In this op-ed, writer Kaila Yu, the author of Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty, argues that Love Island USA season 7’s apparent removal of Cierra Ortega due to her past usage of an anti-Asian slur is exposing how much of the general public is still dismissive of anti-Asian hate.

Love Island host Ariana Madix had also reacted to the row after a viewer accused her of ‘staying silent’ on the matter. The Vanderpump Rules star wrote on social media: “Not silent. You don’t know what your talking about.” However, this was before Ortega's exit from the villa.