Love Island USA‘s Cierra Ortega, who was removed from the villa after posts of her using a racial slur resurfaced, has issued an apology for her actions and claims ICE was called on her family in retaliation. Cierra, who joined Love Island USA season 7 as one of the season’s bombshells, was removed from the villa this week after problematic posts were highlighted by fans.
In her apology, Cierra shares that she “was very naively using an incredibly offensive and derogatory term” and apologized to anyone she hurt, specifically issuing an apology to the Asian community. Explaining she “had no idea that the word held as much pain as much harm [as it did],” Cierra was clear that she was holding herself accountable for using the term.
Continuing on, Cierra addressed the onslaught of hate she’s received after the posts resurfaced, sharing that she feels “there’s no need to fight hate with hate,” especially in the manner fans have gone to show their anger. Claiming that ICE has been called on her family and they don’t “feel safe in their own home,” Cierra asked for Love Island USA viewers to stand down.
Going on to explain that the screenshots revealing her use of the slur and the conversation with followers who informed her it was inappropriate had been doctored, she shared the actual conversation she had with the person who called her out in 2024. Despite the correction, Cierra apologized profusely and said her actions moving forward would demonstrate her true nature.
What Love Island USA’s Cierra’s Apology Means For Her Future Career
She Took Accountability In A Genuine Way
While Cierra was clear that some of the proof that Love Island USA fans had dug up about her past use of the racial slur was doctored, she didn’t dwell on the issue as she moved through her genuine, well-thought-out apology. Cierra explained that after being called out for the use of the slur in the past, she changed her behavior immediately.
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Cierra shared that though she’d been hurt by the backlash, she understood that the hurt she’d caused others was deeper and more profound, focusing her apology on actually apologizing rather than deflecting the issue. Unlike her Love Island USA season 7 castmate Yulissa Escobar, Cierra took genuine accountability for her behavior. She even praised Love Island USA for removing her from the show.
While Cierra’s behavior is a difficult thing to move through, it’s clear that she feels genuinely troubled over the hurt she’s caused and understands the deep roots of the issue at hand. With her apology, Cierra proved that she can move forward with renewed empathy, understanding, and caution for the things she says in public and private spaces, which is a positive.
Our Take On Cierra Ortega’s Apology To Love Island USA Fans
She Was Thorough, Accountable, & Genuine
Although it’s in the hands of the Asian community to formally accept Cierra’s apology, it was overall a thorough, genuine apology that proved she’s taken accountability for her actions. With Cierra briefly mentioning her family’s terrifying reality, she did make it clear that she wants things to settle down, but didn’t focus on herself or her pain.
Instead, the Love Island USA star understood she’d caused hurt to others and did her best to focus her energy on making it clear she didn’t stand behind her past behavior. Moving through the apology, Cierra was open and honest, debunking things briefly, but assuring Love Island USA viewers that they were right to call her out.
Source: Cierra Ortega/Instagram
Love Island USA
Release Date
July 9, 2019
Directors
Ryan ‘Reinhardt’ Vermeulen, Paul Newton, Marty Denholm
Iain Stirling
Self – Narrator
Arielle Vandenberg
Self – Host
