Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Nadine White Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter The Race Report
Normani has spoken out about the racist remarks her former bandmate Camila Cabello once posted online, saying she felt “hurt” by the situation.
In December, it was reported that racist comments Cabello made several years ago on Tumblr had resurfaced after a Twitter user shared a thread titled: “Exposing Camila Cabello’s racist and downright disturbing tumblr reblogs.”
One of the screenshotted posts showed Cabello using the “n” word, while other posts showed the musician reblogging memes that played into racial stereotypes.
Cabello shared a lengthy apology in response to the now-deleted Tumblr posts, writing: “When I was younger, I used language that I’m deeply ashamed of and will regret forever.
“I was uneducated and ignorant and once I became aware of the history and the weight and the true meaning behind this horrible language, I was deeply embarrassed I ever used it.”
During a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Normani was asked for her view regarding the posts made by her former Fifth Harmony bandmate.
The musician said she wished to be “concise” about how she addressed the issue, telling the interviewer that she would get back to them on that particular line of questioning.
After a couple of weeks, the 23-year-old sent her response to the question over email, writing: “I want to be very clear about what I’m going to say on this uncomfortable subject and figured it would be best to write out my thoughts to avoid being misconstrued, as I have been in the past.”
The “Motivation” singer said she “struggled” to talk about the subject because she did bit want it to be part of her “narrative”.
“But I am a black woman, who is a part of an entire generation that has a similar story,” she added.
“I face senseless attacks daily, as does the rest of my community. This represents a day in the life for us. I have been tolerating discrimination far before I could ever comprehend what exactly was happening.”
Normani stated she has had “direct and subliminal hatred” targeted at her for years due to the colour of her skin.
“It would be dishonest if I said that this particular scenario didn’t hurt me,” the recording artist said.
“It was devastating that this came from a place that was supposed to be a safe haven and a sisterhood, because I knew that if the tables were turned I would defend each of them in a single heartbeat.”
The singer recalled that it took Cabello “days” to acknowledge what Normani was going through online, “and then years for her to take responsibility for the offensive tweets that recently resurfaced”.
“Whether or not it was her intention, this made me feel like I was second to the relationship that she had with her fans,” Normani said.
The artist added that she believes “everyone deserves the opportunity for personal growth”.
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guestsShow all 82 1 /82Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Lil Nas X attended the 62nd Grammy Awards in a bright pink Versace suit with a matching cowboy hat and gold detailing.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Charlie Wilson arrived on the red carpet wearing a gold patterned tuxedo jacket.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Gary Clark Jr, dressed in a dark velvet suit, posed with wife Nicole Trunfio on the red carpet at the Grammys.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Rick Ross wore a black tuxedo and bedazzled sunglasses on the Grammys red carpet.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Nicole Trunfio attended the Grammys in a black mini dress with a statement bow.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Gloria Gaynor attended the Grammy Awards in a pink gown with sparkle details.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Common arrived on the red carpet in a maroon suit.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Lucky Daye opted for a pale turquoise suit on the red carpet.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Finneas O'Connell wore a floral patterned suit jacket on the red carpet. He completed the look with a black bow tie.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Ella Mai arrived on the red carpet in a red gown with structured ruffle detailing.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Trevor Noah attended the Grammys in a pale gold tuxedo jacket.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Tarriona Ball attended the Grammys in a pale blue gown with feathered statement shoulders.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Tanya Tucker attended the Grammys dressed in a leather suit.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Shania Twain arrived in a sheer black gown for the 62nd annual Grammys.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Lala Milan chose a bright red one-shouldered gown for the red carpet.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Chrissy Teigen arrived on the red carpet in a structured orange Yanina Couture gown alongside husband John Legend.
AFP via Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Blac Chyna arrived at the Grammys wearing a red long-sleeved gown, a popular colour choice of the night.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Dua Lipa attended the awards show in a white floor-length skirt with a matching top by Alexander Wang.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Lana Del Rey opted for a grey old Hollywood-style dress with fringe detailing for the Grammys.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Heidi Klum arrived on the red carpet wearing a nude gown.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Alessandra Ambosio wore a black and white outfit with a cape-like design on the Grammys red carpet.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Camila Cabello wore a black high-low strapless gown by Versace on the red carpet.
AFP via Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Usher attended the Grammys in a black outfit paired with a bedazzled white and black jacket.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Tyler the Creator also opted for a pink outfit, arriving on the red carpet in Bellhop-inspired pale pink pants and a jacket from his fashion line Golf Wang. The rapper completed the look with a hat and a suitcase.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Billie Eilish wore a green and black Gucci ensemble on the red carpet, which perfectly matched her hair colour. The singer paired the look with a black and green Gucci face mask.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Janina Gavankar chose a red gown for the red carpet at this year's Grammys.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Rosalia attended the awards show in a red leather gown with a fringed bottom.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests FKA twigs arrived on the red carpet in a pink and black off-the-shoulder gown.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Bebe Rexha chose to wear a black blazer and pants by Christian Cowan for the occasion. She paired the look with a crystal top.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Shawn Mendes opted for a magenta Louis Vuitton suit for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Sophie Turner arrived on the red carpet in a black Louis Vuitton mini dress with a patterned detail. She posed alongside her husband Joe Jonas, who also wore a suit by the designer.
