Cierra Ortega has spoken out for the first time following her July 6 exit from Love Island USA after past posts resurfaced in which she used racial slurs.
The 25-year-old’s departure from the Fiji villa was initially announced as due to a “personal situation” during Episode 30 on July 6, as narrated by Iain Stirling, per PEOPLE.
However, the exit followed the resurfacing of social media posts where Ortega allegedly used slurs offensive to Chinese people, leading to a petition demanding her removal that garnered over 17,000 signatures.
According to the Daily Mail, Ortega lost over 200,000 followers within 48 hours after the posts circulated.
“I Am Deeply, Truly, Honestly So Sorry”
Three days after her exit, Ortega issued a video and written statement on Instagram. She confirmed she has been back in the US for two days and felt ready to “speak about this without being highly emotional, because I’m not the victim in this situation.”
“I want to first start by addressing, not just anyone that I have hurt or deeply offended, but most importantly, the entire Asian community,” Ortega said. “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.”
Ortega explained that after using the slur in a public Instagram Story in 2024, a follower corrected her about the derogatory nature of the term.
“In that moment, I was embarrassed,” she continued. “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.”
“I Think This Deserved Punishment”
Ortega said she agreed with the network’s decision to remove her from the villa.
“I think that this is something that deserved punishment, and the punishment has absolutely been received,” she stated.
She admitted that “the backlash has obviously been very hard to deal with,” but she understood “where the hate is coming from.” She also revealed she has received death threats and shared that it has been “extremely, extremely difficult” to watch people approach her family and loved ones aggressively, noting that her family had Immigration and Customs Enforcement called on them, leaving them feeling unsafe in their own home.
“If you want to know that you are heard and that I’m sorry and that I will move differently, I promise you that’s what will happen,” Ortega added.
“I know that no apology could ever be enough for the harm that I’ve caused and the offense that’s taken place. 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. But I do need it to be known that I am sorry, and I did mean no harm.”
Her Family’s Plea for Compassion
Following Ortega’s exit, her family posted a statement on her Instagram Stories describing it as “one of the most painful weeks of our lives.”
“We’re not here to justify or ignore what’s surfaced,” they wrote. “We understand why people are upset, and we know accountability matters. But what’s happening online right now has gone far beyond that.
“The threats. The cruel messages. The attacks on her family, her friends, even her supporters, it’s heartbreaking. It’s uncalled for. And no one deserves that kind of hate, no matter what mistake they’ve made.”
The family added that while Ortega was no longer in the villa, she had not yet had the chance to process the backlash.
“While she’ll always be our little girl, she’s also a woman, one who will take responsibility in her own time and her own voice. Until then, we’re simply asking for compassion. For patience. For basic human decency. Not just for her, but for everyone caught in the middle of this.”
Belle-A Walker: “Asian Hate Is Oftentimes Overlooked”
Fellow Love Island USA contestant Belle-A Walker, who was dumped from the villa after Ortega’s arrival, praised the producers for taking a stand against racism, sharing her thoughts on Instagram Stories.
“When I first saw what my fellow Islander said on their social media pages, I was incredibly heartbroken," Walker wrote. "But I wanted to wait until they left the villa and were able to address the situation, genuinely apologize, and commit to learning from the experience before deciding how our relationship would look moving forward.”
She added: “As screenshots continued to surface, it became clear that I could no longer support this person, and made the decision to unfollow them a couple of days ago.”
Walker highlighted how “Asian hate is oftentimes overlooked and dismissed,” sharing that as a first-generation American, she has witnessed how real and hurtful these comments can be.
“I do not condone bigotry or racism of any kind. But I also don’t condone hate either. Please think twice before leaving unkind comments to or about this person. I love you all so much," she added.
What Happens Next
Love Island USA continues to air on Peacock at 9:00PM ET daily except Wednesdays.
Ortega’s departure left fellow contestant Nic Vansteenberghe single and stunned the villa.
Ortega has pledged to learn, change, and allow her future actions to demonstrate growth. Her situation joins a wider conversation around racism, accountability, and anti-Asian hate in reality TV as the series continues its Season 7 run.