‘Love Island USA’ Contestant Cierra Ortega Apologizes After Use Of Racial Slur Resurfaces

Topline

Cierra Ortega, one of the stars of Peacock’s reality dating series “Love Island USA,” addressed her controversial exit from the show and apologized for her past use of a derogatory term for Chinese people in a video posted Wednesday night, while urging viewers to stop sending her and her family threats.

Cierra Ortega was removed from “Love Island USA” on Sunday. (Photo by: Ben Symons/Peacock via Getty … More Images)

Ben Symons/Peacock via Getty Images

Key Facts

Ortega, who was removed from “Love Island USA” on Sunday night’s episode for a “personal situation,” according to the show, confirmed posts that resurfaced in which she appeared to use a racial slur were authentic, though she had “no idea” at the time the word was a slur.

“I am deeply, truly, honestly so sorry,” Ortega said, adding she had “no ill intention” when using the word but acknowledged “intent doesn’t excuse ignorance.”

During the nearly five-minute video, Ortega shared a screen recording of Instagram DMs shared between her and another user last year in which the user informed her the word was a slur, which prompted Ortega to apologize and remove the post.

Ortega has faced a slew of backlash online since the posts resurfaced and said there is “no need to fight hate with hate,” claiming viewers have sent her death threats and called Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities on her family.

Ortega claimed some screenshots circulating social media that appear to show her doubling down on her usage of the word on Instagram are fabricated, and she said the word was “removed from her vocabulary” after a user told her about its meaning in 2024.

“I completely agree with the network’s decision to remove me from the villa,” Ortega said, stating the “punishment has absolutely been received” but urged viewers to let her “grow with grace.”

Why Was Cierra Ortega Removed From “love Island Usa?”

Ortega was removed from “Love Island USA” after screenshots depicting her using a racial slur referring to Chinese people in an Instagram post circulated social media. In the post, Ortega used the word to refer to her eyes while receiving a Botox brow lift procedure. While on the show, Ortega did not have access to social media, but her parents posted on her Instagram after Sunday’s episode that the online response to her alleged old posts went “far beyond” seeking accountability and had devolved into “threats” and “cruel messages.” Ortega was the second contestant to be removed from the show this season, following contestant Yulissa Escobar, who was removed in the second episode after videos resurfaced of her using the N-word on a podcast. Escobar apologized in social media posts after her exit, though she has also decried online bullying and said in an Instagram post some viewers have made it a “mission to break people down, not just me, but everyone who stepped into that villa.”

Why Did Some Fans Push For Cierra Ortega’s Exit?

The controversy over her alleged old posts went viral on social media, and the comment sections of many posts on the “Love Island USA” Instagram account were flooded with fans demanding Ortega’s removal. Some fans pointed to the earlier removal of Escobar as reason to remove Ortega. “[T]he hypocrisy of removing yulissa (who was rightfully removed) but not cierra….” one commenter said under a “Love Island USA” Instagram post, receiving 10,000 likes. Some fans, however, expressed concern for Ortega’s mental health and felt the criticism amounted to online bullying. A change.org petition urging producers to “acknowledge the racism against the Asian community and hold Cierra accountable for her blatant racism” garnered more than 17,000 signatures as of Monday morning.

What Happened After Ortega’s Exit?

Ortega was in a relationship with Nicolas Vansteenberghe while on the show. After Ortega’s exit was announced, the show cut to Vansteenberghe discussing Ortega with the rest of the men in the villa. “Right before Cierra had left, my mind was clear. I knew what the future would look like, and now I’m lost,” he said. Later in the episode, the contestants were made to pick new partners in a “recoupling.” Vansteenberghe was chosen by Olandria Carthen, with whom he had previously explored a relationship before becoming exclusive with Ortega.

What Has The “love Island” Cast And Crew Said About Ortega’s Exit?

Isabelle-Anne Walker, who went by the nickname “Belle-A” on the show before she was eliminated after one week, posted a statement on her Instagram story criticizing Ortega’s alleged use of the slur while objecting to the online hate directed her way. “As a proud Asian American woman, I’m deeply appreciative of the ‘Love Island USA’ producers for taking a stand and making it clear that racism of any kind is not tolerated,” Walker said, while urging followers to “think twice before leaving unkind comments to or about this person.” Ariana Madix, host of “Love Island USA,” liked several comments on her TikTok account that suggested Madix was aware of Ortega’s alleged resurfaced posts and had no responsibility over the show. “How is Cierra saying a slur and the production not taking her off Ariana’s fault?” one commenter said, which Madix liked.

“love Island’s” Tragic History: 3 U.k. Deaths

Two former contestants from the U.K. series, and former “Love Island U.K.” host Caroline Flack, died by suicide after appearing on the show, and a U.K. Parliament committee launched an investigation into the ethics of the show in 2019. The U.K. version has since ramped up its mental health support for contestants, and Madix told NBC News the show offers mental health counseling for contestants both during and after the show.

Key Background

“Love Island USA” previously issued a warning against online hate directed toward the contestants on June 24, telling viewers in an Instagram post: “We appreciate the fans, the passion for the series, and the amazing group of Islanders who are sharing their summer with us. Please just remember they’re real people – so let’s be kind and spread the love!” The show did not specify which contestants had received online hate, but many fans speculated in the comments section the show was referring to contestant Huda Mustafa, whose contentious early relationship with Jeremiah Brown was a source of drama on the show. The show issued a similar warning to viewers last year before the season six reunion as contestants had received an onslaught of online criticism. The “Love Island” franchise, particularly the original United Kingdom series, has faced scrutiny for its impact on contestants’ mental health.