In Defense of Cierra Ortega
Love Island Kicked Her Off. The Internet Wanted More.
There’s something about the internet that makes people forget context. Forget grace. Forget the possibility that someone can do something wrong and not be evil.
This week, it’s Cierra Ortega.
She was kicked off Love Island after an old post resurfaced—one where she used a racial slur that’s been used to demean people of Asian descent. But the situation, like most things the internet chews up and spits out, is more complicated than the headlines make it seem.
Because she didn’t use the word to describe someone else. She didn’t weaponize it. She wasn’t mocking a group of people or trying to be edgy. She was talking about herself, in a post about getting a brow lift. She smiled and said she looked a little—well, you can guess.
Now let me be clear: the word she used is wrong. It’s not harmless. It carries weight and history and pain. But if we’re going to talk about accountability, let’s be honest about what actually happened here.
Cierra didn’t know it was a slur. She wasn’t trying to be cruel. She wasn’t using it to belittle someone. She was describing her appearance in a post made long before she had the kind of following she does now. And when someone told her about the word’s meaning? She apologized. She acknowledged it. She took the post down. She said she didn’t know—and if we’re being honest, neither did I until a year ago.
We throw around the word “racist” like it’s a diagnosis, but what if sometimes the issue isn’t hatred—it’s ignorance?
And no, that doesn’t mean it’s okay. Ignorance still has consequences. But when someone genuinely doesn’t know something is wrong and then apologizes and learns from it, shouldn’t that be a sign of growth? Shouldn’t that matter?
Apparently not.
Because instead of seeing someone make a mistake and correct it, the internet decided it wasn’t enough. So, they pulled her off the show and took away her chance of winning $100,000. Great, that should be enough, right? Nope, because now she’s receiving waves of hate, losing friends, and being sent death threats. We’ve gotten to the point where her family had to step in and apologize again on her behalf. We’ve crossed the line from consequence to cruelty.
And for what?
To prove a point? To uphold justice? Or just to feel powerful for tearing someone else down?
I’m not here to say Cierra was right. I’m saying she was human. I’m saying it’s possible for someone to be wrong without being irredeemable. I’m saying I’ve made mistakes too. And I’m glad mine didn’t go viral.
We act like public accountability is the goal, but that’s not what this is. This is a public punishment, designed not to correct, but to destroy. This is people choosing to kick someone while they’re already down, then asking why she’s crying.
You want to talk about consequences? Fine. She got them. She was removed from the show. Lost her platform. Lost her reputation. She even lost her peace. So, what now? Is that still not enough?
At what point does it cross the line between accountability and cruelty disguised as justice?
We have to be better than this.
If we truly want people to grow, we have to let them. That doesn’t mean letting things slide all the time. That means creating space for someone to say, “I didn’t know,” and for that to mean something. It means choosing education over ego. Conversation over cancelation. Compassion over cruelty.
So yes, I’m defending Cierra Ortega. Not the word. Not the ignorance. But the willingness to admit fault. The effort to make things right. The human underneath the headline.
Because if we’re not allowed to mess up, to learn, to come back from the things we didn’t know, then none of us stand a chance.
And while we’re here?
Amaya Papaya better win.
Stay clear-minded, and stay kind
-JustDarling💙
What do you think? Is the hate necessary?
If you have any thoughts on this, don’t be afraid to comment.