Rita Ora and Cardi B kiss in music video for bisexual anthem ‘Girls’
Rita Ora has dropped the video for her controversial track “Girls,” which shows her kissing rapper Cardi B.
The video portrays Ora reclining on a chaise longue surrounded by semi-clothed women and tropical greenery in a setting evocative of the Classical world.
Throughout the video, the women can be seen kissing one another and holding hands.
Towards the end of the track, the singer watches Ora rap on a futuristic projected image – before joining her and briefly kissing the rapper on the lips.
Comments beneath the video include: “YESSS THE KISS,” and: “My bi self is shook.”
Ora’s song “Girls” has proved controversial after it received a backlash from LGBT musicians, which ultimately lead to Ora apologising over the track.
The singer, who PinkNews revealed has tweeted that people are “TOOO HOMO” and “sooo HOMO,” also appeared to come out during the apology.
“Girls,” a song with Charli XCX, Carli B and Bebe Rexha which Ora has said is “definitely” a bisexual anthem, was torn apart by Kehlani and Hayley Kiyoko, who called it “downright tone-deaf.”
Rita Ora on stage (Kevin Winter/Getty)
In response, Ora defended her song, writing on Twitter: “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 and this is my personal journey,” she added, appearing to confirm that she is attracted to women, which the singer implied last month.
She added: “I am sorry [if] how I expressed myself in my song has hurt anyone. I would never intentionally cause harm to other LGBTQ+ people or anyone.
(ritaora/twitter)
Related: How to apologise for homophobia
“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,” continued Ora.
“I’m ever thankful to my 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.”
Kiyoko, know to her fans as ‘Lesbian Jesus,’ criticised “Girls” after it came out on May 11, saying: “Every so often there come certain songs with messaging that is just downright tone-deaf, which does more harm than good for the LGBTQ+ community.
Hayley Kiyoko (Randy Shropshire/Getty)
She added: “A song like this just fuels the male gaze while marginalising the idea of women loving women.”
“I don’t need to drink wine to kiss girls; I’ve loved women my entire life,” continued Kiyoko, who has repeatedly portrayed lesbian relationships in her songs and videos.
“This type of message is dangerous because it completely belittles and invalidates the very pure feelings of an entire community.”
The star, who has popularised the best name for 2018 – 20GayTeen – finished: “We can and should do better.”
Kehlani (Christopher Polk/Getty)
Kehlani said sentiments contained within the track “weren’t progressive,” adding that “there. were. harmful. lyrics.”
However, others, including Cara Delevingne and collaborator on the track Charli XCX, have defended Ora.
Cardi B revealed following the release of the track that she has had “experiences” with other women. Her sister recently came out as bisexual.
