Rita Ora has apologised after criticism of her song Girls by several LGBTQ musicians.
Singers including Kehlani and Hayley Kiyo said the lyrics were “harmful” and accused the track of exploiting bisexuality.
In her apology, Rita said: “I would never intentionally cause harm to other LGBTQ+ people or anyone.
“I have strived to be a contributor to the LGBTQ+ community throughout my entire career and always will be.”
The track, which features Cardi B, Bebe Rexha and Charli XCX, was criticised by those who believed the song belittled same-sex relationships.
Some took issue with the chorus, which says: “Sometimes, I just wanna kiss girls, red wine, I just wanna kiss girls.”
Hayley Kiyoko wrote that she didn’t “need to drink wine to kiss girls”, while Kehlani called the lyrics “harmful”.
Sam Neath from Bi Pride UK told Newsbeat the song “sort of sounds like it’s undermining bisexuality as a serious thing”.
hate to be THAT guy but there were many awkward slurs, quotes, and moments that were like “word? word”
— Kehlani (@Kehlani) May 11, 2018
and don’t make this personal.
i have an incredible song out with one of the artists, and would love to work with the other three as well. & have met them all and respect them.
there. were. harmful. lyrics.
period. love y’all. 🤗— Kehlani (@Kehlani) May 11, 2018
Rita Ora has responded to the criticism with a statement on Twitter, describing the song as representing her “truth”.
She wrote: “I have had romantic relationships with women and men throughout my life and this is my personal journey.”
— Rita Ora (@RitaOra) May 14, 2018
“I am sorry [if]how I expressed myself in my song has hurt anyone,” she added.
“I would never intentionally cause harm to other LGBTQ+ people or anyone.”
She also thanked fans for “teaching me to love myself no matter what”.
Rita Ora previously told People magazine she wanted the song to be a bisexual anthem, but was less clear when asked if she was bisexual herself.
“If people look at it like that, it’s very narrow-minded and I don’t think that’s what this record is. I don’t think that that even matters,” she said.
Source: BBC Newsbeat