AFP via Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Kevin Jones attended the Grammys wearing a patterned jacket, with his wife Danielle.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Priyanka Chopra wore a white gown with a deep neckline and statement sleeves to the Grammys, where she posed alongside husband Nick Jonas. On her nails, the actress had the number 24 painted, in tribute to Kobe Bryant, who died earlier in the day. The Jonas Brothers singer wore a gold Ermendegildo Zegna suit.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Brittany Howard arrived at the red carpet in a black and green silk outfit, complete with a floor-length jacket.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Billy Porter made another iconic red carpet appearance with a blue jumpsuit complete with a matching jacket, motorised hat and silver tassels.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Adrienne Warren opted for a one-shouldered gold gown for the awards show.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Gwen Stefani arrived on the red carpet wearing a short cream Dolce & Gabbana dress with thigh-high boots, alongside husband Blake Shelton.
AFP via Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Lil Nas X chose a bright pink Versace suit for the Grammy Awards, where he posed alongside Billy Ray Cyrus.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Ariana Grande arrived on the red carpet wearing a tulle grey Giambattista Valli ballgown, matching gloves, and her signature high ponytail.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Njomza arrived at the Grammys in a red cut-out gown with black strappy heels.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Ozzy Osbourne, dressed in a pinstriped long jacket arrived at the Grammys alongside his daughter Kelly.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Pia Mia opted for a silver fringed mini dress for the Grammys, which she paired with a white clutch.
AFP via Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Jameela Jamil arrived on the red carpet in a strapless Georges Chakra purple and black paneled gown.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Dreezy chose a structured black high-low gown for the award show.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Josephine Relli arrived at the Grammys in a yellow strapless gown.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Nikita Dragun arrived to the award show wearing a bedazzled gown with sheer sides and a feather boa.
AFP via Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Esperanza Spalding opted for a colourful neon jumpsuit for the awards show.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Jessie Reyez arrived on the red carpet in a red strapless gown.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Ricky Rebel arrived on the red carpet in a red statement outfit complete with a lace train and the words "Impeach This" written on his backside.
AFP via Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Steve Lacy attended the Grammy Awards in a grey jacket and skirt.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Joy Villa, known for using the red carpet to make political statements, arrived in a dress that read: "Trump 2020".
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Megan Pormer also chose to make a political statement on the red carpet, with a dress that read: "No War Iran".
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Ricky Rebel showed off his backside, which read: "Impeach This".
AFP via Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Shaun Ross opted for a pearl-embellished suit for the red carpet.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Lizzo arrived on the red carpet wearing an old Hollywood-inspired white strapless Atelier Versace gown with a slit, a look she completed with a long white feathered boa and a diamond necklace.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests TV host Keltie Knight arrived on the red carpet in a pink feathered dress accented with a silver belt.
AFP via Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Carmen Vandenberg and Rosie Oddie of Bones attended the award show in matching jewel-toned metallic jumpsuits and sunglasses.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Yola chose a bright pink gown for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards.
AFP via Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Geraldine Ross and Shaun Ross attended the awards show in matching cream outfits, with Shaun's outfit featuring pearl details.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Flor de Toloache arrived at the red carpet in matching white pantsuits detailed with gold embellishments.
AFP via Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Sibley Scoles chose a mini dress for this year's award show, which she paired with silver hair.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Jennifer Lahmers also opted for bright pink for this year's Grammys, arriving on the red carpet wearing a Stello dress with structured shoulder pads.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests JoJo attended the award show in a grey strapless dress with a thigh-high slit.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Jazzmeia Horn arrived on the red carpet in a red and orange patterned gown with a gold clutch.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Nathalie Joachim opted for a red structured gown for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Ty Dolla $ign arrived on the red carpet wearing black pants paired with a white pinstriped jacket and white shoes.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Nadia Shpachenko chose a black and gold gown with statement sleeves for the award show, which she paired with purple hair.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Ty Hunter opted for a unique outfit for this year's Grammy Awards, arriving on the red carpet in a structured Christoph Rumpf grey jacket and yellow boots.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Emily King chose a black bustier-inspired black suit for the red carpet.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Sara Gazarek arrived on the red carpet wearing a gown emblazoned with hummingbirds.
AFP via Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Theo Croker arrived at the Grammys in a textured gray and black suit, which he paired with white shoes.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Lilly Singh attended the event in a lime green one-shouldered gown.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Aymee Nuviola opted for a royal blue gown for the Grammys red carpet
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Laura Veltz arrived at the red carpet in a red lace dress with a ruffled bottom.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests British singer Jacob Collier wore a black glittering suit on the red carpet.
AFP via Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Tess Holliday wore a pink dress with a ruffled bottom on the red carpet for the 62nd Grammy Awards. She accessorised with a purse by Onna Ehrlich and jewellery by Natalie Mills.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Bobby Rush chose a purple suit for the red carpet at this year's Grammy Awards.
Getty Images
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Catherine Russell arrived on the red carpet in a black outfit paired with a satin top hat.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Filippo Cimatti chose a black outfit accented with deep red for the Grammys.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Tierney Sutton arrived on the red carpet in a black gown.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Wuki posed on the red carpet wearing a gray jacket paired with black pants.
Getty Images for The Recording A
Grammys 2020: The best-dressed guests Tessa Lark and Michael Thurber arrived at the Grammys in colourful patterned outfits.
Getty Images
“I really hope that an important lesson was learned in this. I hope there is genuine understanding about why this was absolutely unacceptable,” Normani concluded.
“To my brown men and women, we are like no other. Our power lies within our culture. We are descendants of an endless line of strong and resilient kings and queens. We have been and will continue to win in all that we do simply because of who we are.
“We deserve to be celebrated, I deserve to be celebrated and I’m just getting started.”
Normani and Cabello became members of the five-strong Fifth Harmony in while competing in The X Factor USA in 2012.
Each member of the group had auditioned for the show as solo contestants before being placed together by the show’s judges, which included Demi Lovato and Simon Cowell.
The group finished in third place in the competition, going on to win an American Music Award and a Billboard Women in Music accolade.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies