Cierra Ortega breaks silence on ‘Love Island USA’ exit in ‘accountability video’
Cierra Ortega shared an “accountability video” after her abrupt “Love Island USA” exit.
The reality star broke her silence on the “incredibly offensive” racial slur she used in resurfaced posts, which went viral during her time in Fiji, in a lengthy Instagram statement Wednesday.
🎬 Get Free Netflix Logins
Claim your free working Netflix accounts for streaming in HD! Limited slots available for active users only.
- No subscription required
- Works on mobile, PC & smart TV
- Updated login details daily
Two days after returning to the United States, the 25-year-old was able to “process” and address the backlash without being “highly emotional.”
She 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.”
The content creator noted that her future actions “will speak louder than any apology.”
She insisted, “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 “doubling down” on the slur and shared a screenshot of a 2024 Instagram exchange with a follower who called her out.
At the time, the “embarrassed” contestant vowed to “immediately remove” the term from her vocabulary.
On Wednesday, Ortega clarified that she “completely agree[d]” with the network’s decision to cut her from the series Sunday as she “deserved punishment” before blasting the rampant online hate.
“What’s been extremely, extremely difficult is the way people approaching my family and my loved ones,” she explained. “They have had ICE called on them. My family does not feel safe in their own home. I have received death threats.”
She proclaimed that “there is no need to fight hate with hate,” echoing the sentiments in the written apology she shared on her Story.
“While I had no ill intention, I fully understand that impact matters more than intent,” Ortega wrote of the “careless mistake” she is “genuinely ashamed of.”
She concluded by gushing over her “magical” time on “Love Island USA,” writing, “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.”
Ortega was coupled up with fellow contestant Nic Vansteenberghe when she was removed from the show.
The 24-year-old nurse, in response, told viewers he was “lost” before rekindling his connection with Olandria Carthen.
Islander Zak Srakaew explained via TikTok Tuesday that contestants had been told by producers that Ortega “broke … some of the policies of [their] guidelines.”
While fans awaited Ortega’s response, her family issued a statement on her social media account.
“We know our daughter. We know her heart. And when she returns, we believe she’ll face this with honesty, growth, and grace,” her loved ones wrote over the weekend. “She … will take responsibility in her own time and her own voice.”
Let’s be honest—no matter how stressful the day gets, a good viral video can instantly lift your mood. Whether it’s a funny pet doing something silly, a heartwarming moment between strangers, or a wild dance challenge, viral videos are what keep the internet fun and alive.