Cierra Ortega has broken her silence after being abruptly removed from Love Island USA over resurfaced posts that included a racial slur. In a self-described “accountability video” posted to Instagram on Wednesday, the 25-year-old addressed the controversy for the first time since returning to the U.S. from Fiji.
Ortega, who had remained offline during the initial wave of backlash, said the two-day window gave her time to “process” the situation without responding from a place of emotion. “I am deeply, truly, honestly so sorry,” she said. “I had no idea the word held as much pain, as much harm, and came with the history that it did—or I never would have used it.”
The influencer stopped short of excuses and acknowledged that her past words were “incredibly offensive.” She emphasized that future behavior would matter more than anything she could say now: “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 also denied accusations that she “doubled down” on the slur in past comments, sharing a screenshot from a 2024 Instagram exchange in which she told a follower she was “embarrassed” and had “immediately removed” the word from her vocabulary.
She said she agreed with the network’s decision to remove her from the show, calling it justified: “I deserved punishment.” Still, she condemned the wave of harassment that followed. “People have approached my family. ICE has been called on them. My family does not feel safe in their own home. I have received death threats.”
“There is no need to fight hate with hate,” she added, echoing the tone of a written apology also posted to her Story. “While I had no ill intention, I fully understand that impact matters more than intent.”
Ortega’s time on Love Island USA ended just days after she was paired with contestant Nic Vansteenberghe. After her exit, Vansteenberghe told viewers he felt “lost” but has since reconnected with Olandria Carthen.
Meanwhile, fellow Islander Zak Srakaew confirmed on TikTok that producers told the cast Ortega was removed for violating show guidelines.
Before Ortega spoke out, her family released a public message from her account: “We know our daughter. We know her heart. And when she returns, we believe she’ll face this with honesty, growth, and grace.”
Ortega ended her statement with a note of regret. “The memories I made and the people I met are ones I’ll cherish forever. I’m heartbroken my journey had to be cut short.”
Hot Chicks Influencers Love Island USA News Reality TV
Last modified: July 11, 2025
