Entertainment
‘Love Island USA’ Contestant Cierra Ortega Apologizes for Racial Slur After Exit
‘Love Island’s Cierra Ortega
Says She Deserves To Be Punished
After Making Racial Slur
Published
Instagram / @cierra.ortega
Cierra Ortega has addressed her dramatic exit from “Love Island USA” after outrage erupted over her past racist posts resurfacing during filming — and says she agrees with production’s decision to give her the boot.
In a lengthy video and written statement she shared on Instagram Wednesday evening, Cierra says she’s been back home for 48 hours and is ready to address herself “very naively using an incredibly offensive and derogatory term.”
First and foremost, she apologizes to the Asian community and all whom she has offended, adding …”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.”
While she says she had “no ill intention” when using the term, she concedes there is “absolutely no excuse because intent doesn’t excuse ignorance.”
Rather than profusely apologizing, Cierra says she’d rather take accountability for her actions … and even shows receipts of a previous discussion with a follower who called her out for using the term in question.
She says she was “embarrassed” by her ignorance and “immediately deleted the post,” adding … “The word was immediately removed from my vocabulary.”
Reflecting on the 2024 education about the word, she notes … “It was a true learning moment for me I think since that moment, I’ve done so much growing as an individual, and I’ve tried my best to educate others who might be accidentally holding space for these types of words that could be offensive in their vocabulary.”
Although she says she’s put in the work to grow, the marketing professional confirms she is in full support of Peacock’s decision to pull her from the show. She reasons …”I think that this is something that deserved punishment, and the punishment has absolutely been received, for sure.”
While she is prepared for punishment, she admits it’s been “extremely, extremely difficult” to watch people lash out on her family for her actions — including calling ICE on them.
Speaking directly to those who are irate that she would use such a term, Cierra adds … “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.”
The Arizona native shared her statement 2 days after arriving back home from the villa in Fiji … but by then, her family had already spoken out about the “cruel” hate they were receiving and begged the public to give their daughter grace.
Cierra’s exit from “Love Island USA” Season 7 was announced during the July 6 episode and labeled as a “personal situation.”
Her exit came a month after Yulissa Escobar was kicked to the curb after her own racist comments were discovered.
Bryan Kohberger
I’m Not The Christmas Grinch …
Call Me The Cookie Monster!!!
Published
Bryan Kohberger is spending Christmas behind bars — and the murderous Grinch of 4 college students is getting a much-deserved lump of coal this year instead of the average holiday prison perks, except for some cookies.
Here’s the scoop … Idaho’s most infamous mass killer is incarcerated in long-term restrictive housing at Idaho Maximum Security Institution, so he has very little access to any activities, according to Sanda Kuzeta-Cerimagic, a spokeswoman for the Department of Correction.
Kuzeta-Cerimagic said Kohberger and his fellow inmates in the restrictive unit are shuffled around in shackles, making it harder for correction officers to move them about the prison for special Xmas activities.
During the holidays, St. Vincent de Paul — a charity organization — runs a program called “Cookies for Corrections”, and they deliver donated boxes of cookies to every Idaho Department of Correction facility, including the Idaho Maximum Security Institution. Among the cookies, there are some famous brand names, such as Oreo, Chips Ahoy, and Nutter Butter (perfect for Kohberger).
Of course, Kohberger made the inmate list to receive the cookies despite butchering 4 University of Idaho students with a knife and landing in prison for life.
Speaking of food … the prison menu consists of “Holiday Turkey Roast” … but since Kohberger is a strict vegan, he’ll probably go for the “Holiday Stuffed Pepper” — paired with vegan mashed potatoes and vegan pumpkin pie.
And that’s about it for Kohberger’s Christmas.
JaMarcus Russell
Co-Signs Ex-Coach Lane Kiffin To LSU
… Only The Best For Our School!
Published
TMZSports.com
JaMarcus Russell knows a thing or two about Lane Kiffin and LSU football, and the former number one overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft is pumped to see what the polarizing head coach has in store for his alma mater!
TMZ Sports chatted it up with Russell and Dwayne Bowe — former star teammates at LSU — about their school’s hiring of Kiffin, and both are pumped to see how he makes his mark on one of the country’s top programs.
Russell, in particular has a unique view of the 50-year-old … since Lane was his head coach in Oakland with the Raiders until Al Davis fired him four games into the 2008 season.
“I was learning to be a professional athlete. He was learning to be a professional coach,” JaMarcus told us.
“I think if he had some time, it would’ve worked. We didn’t have time to go through stages of years together, but I think he’s done well at the collegiate level with every team he’s been on,” Russell said of his time with Kiffin.
“Hopefully that’s what myself and the rest of the Tiger fans and staff are waiting on to happen [at LSU].”
The two haven’t been in constant contact over the years, but the men have spoken over texts from time to time, and there’s absolutely no bad blood.
As for Bowe, he expects to see results right away … saying when you get LSU, “You don’t have time.”
“They’re bringing you in for right now,” Dwayne said. “And I think with his coaching ability and the guys that’s there and the support he have from us, the fans, the energy he gonna receive, and just that grittiness that he’s gonna bring back, I think it’s gonna be right now.”
“We got a lot of dogs over there.”
Despite all the debate about the massive shakeup with Ole Miss and LSU, fans will still have to wait nine months until the Tigers kick off the 2026 season under their new head coach.
TMZSports.com
In the meantime, Russell and Bowe are staying busy doing a bit of coaching themselves … at their All Pro Academy — which they founded together — with the goal of teaching hopeful NFL players “how to be a pro’s pro.”
Check out the full interview!
Mass Killer Bryan Kohberger’s Cookie Christmas Extravaganza Behind Bars
JaMarcus Russell & Dwayne Bowe Co-Sign Lane Kiffin To LSU, Expect Results ASAP
Sexy Sydney Sweeney — What’s The Big Frigin’ Difference?!
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