Johannesburg - Singer Rita Ora revealed that she was not scared to come out as bisexual especially after releasing her controversial song Girls which she received major backlash for.
During an interview with Stylist magazine Rita, who recently released her latest album Phoenix, opened up about coming out as bisexual and why she felt like she was ready to tell her truth.
“I wasn't scared. I waited for a reason, because none of the times before felt right,” explained Rita.
“I'm an adult, I felt like this was something I needed to do to move forward. I'm very proud of who I am and my journey to get here - everybody has to go through these things to learn about themselves.”
The Let You Love Me singer – who was criticised earlier this year for fetishising bisexual women in Girls which features rapper Cardi B, Charli XCX as well as singer Bebe Rexha – decided to come out about her sexuality in a formal apology she posted on Twitter.
READ MORE: Rita Ora and Cardi B kiss in this new video for a controversial song
Speaking about the single, which was reportedly inspired by Cara Delavigne, Rita said that she expected people’s surprised reactions.
“That was a really sensitive subject for me; it was my story and I knew it was going to be a bit of a shock for people because I'd never spoken about it in public before.”
The singer also expressed much of her gratitude to the LGBTQ+ community, stating that she wouldn’t be where she is today, and she had hoped that Girls would help those who are struggling to come out.
“This was a moment in time when I wanted to give confidence to girls who are trapped and feel like they can't tell their parents that they are gay. I wanted to give people that bit of hope to get through it,” she said.
“It was my story and my truth.”
Charli XCX told Rolling Stone magazine earlier this year that she wanted to learn from this experience.
“I try so hard to be as involved with the LGBTQ community as possible. Without that community, my career would not really be anything,” she said. Charli further explained that she came onto the song well aware of Ora’s relationships and saw the single as a “safe space.”
Rita Ora is not the first celebrity to stir up controversy with a single, Katy Perry - who released her break through hit I Kissed A Girl 10 years ago - also apologised for the song which she received criticism for.
Sources: Rolling Stone magazine, MTV, Stylist magazine
