‘Love Island USA’ season 7 has seen a lot of twists and turns, and one such twist was the abrupt elimination of Cierra Ortega. The 25-year-old left the fans stunned when she exited the show citing ‘personal situation.’ The eagle-eyed fans noticed that there was something more.
Cierra Ortega apologises…
Ortega faced a lot of backlash after her old posts resurfaced online, where she had been using racial slurs and especially targeting the Asian community. Three days after bidding goodbye to the Fiji villa, she posted an apology video on Instagram. “While I was in the villa, there were some posts that resurfaced from my past where I was very naively using an incredibly offensive and derogatory term,” the reality star said on the video. “I want to first start by addressing not just anyone I have hurt or deeply offended, but most importantly, the entire Asian community,” she said before adding, “I am deeply, truly, and honestly so sorry. I had no idea that the word carried as much pain and harm, or came with the history that it did, or I never would have used it. I had no ill intent when I used it. But that’s absolutely no excuse, because intent doesn’t excuse ignorance.”Furthermore, Cierra took accountability for using the word and addressed that she had no idea that it was a slur. When she was embarrassed, Ortega stated that she deleted the post. In the statement, she said that she is apologetic about the situation, and has educated not only herself but anyone around her who has been accidentally holding space for the word.
Cierra Ortega addresses death threats…
“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, for sure,” Cierra said, adding that her family has been receiving death threats and having ICE called upon them. She asked the ‘Love Island USA’ to let her grow with grace, with a promise to make strides better after this incident.