Cierra Ortega has addressed her exit from Love Island USA after a social media post resurfaced where she used a racist slur. The former Islander was removed from the villa after using a word that demeans the Asian community.

"I take accountability for using the word, but I do want it to be known that I genuinely had no idea that it was a slur," the Season 7 star says

"I am deeply, truly, honestly, so sorry. 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," Ortega said