Cierra Ortega has broken her silence after being booted from ‘Love Island USA’ following the resurfacing of past posts where she used an anti-Asian racial slur.

Full details below…

In a nearly five-minute video, the former islander addressed the controversy directly, calling her message “not an apology video, but an accountability one.” Ortega, who was part of a strong couple before her sudden exit, said she was unaware of the word’s harmful history but now understands the weight it carries. She said:

“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, I had no ill intention when I was using it, but that’s absolutely no excuse because intent doesn’t excuse ignorance.”

She fully supported the network’s decision to remove her, saying:

“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.”

Her exit follows a similar scandal involving contestant Yulissa Escobar, with ‘Love Island USA’ urging fans to stop cyberbullying and show up with education, not attacks.

Watch Ortega’s full apology here:

 

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