Liam Payne apologizes for 'biphobic' lyrics of 'Both Ways' after backlash over fetishizing bisexuality
Liam Payne was accused of being 'biphobic' with the release of his song 'Both Ways' where his lyrics stated, "sharing that body". The English singer and songwriter, who rose to fame as a member of the boy band 'One Direction,' recently apologized after the accusations took over Twitter.
"Stop making bisexuality into a fetish and stereotyping it for a way to have threesomes. #liampayneisoverparty," tweeted a user.
The single was released by the 26-year-old in December and fans gunned for his throat claiming he was "fetishizing" bisexuality. Part of the lyrics included the sentences, "Lovin' the way she's turning you on, switching the lanes like a Bugatti Sport. Nothing but luck that she got me involved, yeah. Flipping that body, go head, I go tails, sharing that body like it's our last meal." Payne is no stranger to releasing sexual songs or lyrics but for this song, he was surely slammed with #liampayneisoverparty hashtag trending on Twitter.
"I’m scared. as someone who is bisexual, i’m very scared. one of the men I once looked up to thinks it’s ok to write lyrics like THIS. i’m so mad. #liampayneisoverparty," tweeted one user.
In an interview with Daily Star, the father-of-one finally spoke of the controversy revealing that he didn't mean to offend anyone with the song or the lyrics. "I am sorry to anyone who got offended by certain songs or different things on the album, for sure. It was never my intention with any of the writing or things I was doing. I was just challenging myself in different areas. Looking back on it now, it was just a moment in time for me," said Payne.
"#liampayneisoverparty we don’t stan men using bisexual women as objects for their pleasure. bisexuals wanting threesomes is the worst fucking stereotype stop being so biphobic my god," tweeted another user.
He continued to explain the behind the scenes events of having been sent lyrics with sexually aggressive tones, saying, "I had writing to do with Strip That Down but I didn't necessarily write the song. After that, a lot of the songs I got sent from then on were all sexually based. I was pigeonholed into this kind of thing and of course, I am a young guy I am interested in that sort of stuff, I like the idea of the songs and the grooves or certain vibes so I was like 'Ok let's go for it.'" 'Strip That Down' was Paynes extremely successful debut single.
Keeping sexually suggestive music on the back burner, Payne is now promoting his new single 'Midnight' along with teasing the possible reunion of the band 'One Direction.' Speaking to James Corden on the 'Late Late Show', Payne said, "I'm not allowed to say too much obviously because I would be giving it away. We've been speaking a lot more at the moment, I think we are all feeling that that ten year... it's a very special moment." DailyMail reported that it was suggested by Payne that he has only spoken to Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan but did not mention Harry Styles or Zayn Malik.