Rita Ora has apologised after her new song 'Girls', featuring Cardi B, Charli XCX and Bebe Rexha, was criticised for its portrayal of same-sex relationships. The lyrics reference Ora's bisexuality, with lines such as 'I'm 50-50 and I'm never going to hide it' and 'Red wine, I just want to kiss girls'.
Pop star Hayley Kiyoko criticised the song on Twitter, saying it 'does more harm than good for the LGBTQ+ community' and 'fuels the male gaze while marginalising the idea of women loving women'. She added that the song 'belittles and invalidates the very pure feelings of an entire community'.
R&B singer Kehlani also expressed concerns, writing that 'there were many awkward slurs, quotes' and that 'certain quotes weren't progressive'. DJ Kittens described the song as being 'about wanting to hehe kiss girls when you're drinking and smoking weed', arguing it is 'harmful when LGBT women are fetishised'.
In response, Ora said she was 'sorry if how I expressed myself in the song has hurt anyone' and that she 'would never intentionally cause harm to other LBGTQ+ people or anyone'. She explained that the song 'was written to represent my truth and is an accurate account of a very real and honest experience in my life'.
