Love Island star Cierra Ortega says show fans called ICE on her family

Cierra Ortega, formerly of reality TV show Love Island, said that fans called ICE on her family. Ortega, who was booted off the show over a past social media post where she disparaged Asians, said that her family has become a target of disgruntled fans. She made the revelation in a video during which she said she'd finally had a chance to "process" what happened.

"What's been extremely, extremely difficult," she said, "is the way people are approaching my family and my loved ones. They have had ICE called on them. My family doesn't feel safe in their own home. I'm receiving death threats. There's no need to fight hate with hate. I don't think that's justice." Ortega is of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent. 

"And if you want to know that you're heard and that I'm sorry and that I will move differently, I promise you, that's what will happen. I know that no apology could ever be enough for the harm that I've caused and the offense that's taken place.

"I know that moving forward, my actions and how I decide to live my life from here on out is going to speak louder than any apology ever could. But I do need it to be known that I am sorry and I did mean no harm, and hopefully there are people out there that can use my mistake as a learning moment and to just be better, because that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to take today and tomorrow, and I'm going to take strides to be better. And all I can ask for is, even if you won't give me forgiveness, if you can just allow me to grow with grace."

Ortega, who hails from Arizona and is now a content creator in LA, apologized to the "entire Asian community" for using a term that she didn't know that the word she used was a slur. She said that she "took accountability" for the post that she has since deleted. She also said that she thought it was right that she was removed from the Love Island Villa over the post.

She's 25 years old, and the post was made in 2024. Outlets are not reporting on exactly what was said, but in Ortega's video, she shared a screenshot of a DM from a follower who told her that what she said about Asian eyes was highly offensive.

"Before I get into the details, 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 said, looking casual in her "empathy" sweatshirt. " 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."

After that July 6 removal, Ortega's parents issued a statement, saying, "We're not here to justify or ignore what's surfaced. We understand why people are upset, and we know accountability matters. But what's happening online right now has gone far beyond that.

"The threats. The cruel messages. The attacks on her family, her friends, even her supporters, it's heartbreaking. It's uncalled for. And no one deserves that kind of hate, no matter what mistake they've made."

The term she used was apparently insensitive about the eyes of Asians. Ortega was the second contestant to be cut from the show over racism. Miami bartender, 27-year-old Yulissa Escobar, was also cut after she said the n-word. 

The LA Times reports that "This scandal is another disappointing reminder of the racism, be it casual or overt, that permeates Latino culture. Perhaps given our minority status in the U.S., Latinos often think using slurs is totally normal, and not a big deal; but it’s not, and it is."