Cierra Ortega is speaking out for the first time following her exit from Love Island USA.

During the July 6 episode of the Peacock reality dating series, it was announced that Cierra was removed from the villa. Her exit came after a resurfaced post started circulating on social media in which she used a racial slur.

In a new Instagram video posted on Wednesday (July 9), Cierra addressed the situation.

Keep reading to find out more…“Now that I’ve been back in the U.S. for about 48 hours, and I’ve had the chance to process,” Cierra said. “I now feel like I’m at a space where I can speak about this without being highly emotional, because I am not the victim in this situation.”

She then acknowledged that she had used a racial slur toward the Asian community.

“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,” Cierra said. “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.”

She continued, “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.”

Cierra also said that she wanted to “take accountability” for her resurfaced post and said that it has been a “true learning moment.”

“I do want it to be known that I genuinely had no idea that it was a slur,” Cierra said. “I had no idea of its meaning, and it wasn’t until I made the public story post in 2024 when a follower of mine reached out to correct me and let me know that what I was saying was incredibly hurtful.”

She went on to say that she deleted the post and “immediately” removed the word from her vocabulary, adding that she has done “so much growing” since she initially shared the post.

Cierra also said that she understands Peacock’s decision to remove her from Love Island USA.

“I completely agree with the network’s decision to remove me from the villa,” Cierra said. “This is something that deserved punishment, and the punishment has absolutely been received, for sure. I think the backlash has obviously been very hard to deal with, but I understand that people are kind of confused on why I would have even said it.”

Cierra also addressed the situation on her Instagram Story, writing in a statement, “I do not, and have never, condoned racism or the repression of any cultural group in any form. I would never intentionally use any word, especially a slur, to tear down anyone’s culture or community.”

“When I used that word, I didn’t fully understand what it meant or how much pain it carries,” she continued. “I learned how deeply wrong it was when I was called out for it in 2024, and as you can see in the screenshot I shared in my video, I was genuinely ashamed and wanted to do whatever I could in that moment to make sure I never made that careless mistake again. I know an apology means nothing without real accountability and change, and that’s what I’ve done my best to live up to since then and what I will continue to do.”

Cierra added, “While I had no ill intention, 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 I’m more than a mistake, a label, or a character on a highly edited reality show. 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.”

“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,” she concluded. “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. With love & humility, C”

Cierra‘s parents also released a statement following her exit from Love Island USA.