Atlantic RecordsRita Ora has issued an apology for her new song, “Girls,” and opened up about her own sexuality.
In a Twitter message following backlash for the song’s bi-curious lyrics, Rita revealed the song was based on her personal experience.
“‘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.”
She added, “I am sorry how I expressed myself in my song has hurt anyone. I would never intentionally cause harm to other LGBTQ+ people or anyone.”
Rita concluded by thanking her fans for “teaching me to love myself no matter what.”
“I have strived to be a contributor to the LGBTQ+ community throughout my entire career and always will be,” she wrote.
The song, a collaboration featuring Bebe Rexha, Charli XCX and Cardi B, contains the lyrics, “Sometimes, I just wanna kiss girls, girls, girls/Red wine, I just wanna kiss girls, girls, girls.”
Some fans and even fellow artists such as Kehlani and Hayley Kiyoko found the lyrics problematic, particularly the implication that alcohol is a part of same-sex love.
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