On Wednesday, former “Love Island USA” contestant Cierra Ortega issued a heartfelt apology for resurfaced posts in which she used a racial slur directed at Asian people. Ortega, known for being part of one of the season's strongest couples, left the villa just days before the highly anticipated finale after these old posts came to light.
In a nearly five-minute TikTok video, Ortega addressed the entire Asian community, stating, “I am deeply, truly, honestly so sorry.” She emphasized that this was not merely an apology video but an accountability video. “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 explained. Ortega acknowledged that while she had no ill intentions, ignorance is not an excuse for her actions.
Ortega shared the distress caused to her family, who, in the wake of the backlash, no longer feel safe in their own home. She revealed that immigration authorities had been called on them, adding, “There’s no need to fight hate with hate. I don’t think that that’s justice.” In her emotional appeal, Ortega promised her followers that she would learn from this experience and move forward differently.
Ortega's removal from the villa was announced during Sunday’s episode of “Love Island USA.” Host Iain Stirling mentioned that she had exited due to a personal situation. Ortega expressed her agreement with the network’s decision, stating, “I completely agree with the network’s decision to remove me from the villa. I think that this is something that deserved punishment and the punishment has absolutely been received.”
The controversy surrounding Ortega was not an isolated incident. Her exit followed that of Yulissa Escobar, who left the villa after her own history of using racist language resurfaced online. Like Ortega, Escobar did not receive an explanation on the show for her departure. After her exit, she took to TikTok to implore viewers to stop cyberbullying contestants, acknowledging the hurt caused by both her and Ortega's actions. “I know what I said was wrong. I know what Cierra said was wrong, and I know it hurt communities,” Escobar stated.
Escobar also expressed her fear upon returning home after seeing the backlash on her phone, saying, “I was like, is something going to happen to me? Like, is somebody going to do something to me?” She urged fans to focus on education rather than threats, asking for understanding in place of hostility. The show has previously requested fans to refrain from cyberbullying contestants, highlighting the emotional toll that public scrutiny can take.
“Love Island USA,” an American adaptation of the original U.K. series, is currently airing its seventh season. The show, which brings young singles together in a remote villa in Fiji, encourages them to explore romantic connections with the goal of finding love. Contestants face various challenges, and couples are routinely “dumped” from the villa as the competition progresses. The season finale is set to culminate with one couple receiving $100,000 based on public votes.
As the show continues to unfold, both Ortega and Escobar's experiences serve as a reminder of the importance of accountability and the impact of words in today’s social climate.
