Rita Ora has responded to criticism that her new track Girls references lesbian and bisexual themes in a problematic way, apologising for any offence caused and affirming her own attraction to women.
The singer, who joins Charli XCX, Bebe Rexha, and Cardi B on the bouncy pop tune, told her Twitter following that “Girls was written to represent my truth and is an accurate account of a very real and honest experience in my life.”
She said the track came after her own relationships with women, and that it was never her intention to exploit the LGBTQ+ community by co-opting queer themes for the song.
“Looking forward, I hope that continuing to express myself through my art will empower my fans to feel as proud of themselves as I’m learning to feel about who I am,” she said.
— Rita Ora (@RitaOra) May 14, 2018
Her statement comes after artists including Kehlani and Hayley Kiyoko criticised Girls for its lyrical representation of queer themes.
Kehlani said “certain quotes weren’t progressive,” while Kiyoko issued a more damning take.
You can catch the track below:
