Love Island USA's Cierra Ortega Breaks Silence After Exit Over Racial Slur Post: “This Is an Accountability Video”
[Los Angeles, US], July 10:
Love Island USA Season 7 contestant Cierra Ortega has spoken publicly for the first time since her sudden departure from the Peacock reality dating series, following backlash over a resurfaced social media post containing a racial slur. In a nearly five-minute Instagram video, Ortega shared an emotional and introspective statement, calling her message “not an apology video, but an accountability video.”
Ortega exited the Love Island villa just a week before the season finale. On the July 6 episode, narrator Iain Stirling announced that she had “left the villa due to a personal situation,” leaving fellow Islander Nic Vansteenberg single. At the time, no additional explanation was provided.
Her exit coincided with public outcry after an old post surfaced online in which Ortega used a derogatory racial term. Fans demanded her removal from the show, pointing to the post’s offensive nature.
In her video, Ortega acknowledged her past behavior and directed her apology specifically to the Asian community:
“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.”
She added that she had no ill intent but recognized that “intent doesn’t excuse ignorance.”
“There are different screenshots with different time stamps fueling the narrative that I doubled down, but that was not the case,” Ortega said. “The lesson was learned, the word was removed, and it was a true learning moment for me.”
Ortega expressed agreement with Peacock’s decision to remove her from the villa:
“I completely agree with the network’s decision… this is something that deserved punishment, and the punishment has absolutely been received.”
The 24-year-old also revealed the personal toll the backlash has taken:
“My family doesn’t feel safe in their own home. I’ve received death threats. There’s no need to fight hate with hate.”
She urged critics to allow her space for growth:
“Even if you won’t give me forgiveness, if you can just allow me to grow with grace… I’m deeply sorry again.”
Ortega is the second contestant this season to be removed for past racial slur usage. Earlier, Yulissa Escobar was dismissed after resurfaced podcast clips showed her using offensive language. In her own statement, Escobar admitted:
“I used [a slur] ignorantly, not fully understanding the weight, history, or pain behind it… The impact of that word is real.”
Love Island USA Season 7 continues to stream on Peacock, with Ariana Madix hosting. As of this week, the remaining couples include:
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