Will Love Island’s Cierra Ortega Be at the Season 7 Reunion? She Says…

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Cierra Ortega won’t be rejoining her fellow islanders.

In a recent Q&A session on TikTok, Love Island USA contestant Cierra expressed that she won’t be attending the post-season tell-all scheduled for August 25th. She stated, “At present, I will not be at the reunion.” She added, “I feel relieved now that my viewpoint, thoughts, feelings, and emotions have been shared and are out in the open.

Instead of sharing the story on social media, a 25-year-old woman expressed that uploading her videos marked the initial move towards closing and leaving behind a significant phase in her life.

Instead of avoiding accountability for her previous questionable social media comments, she openly acknowledged them by saying, “I must face the consequences of my past mistakes, as they indeed led to negative outcomes.

Although Cierra was eliminated from the Fiji villa on day 26, she highlighted that her experience on the show, where she spent time with contestant Nic Vansteenberghe, was extremely transformative for her.

Reflecting on the experience, she realized how extraordinary it had been in countless wonderful ways. The moments, the joy, the connections made within the walls of that villa were treasures she would cherish forever – memories no one could ever rob her of. It was an education like none other.

Besides answering that pressing question for ‘Love Island’ enthusiasts, it was also revealed that Cierra had been summoned for a conversation with a producer, during which she learned she would need to depart from the show.

She clarified that the conversations were typical, happening multiple times a day. However, this particular one stood out as it seemed unusual. They directly informed her that certain posts on her social media platforms didn’t conform with their principles or those of the network. As a result, they had no other option but to dismiss her from the program.

At the time, she recalled, it was a lot to process.

‘No.’ With things coming to an end and no closure in sight, my heart yearned for a final goodbye.

Though she acknowledged that the discussion was heavy with sadness and emotion, she underscored that it was a highly charged situation that everyone sensed.

(We’ve attempted to reach TopMob News for comments but haven’t received a response yet.)

For more behind-the-scenes secrets from Love Island USA, read on.

Every day, I’m tasked with sifting through an abundance of video footage captured by 85 hidden cameras, eventually condensing it into a compelling hour-long episode.

However, they operate by swiftly transforming Monday’s footage into Tuesday’s episode, and this process continues in the same fast-paced manner.

Fortunately, Fiji – the location for the first season and where production has been since season five – is 16 hours ahead of the East Coast. This means that a late-night finish translates to it still being the previous day’s morning in the U.S., providing the team with additional hours during the day to perfect the new episode.

In 2024, executive producer Claudine Parrish explained to The Wrap that the islanders would rise, and real-life events would prompt the control room to create scenes. These scenes were often labeled descriptively, such as ‘Boys preparing breakfast for girls.’ Remarkably, only fifteen minutes after an event occurred, it was edited and transformed into a scene by the editor.

It takes a whole community: Parrish explained that approximately 30 editors and 20 producers work together, with a story team deciding on the important moments and dialogues to combine and create a bigger storyline.

As an ardent admirer, I must confess that occasionally, what initially appears captivating doesn’t necessarily lead anywhere. “Sometimes,” Parrish acknowledges, “our best intentions don’t always pan out.” She further elaborates, “We’re constantly grappling with the question: ‘Is this significant or will it be overshadowed by tomorrow’s discovery?'” It’s a delicate dance between anticipation and reality.

On this program, it’s clearly evident that breakfast plays a crucial role. With the gentlemen responsible for serving both meals and coffee to the women on Love Island USA, it has sparked global intrigue.

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

In this context, even though the food itself may not be the main focus of the program, it’s always present and accessible when needed, unless we’re dealing with undercooked pancakes or someone’s first omelet attempt.

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 self-catering, meaning contestants had to prepare their own meals. For breakfast, they usually had options like eggs, bacon, and toast.

In a TikTok post dated July 2023, Luca Bish from season eight admitted he didn’t know who prepared the meals, describing the chef as a “mysterious figure out in the field somewhere.” He further mentioned that the food was delivered to the villa.

Instead of enjoying the food, Bish often expressed that for both his lunch and dinner meals, he usually had hummus and crisps.

Over time, various participants have disclosed that they dine apart as males and females, but they come together during dates.

