Charli XCX has apologized to any members of the LGBTQ+ community offended by "Girls," Rita Ora's new single featuring herself, Cardi B, and Bebe Rexha. Kehlani, Hayley Kiyoki, and other artists who are a part of the community felt the song was in some ways insensitive to the experiences of LGBTQ+. Last week, Rita Ora responded to the criticism, apologizing to the community but also suggesting that the song is about her real experiences and she has had meaningful relationships with women as well as men. Charli XCX has now shared some thoughts of her own in an interview with Rolling Stone.
"I think the conversation and dialogue around this song is really important," she said. "I try so hard to be as involved with the LGBTQ community as possible. Without that community, my career would not really be anything... I read Kehlani's post, Hayley [Kiyoko]'s post, Katie [Gavin] from Muna's post. I could totally relate to the conversation that was being had. Of course, the intention of the song was never to hurt anybody. None of the artists on this song would ever want to upset or hurt anyone."
While she was sensitive to those who did not feel the song was in good taste, she defended Rita's right to write from her own perspective. "She really does have every right to tell her story because she's not doing it from an exploitative viewpoint: she's been with women and had relationships with women," she said.
All in all, Charli chocked it up to a learning experience. "It would be great to continue this dialogue in a positive way — not in an attacking way — so that people can learn about people's feelings, about people's sexualities and viewpoints," she said. "We can learn to not judge people before we get all the information. We can learn how certain words might make certain communities sad or upset."
In closing, she offered her sincere apologies. "I've known Rita for a very long time in this particular journey and in this particular story in her life. I would never want to take anyone's space in pop music, but Rita is somebody I've known for a very long time who has had queer experiences and [I felt] that perhaps this is a safe space for me to be on this record," she said. "I apologize to any people I've offended by that."