Rita Ora is sorry. Following the backlash to her new single “Girls” and its potentially “harmful” lyrics, the pop star has issued an apology to the LGBTQ community.
In a Twitter statement, Ora responded to the criticism of the Cardi B, Bebe Rexha, and Charli XCX-assisted track, which celebrates bisexuality. “‘Girls” was written to represent my truth and is an accurate account of a very real and honest experience in my life,” she said. “I have had romantic relationships with women and men throughout my life and this is my personal journey.”
— Rita Ora (@RitaOra) May 14, 2018
“Girls,” which Ora co-wrote, received criticism from her peers including Kehlani, who took issue with the lyrics. “did i not say i love every woman apart of this?” she wrote. “i didn’t even say it was a bad song. i repeat AND stand by the fact that certain lyrics weren’t progressive and very problematic. i blame the writers.”