Love Island USA is nearing its big finale, and on the July 8 episode, viewers witnessed one of the most emotional exits of the season. As the final days of the competition approach, the remaining couples faced another twist when one more couple was sent home.
Before the episode aired, fans had the chance to vote for their favorite couple, as well as the couple they liked the least. As the episode came to an end, all the islanders gathered around the fire pit to find out which couples America had saved.
The Couples Saved by America
The first couples to be saved were Chelley Bissainthe and Ace Greene, followed by Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales. Iris Kendall and Pepe Garcia were also saved, and Huda Mustafa and Chris Seeley followed shortly after.
But the tension built up as it came down to two couples: Taylor Williams and Clarke Carraway, and Nic Vansteenberghe and Olandria Carthen, who had only just coupled up after Nic’s previous partner, Cierra Ortega, left the show due to a “personal situation.”
Despite their short time together, Nic and Olandria were safe, and Taylor and Clarke were officially eliminated from the villa.
A Heartfelt Goodbye
As Taylor and Clarke said their goodbyes, emotions were high. Clarke was hugged by the women, and with tears in his eyes, he told them, “Don’t make me cry, y’all.”
When it was time for the men to say goodbye to Taylor, Pepe told him, “I love you, bro,” while Ace became emotional, saying, “This s— hurts. You came here, did what you needed to do, and you found somebody that was meant for you.
Proud of you, man.” Taylor also shared a final moment with Ace and Nic, telling them, “What me and Clarke have is real. You know what I mean? I’m gonna miss y’all brothers.”
As the pair reflected on their time in the villa, Taylor said, “My Love Island experience was a damn near rollercoaster. When I spoke to Clarke for the first time, that spark and connection, we had something that I had never had before.
I can’t be too sad because that’s what I came here for, to find a connection, and I found it, and also I’m leaving with it.”
Clarke echoed his sentiments, adding, “Unfortunately, time wasn’t on our side. But that’s okay because we’re leaving together.”
The Shocking Exit of Cierra Ortega
The elimination of Taylor and Clarke follows the shocking departure of Cierra Ortega earlier in the season. Cierra’s exit came after controversial past social media posts resurfaced, showing racist language and slurs.
These posts, which included offensive remarks about Chinese people, led to her losing over 200,000 followers and caused a lot of online backlash. A petition was even created calling for her removal from the show.
In response to the situation, Cierra’s parents shared a statement on Instagram, expressing their heartbreak over the online hate their daughter had received. They acknowledged the mistakes but emphasized that no one deserved the cruel attacks on her or her family.
Meanwhile, her co-star Belle-A Walker praised the show’s producers for “taking a stand” against racism. This season also saw another exit with Yulissa Escobar, who left after using a racial slur in podcast appearances.
The emotional exit of Taylor and Clarke marked a major turning point in Love Island USA this season. While they may have left the villa, they left together, which was the connection they were hoping to find.
Meanwhile, the season has been filled with dramatic twists, including Cierra Ortega’s sudden departure after her controversial past came to light. As the show moves toward its finale, fans will be watching closely to see which couple takes home the grand prize.