Olivia Attwood from Love Island UK’s third season shared with The Sun in 2022 that it feels like they dine with the producers, but it operates much like a boarding school. During meals, it’s as if they are being instructed about cleaning chores or given reminders about laundry and asked to plan their breakfast for the next day – all simple tasks contributing to the smooth running of the household.

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

Samuel Agbiji expressed in 2024 that “It was challenging,” he told Closer, “since during meals, one naturally wants to discuss ongoing events, but cannot due to its impact on the filming process.

It’s possible you could think that having too many drinks for flirting purposes is at least tolerated, if not actively promoted. However, in this specific scenario, each contestant is allowed just a single drink per night, and the options are restricted to beer, wine, or champagne only.

In response to being asked about her choice between red or white wine at dinner on TikTok in June 2024, Phoebe Siegel of Love Island USA’s fourth season stated that the serving would not be “generous” or “plentiful”.

During occasions like a Casa Amor challenge victory celebration where it seems like an open bar is available, Siegel mentioned that the drinks were actually quite diluted or weakened.

Iain Stirling juggles two jobs, serving as the storyteller for both “Love Island UK” and “Love Island USA.” While shooting these shows, he’s required to maintain a strict timetable.

At 12 in the afternoon (UK time), the Scottish comedian shared with TODAY in 2024 that he’d tune into Love Island UK. By then, the show was almost over. After that, we’d work for about two to three hours. We’d usually wrap up by around 4:30 PM. Then I’d prepare my child’s dinner, help with bath time and bedtime – not as glamorous as I’d hoped, but that was my routine. Afterward, I’d grab a bite to eat and then log onto Love Island USA at 8:30 PM, which is quite early in Fiji.

At home, Stirling watches a preliminary version of the film over Zoom. As Parrish, the executive producer, informed The Wrap, Stirling and the writers are simply noting amusing elements within the scene or recollections of the storyline that get recorded on his personal microphone at home.

The account he gives is incorporated into the episode prior to it being submitted for review by Peacock’s legal and standards department, who may occasionally suggest modifications at the last minute.

In response to TODAY, Stirling mentioned that we might wrap up around midnight or 1 am. He also shared that he’d keep going until nearly 3 am – though that’s still not the end for U.S. viewers. Ideally, he’d stay awake till 5 or 6 am, but that would mean no sleep at all for him.

Demonstrating the long-lasting nature of the franchise, Stirling tied the knot with ex-host of Love Island UK, Laura Whitmore, in the year 2020. Their bond deepened further when they became parents to a baby girl in March 2021.

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 various other pop tunes in between, creates a distinct atmosphere.

In his interview with Rolling Stone in June 2025, Love Island USA executive producer James Barker expressed his awe at seeing Love Island UK for the first time. He felt it was a significant leap in reality storytelling, especially when personal connections to popular songs were integrated into a TV narrative. This experience sparked two immediate thoughts: “Wow, this is fantastic, and more shows should emulate this format.” And secondly, he pondered on how he could contribute to Love Island.

Instead of hastily choosing songs for a specific moment, a music clearance company prepares and secures the rights to songs from artists such as Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, and Olivia Rodrigo months in advance, ensuring they are legally available when required.

We constantly prepare a large number of songs, ranging from hundreds to thousands, as we can’t predict where the narrative will lead. So, we might think, ‘This tune could make a fantastic breakup anthem someday,’ or ‘This one would be ideal for when someone experiences their first kiss.'” (Barker)

It’s interesting to note that despite living on an island, the residents of the villa are unable to enjoy music due to complications related to licensing and clearances, and also because loud music could interfere with the hidden recording equipment capturing their conversations clearly.

In some cases, tunes you hear in real life may not follow the usual rules, for instance, when participating in specific contests, engaging in a leisurely slow-motion dance event, or finding yourself in a taxi heading out on a date with your favorite tune playing.

To make sure the female cast members always look their best on camera, the production offers makeup and skincare supplies within the premises. However, feel free to bring your personal products too! Just note that any identifiable brand names on your personal items will be concealed during post-production editing.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but share my admiration for the islanders’ glamorous looks on Love Island UK. Every few weeks, I imagine myself stepping into their shoes, indulging in some well-deserved self-care. “Behind the scenes,” as Lucie Dolan shared with Capital FM in 2021, “I’d have nail and hair appointments to keep up appearances.” The long nights on the island might not be visible to viewers, but I can only imagine how exhausting they must be. So, just like Lucie, I know the importance of taking a break and relaxing during those down days.

