LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former “Love Island USA” contestant Cierra Ortega apologized Wednesday for resurfaced posts the place she used a racial slur towards Asian folks.
Ortega, who was half of one of many season’s strongest {couples}, left the villa only a week earlier than the favored actuality present’s finale after outdated posts resurfaced that contained the slur.
Ortega addressed your complete Asian neighborhood in her almost 5 minute TikTok video and mentioned she is “deeply, truly, honestly so sorry.”
“This is not an apology video. This is an accountability video,” Ortega mentioned.
“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,” Ortega mentioned. “I had no ill intention when I was using it, but that’s absolutely no excuse because intent doesn’t excuse ignorance.”
Ortega, who has been again in the USA for about 48 hours, mentioned she has struggled most with the backlash skilled by her household, who she mentioned would not really feel secure in their very own residence, and have had immigration authorities referred to as on them.
“There’s no need to fight hate with hate. I don’t think that that’s justice,” Ortega said. “And if you want to know that you’re heard and that I’m sorry and that I will move differently, I promise you, that’s what will happen.”
Ortega’s elimination from the villa was introduced early in Sunday’s episode. Host Iain Stirling mentioned she had left “due to a personal situation.”
“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,” Ortega mentioned.
Her video made no point out of her “Love Island” companion, Nic Vansteenberghe. He remained within the villa single when Ortega left, in the end recoupling with fellow islander Orlandria Carthen in the identical episode. The couple continues to be in competitors as of Tuesday’s episode.
Ortega mentioned she was unaware she was utilizing a racial slur till a follower pointed it out after she posted an Instagram story in 2024 that used the time period. It was one of many posts that resurfaced throughout her time within the villa.
At this level, Ortega mentioned “the word was immediately removed from my vocabulary.”
“I know that moving forward, my actions and how I decide to live my life from here on out is gonna speak louder than any apology ever could,” Ortega mentioned.
Ortega’s departure from the villa adopted Yulissa Escobar, who left the villa final month within the second episode after clips of her utilizing racist language resurfaced on-line. Her departure was additionally not defined within the present.
A spokesperson for the present declined to remark Monday.
Escobar, who initially issued an apology on her Instagram story shortly after she departed the villa, took to TikTok a day after Ortega left to ask viewers to cease cyberbullying contestants.
“I know what I said was wrong. I know what Cierra said was wrong, and I know it hurt communities,” Escobar mentioned. “All I ask you guys is instead of threatening her and her family, try to educate us, her, me.”
Escobar mentioned she was “honestly scared to come home,” when she first received her cellphone again after exiting the villa and noticed the messages she had obtained.
“I was like, is something going to happen to me? Like, is somebody going to do something to me? Because it was just a lot to take in and even my family was worried,” Escobar mentioned. “It’s not easy to take that when you’re getting all these threats online.”
The present, which strips contestants of their telephones or entry to the surface world, has beforehand requested followers to keep away from cyberbullying contestants. Host Ariana Madix referred to as for followers to cease doxxing and harassing the present’s stars in a current interview with The Related Press.
“Love Island USA” is an American spin-off of the unique U.Ok. sequence and is airing its seventh season. The present airs day by day besides Wednesdays and brings younger singles collectively in a distant villa in Fiji to discover connections with the final word objective of discovering love.
{Couples} endure challenges and are inspired check their romantic connections as new contestants are launched. Islanders are routinely “dumped” from the villa all through the sequence as stronger {couples} kind. Sunday’s finale will culminate with one couple who receives probably the most public votes being awarded $100,000.
