Love Island’: Cierra Ortega out amid racist posts backlash – Los Angeles Times
Cierra Ortega, a recent contestant on Love Island USA, has publicly apologized for using a racial slur in an old social media post, which led to her sudden exit from the show.
In a heartfelt video, the 25-year-old content creator from Los Angeles explained that the post in question was made in 2024. She said she didn’t realize the term was offensive until a follower messaged her about it.
“I was embarrassed and immediately deleted the post,” Ortega said.
Ortega, who is of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent, said the backlash has been intense — not just for her but also for her family. She revealed that people have been calling immigration authorities on her loved ones and even sending death threats.
“My family doesn’t feel safe in their own home,” she said. “There’s no need to fight hate with hate.”
Ortega made it clear she agrees with the show’s decision to remove her, saying she understands why fans were upset. However, she also pushed back against online claims that she refused to delete the post or defended it.
“I was apologetic. I took the time to educate myself and those around me on the word’s painful history,” she explained. “The backlash has been really hard.”
Her departure follows that of fellow contestant Yulissa Escobar, who also left the villa after a resurfaced podcast clip showed her using a racial slur. Escobar later apologized on Instagram, saying she used the term without understanding its weight — and returned from the show to what she described as a “warzone” of online abuse.
This season of Love Island USA has been one of the most-watched reality shows on Peacock, NBC’s streaming platform. But its massive popularity has brought a wave of cyberbullying, prompting the show to air a statement urging fans to stop harassing contestants online.
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