On their free Saturdays, when they’re not performing, ex-host Whitmore shared with OK! that “they usually have their eyelash extensions and acrylic nails reapplied.

In the past, residents had to travel to other places, but currently, the production of the show cannot allow contestants to be in the wild while filming is ongoing.

It seems that, initially in the first season, they stepped out of the villa to get their hair styled at a salon. However, given the magnitude of the show now, they can no longer do this, so instead, someone comes to them to touch up their roots. (Whitmore’s statement)

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

In simple terms, “Love Island USA” executive producer Ben Thursby-Palmer explained to The Wrap in 2024 that they adapt to the current situations within the villa as they happen. If everyone is content in their pairs, there’s no need for recoupling. However, if everyone is sleeping separately throughout the villa, they have to mix things up and rearrange the couples.

According to Samie Elishi from Love Island UK’s ninth season, who spoke in a YouTube video in April 2023, the show wasn’t scripted at all. However, he added that if producers didn’t prompt us to chat with our couples or someone we were having an argument with, then there wouldn’t be a show. Producers do encourage certain conversations, but what is discussed during those interactions is entirely up to the participants themselves.

Communication devices (phones) are provided to the island residents for making calls and sending messages, taking pictures, and receiving notifications about future events which can be broadcast audibly.

Liana Isadora Van Riel, from Love Island UK season two, explained to The Sun in 2019 that the phones provided are quite simple, mainly used for texting each other. However, they’re primarily included for the ‘I’ve received a text’ drama.

In my experience as an ardent fan, I, too, have come to realize that following the rules of Love Island USA is quite restrictive. As Siegel pointed out on TikTok, it’s not just a matter of turning off Google or the TV, but also being cut off from social media, unable to contact anyone outside the show.

In line with the long-standing role of mediators in reality TV competitions, Ariana Madix, the host of Love Island USA, must feign indifference towards the events she is overseeing.

In my role as a lifestyle guide, I often find myself torn between the desire to fully engage and the need for neutrality. As I shared with The Wrap back in 2024, there are moments when I yearn to dive headfirst into the conversation, but as a host, maintaining impartiality, especially in their presence, is crucial.

At the same time, she intervened during Andrea Carmona’s elimination in season six, and Rob Rausch spontaneously expressed his intent to depart with her. However, Madix tactfully suggested that he rethink his decision, and as a result, he chose to remain.

Madix advised against making significant decisions during emotionally charged times, explaining that he also had a feeling of wanting to test him because he wasn’t convinced he truly intended to depart.

Madix, residing in a nearby hotel with a vantage point of the villa during filming, pointed out that no cameramen were visible among the islanders. Instead, cameras are strategically placed all around the villa. Moreover, there are movable walls with sliders, and cameramen hide behind these walls to capture shots. However, the islanders usually don’t notice the cameramen. The only areas that might be considered blind spots, like toilets or showers, aren’t the only places where conversations can seem private, as the house is under constant surveillance.

A secluded area without cameras: As mentioned by Elishi on Love Island UK in her April 2023 video, the kitchen pantry, where snacks are kept, that allows entry for only one person at a time, due to past events involving a couple occurring within it.

Numerous contestants on the popular reality show “Love Island UK” have disclosed that branded condoms for the show are scattered around the villa, with new supplies provided whenever needed.

Before the situations that could significantly change things occur, they are permitted to catch up on the events that have transpired by watching the show first.

In a 2023 episode of her podcast, “Chloe vs. The World”, bombshell Chloe Burrows from “Love Island UK” mentioned that she only watches each episode except the one that airs prior to her arrival on the show, and then shares her top three preferred 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 the dining room regulations still stand, such as avoiding gossip during meals and postponing disputes for another day. Additionally, because they don’t have specific days designated for dating, male and female participants cannot sleep in the same bed on their off-days.

During an interview on Britain’s This Morning in 2017, Kem Cetinay from Love Island UK’s third season explained that when contestants remove their microphones, they are not permitted to discuss anything related to the show. Essentially, it’s a break from the intense games, dates, and decisions about who they like or dislike, as the producers want to ensure everything is captured on video for viewers at home.

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2025-07-28 16:49