Rita Ora Releases Her 'Girls' Video

Rita Ora has dropped the video for her controversial single, "Girls."

The track features guest stars Cardi B, Charli XCX, and Bebe Rexha, the visuals find Ora presiding over an all-female garden party. She lounges on a chaise as women lie leisurely around her; Charli leads a late night rager in the woods; Rexha strides around a mirrored room; and Cardi B seduces Ora as a hologram in the sky, even stealing a quick kiss.

If you remember the song sparked widespread backlash within the LGBTQ+ community. Queer-identifying artists including Kehlani and MUNA publicly decried the track, with Hayley Kiyoko calling it "downright tone-deaf" and marginalizing to the "idea of women loving women."

The responses of the artists involved have been mixed. Ora, Rexha, and Cardi B all defended their work on "Girls," apologizing for any harm it may have caused but insisting they were coming from a place of authenticity, as they'd all had same-sex experiences.

"'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," Ora said in a previous statement. "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."

Charli XCX, meanwhile, said their intention was never to "upset or hurt anyone" and that she hoped they could all learn from the conversation surrounding the single.

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