Following her shocking exit, Love Island USA’s Cierra Ortega had a surprisingly supportive reaction to her former partner Nic Vansteenberghe finding a romantic connection with Olandria Carthen.
Cierra broke her silence on Wednesday, July 9, about the racism controversy that caused her to be removed from the villa in Fiji — but she didn’t stop there. After getting her phone back, Cierra subtly weighed in on Nic and Olandria coupling up by “liking” an Instagram post from Nic’s loved ones.
Nic’s family, who has been running his Instagram while he is filming season 7, posted various fan edits and behind-the-scenes photos of him and Olandria, writing, “And so it was written in the stars.”
The positive reaction from Cierra took some fans by surprise considering she had just closed off her connection with Nic days before leaving the show. Cierra’s sudden departure came after a racist post from her social media resurfaced while she was offline in the villa.
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After returning to the U.S., Cierra issued a statement taking accountability for the controversy.
“I am not the victim in the situation,” Cierra said in an Instagram video shared on Wednesday. “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.”
Cierra claimed she didn’t know she was using a slur in the 2024 post that caused online backlash, adding, “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. It just doesn’t.”
She continued: “I just need you to know that I am so sorry — but this is not an apology video. This is an accountability video. I do want to hold my hands up and say that I take accountability for using the word, but I do want it to be known that I genuinely had no idea that it was a slur. I had no idea of its meaning.”
Elsewhere in the video, Cierra addressed Peacock’s decision to pull her from season 7.
“The truth is that in that moment, the lesson was learned, the word was removed and it was a true learning moment for me. Since that moment, I’ve done so much growing as an individual and I’ve tried my best to educate others who might be accidentally holding space for these types of words that could be offensive in their vocabulary,” she continued. “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.”
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Cierra elaborated on her reality TV experience in a second statement shared via her Instagram Story.
I fully understand that impact matters more than intent. I don’t expect forgiveness overnight. I just hope that in time I can show that l’m more than a mistake, a label, or a character on a highly edited reality show,” she wrote on Wednesday. “I’m someone trying to spread love and light, even when I get it wrong, and I hope my actions from here speak louder than this mistake ever did.”
She concluded: “My experience in the villa was nothing short of magical. The memories I made and the people I met are ones I’ll cherish forever. While I’m heartbroken my journey had to be cut short, I understand that mistakes, especially ones like this, deserve consequences. Once again, to the Asian community, I am deeply sorry for my thoughtless mistake and the harm it caused.”
New episodes of Love Island USA will be released six days a week — except for Wednesdays — on Peacock. The season 7 finale is set to air Sunday, July 13.
