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Whew! The tea around ‘Love Island USA’ contestant Cierra Ortega is getting hotter by the minute. After being removed from the villa over a resurfaced post showing her using a racial slur, Cierra posted a public apologybut now her grandmother, Magdalena Carrillo, is chiming in with some strong words of her own.
Magdalena Carrillo, Cierras grandmother, spoke to TMZ and made it crystal clear: she doesnt believe her granddaughter is racist. Magdalena thinks the backlash is out of hand and says the entire family is devastated by the hate being thrown their way. She also added that the accusations of racism don’t align with the family, especially since they are immigrants themselves.
And, Magdalena didnt stop there. She addressed online rumors that people are reporting the family to ICE, finding it appalling, even if she can’t confirm whether its really happening. She even shared that she watched Cierras apology video and fully believes she meant every word.
Social media has been flooded with mixed reactions since Cierras exit from ‘Love Island USA.’ Some users are siding with her grandmother, saying the backlash has gone too far. Others, however, believe the slur shouldnt be brushed off, calling for accountability and reminding folks that words carry weight, especially on a public platform.
One Instagram user @aboooggiiee said, “Idk about this one guys ya really draggging it ”
This Instagram user @jstro62 added, “i agree with the grandmother“
Instagram user @moralesstacie wrote, “As Grandma should ”
And, Instagram user @toddcoupdetat commented, “Yall all need to relax, its not that serious“
Meanwhile, Instagram user @bbrazil75 added, “Own it, do better. Grandma should be teaching accountability for her actions. That’s when a apology means something“
While, Instagram user @annasx3__ revealed, “To me it wasnt the slur it was the mean girl energy she was putting out.“
Cierra took to social media just two days after her ‘Love Island USA’ exit, issuing a public apology to the Asian community and anyone hurt by her past comments. In the video, she took full accountability and even referenced a previous moment when she was called out for using the same slur, saying shes learning, growing, and wants to do better. But the controversy didnt stop there. Old screenshots from 2015 resurfaced showing Cierra discussing Botox in a selfie, where her text sparked backlash for allegedly reinforcing harmful stereotypes against the Asian community.
Once the posts went viral, social media lit up with reactions, and a Change.org petition titled Send Cierra Home #StopAsianHate began circulating. Additionally, the petition called for her immediate removal from the show.
Furthermore, her parents have spoken out, saying:
“As Cierra’s parents, this has been one of the most painful weeks of our lives,” they wrote. “We’ve seen the posts, the headlines, the hurt and the hate. And while Cierra hasn’t seen any ofit yet, we have. And so have the people who love her.”
Whether Cierra will return to reality TV is still unclear. But one things for certain: her grandma is standing by her side.
