Rita Ora apologises over 'tone-deaf' bisexual song 'Girls'

Singer was criticised by fellow pop stars who felt the song catered to a male gaze

Rita Ora has apologised after her new single "Girls" was criticised for its "tone-deaf" portrayal to bisexuality.

The song, which featured Cardi B, Charli XCX and Bebe Rexha, appeared to suggest Ora herself was bisexual, and featured her singing the lyrics: "I'm 50-50 and I'm never going to hide it" before a chorus which went: "Red wine, I just want to kiss girls, girls, girls."

Ora said of the song upon its release: "For those who aren't afraid to rule the world, this is our anthem. A celebration of love." She also said it was inspired by 2001 song "Lady Marmalade" and Katy Perry's song "I Kissed A Girl".

However, the track received a negative reaction from some high profile critics including pop star Hayley Kiyoko, who wrote on Twitter that "Girls" did "more harm than good" for the LGBT+ community.

"A song like this just fuels the male gaze while marginalising the idea of women loving women," she said. "I don't need to drink wine to kiss girls; I've loved women my entire life."

R&B singer Kehlani, who recently said she defines as queer, criticised the song for apparent "awkward slurs, quotes... I never assumed it was for men lol just think certain quotes weren't progressive".

Ora has now responded to the backlash and apologised if "how I expressed myself in the song has hurt anyone".

"I would never intentionally cause harm to other LGBT+ people or anyone," she said. "[The song] 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."