'Love Island' Star Apologizes for Anti-Asian Slur, Claims Family Reported to ICE

Former reality TV contestant Cierra Ortega from "Love Island USA" addressed her past use of an anti-Asian slur shortly after being removed from the show. Ortega mentioned that Immigration and Customs Enforcement was called on her family due to the backlash she faced.

Ortega, 25, posted an "accountability video" on her Instagram, apologizing to the Asian community for using the offensive term without understanding its history or harm. She specifically addressed a social media post from last year where she used the slur in reference to getting Botox.

Despite acknowledging multiple resurfaced posts, Ortega only discussed the one from last year. She mentioned deleting the post and apologizing to the person who pointed out her mistake, stating that she immediately removed the word from her vocabulary.

While Ortega did not address other resurfaced posts, she denied the authenticity of a screenshot suggesting she was aware of the slur's meaning. She expressed agreement with being removed from the show but highlighted the distress caused by the intense backlash on her family, including receiving death threats and having ICE called on them.

Responses to Ortega's video varied, with some supporting her accountability while others questioned her sincerity. The incident follows another contestant, Yulissa Escobar, being removed from the show last month for using a racist slur. "Love Island" airs on Peacock, owned by NBCUniversal.