Love Island star Cierra Ortega has finally broken her silence after being removed from the villa last week for her past racist posts.
Several resurfaced posts circulated online last week, showing Cierra using a racial slur, usually targeted at the Asian community.
“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,” she said in the video statement shared online.
She continued, “I had no ill intention when I was using it. But that’s absolutely no excuse, because intent doesn’t excuse ignorance.”
Cierra went on to say that while the backlash has been very hard, she agreed with the network’s decision to remove her from the show. The reality star also revealed that her family has been receiving death threats and that ICE was even called on her family members.
“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 continued.
Love Island USA airs every night on Peacock at 9/8c except on Wednesdays.