Cierra OrtegaCourtesy of Cierra Ortega/Instagram

After apologizing for using an “incredibly offensive” racist slur that resurfaced during her time on Love Island USA, Cierra Ortega addressed online criticism once again.

Taking to her Instagram Stories on Sunday, July 13, the reality TV star pointed a message towards one group in particular. “For those who wish harm on me, I carry nothing but love in my heart,” the controversial Islander began. “What should be a collective opportunity to address derogatory language and the harm they carry, has instead snowballed into an excuse for cruelty.”

Cierra’s reflection, posted the same night Love Island USA season seven came to an end, continued, “Still, I refuse to let misery find company here. I’ll keep living with love , presence, and gratitude. Especially in the painful moments, because they, too, shape who we are.”

The post was accompanied by a photo of Cierra, who left the series during the July 6 episode when narrator Iain Stirling confirmed that she left the villa “due to a personal situation,” taken from behind that captured her waving her hands in the air.

It continued, “I have every belief that all this energy can be alchemized into something with real impact. If even a fraction of it was used to uplift the community directly impacted — to continue amplifying Asian voices & their healing — imagine how much further we could be as a collective.”

The post concluded, “Be kind to somebody today. And tomorrow. And every day after that. Love will always go further.” Cierra also left a red heart emoji, wrapped in a bandage, at the end of the message.

A 2024 racist post from Cierra’s social media resurfaced while she was filming Love Island USA in Fiji. About 48 hours after her exit from the show, Cierra addressed the post in a July 9 Instagram video. “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,” she said at the time. “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 also said she didn’t know that what she said was racially offensive. “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. “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.”

The video detailed how Cierra received a message from a follower who called the slur “incredibly hurtful,” alerting her to the impact of her words. “At that moment, I was embarrassed. I — of course — immediately deleted the post,” she explained. “I was apologetic and I educated not only myself on the true meaning and the history of the word but also anyone around me who was accidentally a holding space for this slur.”

The apology video continued, “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.”