Love Island USA star Cierra Ortega has released an apology and accountability video for using a racial slur. Cierra spoke for the first time since exiting the show, starting her video by saying "Now that I've been back in the U.S. for about 48 hours, and I've had the chance to process. I now feel like I'm at a space where I can speak about this without being highly emotional, because I am not the victim in this situation."
She also shared, "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. I want to first start by addressing not just anyone that I have hurt or deeply offended, but most importantly, the entire 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," Cierra continued. "I had no ill intention when I was using it. But that's absolutely no excuse, because intent doesn't excuse ignorance."
Speaking of her removal from Love Island, she said "I completely agree with the network's decision to remove me from the villa. This is something that deserved punishment, and the punishment has absolutely been received, for sure. I think the backlash has obviously been very hard to deal with, but I understand that people are kind of confused on why I would have even said it."
Cierra also addressed attacks on her family, saying "What's been extremely, extremely difficult is the way people are approaching my family and my loved ones. They have had ICE called on them. My family doesn't feel safe in their own home. I'm receiving death threats—there's no need to fight hate with hate. I don't think that that's justice."
"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," she explained. "I know that no apology could ever be enough for the harm that I've caused and the offense that's taken place."
