Rita Ora apologises for “queer-baiting” new song

Rita Ora has issued an apology on twitter if her new song “Girls” offended anyone in the LGBT+ community. The song – which also features Bebe Rexha, Cardi B, and Charli XCX – has Ora singing “I ain’t one-sided, I’m open-minded… I’m 50-50 and I’m never gonna hide it.” While Cardi B raps, “I steal your bitch, have her down with the scissors.” Ora then sings about drinking red wine and wanting to kiss girls.

Some listeners have pointed out the lyrics trivialise queer sexuality and play into harmful stereotypes. Out singer Hayley Kiyoko tweeted: “It’s important for us artists to move the cultural needle forward, not backwards. I literally have a knot in my stomach right now.

“I don’t need to drink wine to kiss girls; I’ve loved women my entire life. This type of message is dangerous because it completely belittles and invalidates the very pure feelings of an entire community. I feel I have a responsibility to protect that whenever possible.”

Another out singer, Kehlani, also tweeted criticism of the song: “Hate to be THAT guy but there were many awkward slurs, quotes, and moments that were like ‘word? word.’… Don’t make this personal… there. were. harmful. lyrics. period.”  

In response, Rita Ora has said: “’Girls’ was written to represent my truth and is an accurate account of a very real and honest experience in my life… I have had romantic relationships with women and men throughout my life… I am sorry (if) how I expressed myself in my song has hurt anyone.”

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