Girls: Rita Ora 'sorry' for song accused of exploiting bisexuality
- Published
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".
Allow Instagram content?
This article contains content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Meta’s Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
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."
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
"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".
And so far they've reacted positively to her apology.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Rita Ora previously told People magazine, external 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.
Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, external, Facebook, external and Twitter, external.
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 every weekday on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra - if you miss us you can listen back here.
- Published12 May 2018
