It looks like Cierra Ortega finally got her phone back. The Love Island USA star just broke her silence after having to exit the villa for using racial slurs online. She’s the second person this season to meet this fate, and now, she’s trying to own up to her actions. Cue the apology!
Love Island USA alum Cierra Ortega makes a statement after leaving the villa
As a reminder, Cierra used anti-Asian slurs in a series of resurfaced social media posts. During the July 6 episode of Love Island USA, they announced her removal from the villa due to a “personal situation.” Of course, that situation was the building pressure coming from the outraged Love Island fans.
Since then, we’ve heard statements from Cierra’s real-life friends, her fellow Islanders, and even her parents. On the evening of Wednesday, July 8, Cierra uploaded a post to her Instagram page addressing the backlash. Just like most people who are caught using racial slurs, Cierra now claims she didn’t know better.
“I want to first start by addressing, not just anyone that I have hurt or deeply offended, but most importantly, the entire Asian community,” Cierra began in the video.
She continued, “I am deeply, truly, honestly, so sorry. I had no idea that the word held as much pain as much harm, and came with the history that it did, or I never would have used it. I had no ill intention when I was using it. But that’s absolutely no excuse, because intent doesn’t excuse ignorance,” she continued.
In the video, Cierra made sure to mention multiple times that she had “no idea’ that the anti-Asian slur she kept using was offensive. She also shared a bit of background on one of the resurfaced posts. According to her, a follower called her out on it back in 2024 when she originally posted it.
“In that moment, I was embarrassed,” she recalled. “I, of course, immediately deleted the post. I was apologetic, and I educated not only myself on the true meaning and history of the word, but also anyone around me who was accidentally holding space for this slur.”
Elsewhere in the video, Cierra discussed how difficult the backlash has been for her and her family to navigate. She said Love Island USA fans reported her family to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is insane if true. With that in mind, Cierra is hopeful that fans will accept her apology and let her grow from the experience.
“I know that moving forward, my actions and how I decide to live my life from here on out, is going to speak louder than any apology ever could,” Cierra said. “But I do need it to be known that I am sorry, and I did mean no harm.”
Love Island USA airs at 9/8c on Peacock every night but Wednesday.
TELL US – WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON CIERRA’S STATEMENT? DO YOU THINK FANS ARE BEING TOO HARSH ON HER?
