she feels the urge to join in, but as a moderator, I need to maintain some neutrality, especially when they’re around.

Meanwhile, during the sixth season, she did express her thoughts when Andrea Carmona was eliminated, and Rob Rausch spontaneously mentioned that he would quit along with her. However, Madix kindly suggested he rethink his decision, which eventually led him to stay put.

Madix pointed out that it might not be wise to make such a significant decision during an intense emotional period. Additionally, there was a part of him that suspected the other person might be bluffing since he didn’t genuinely believe they intended to depart.

Madix pointed out that no cameramen are visible to the islanders, as they operate behind walls with movable sliders. The entire villa is under surveillance by cameras, except for the usual suspects like bathrooms. So, it seems like private conversations in hidden corners aren’t really so private.

A secluded location devoid of cameras: The kitchen pantry, as per Elishi from Love Island UK’s claims, is where the snacks are kept. She mentioned in her April 2023 video that only one person can be there at a time due to past incidents involving couples, stating, “There were some occurrences in the pantry with a couple prior.

Numerous participants on Love Island UK have mentioned that branded condoms for the show are strategically placed across the villa, with more being supplied whenever needed.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t wait to catch up on all the thrilling action that has unfolded thus far in the series before the bombshell events may shake things up. So, I’m eagerly anticipating the opportunity to rewatch the show and get myself ready for whatever twists and turns lie ahead!

Chloe Burrows, a surprise guest on “Love Island UK”, revealed during an April 2023 episode of her podcast titled “Chloe vs. The World”, that she only watches each episode except for the one broadcasted prior to her arrival. Subsequently, she shares her top three favorite islanders among those already in the villa.

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

This implies that during off-days, rules similar to mealtimes apply: no discussing sensitive matters or engaging in arguments, as these should be postponed till the following day. Additionally, because there’s no designated dating arrangement on their days off, they cannot sleep together in the same bed at night.

As a contestant from Love Island UK’s third season, Kem Cetinay shared in 2017 during an interview with This Morning that when microphones are removed, we’re not permitted to discuss anything related to the show. We can still engage in conversations, but they have to be careful about what topics we delve into since everything needs to be recorded for viewers at home. It essentially serves as a break from all the intense games, dates, and the process of deciding who we fancy and don’t fancy.

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2025-07-20 22:48