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Rita Ora is getting slammed for seemingly condoning a relationship that amounts to child abuse. Watch below.
Ora first revealed in 2013 that, at 14 years old, she was in a relationship with a 26-year-old man (see video below). The issue is now resurfacing because the illicit romance is addressed in a new, unauthorized book about the British star. Hot Right Now: The Definitive Biography of Rita Ora hits shelves on Thursday.
Speaking on “The Conversation” with Amanda de Cadnet, Ora had said the relationship with the unnamed man was her first, and the host noted, “It’s called child abuse now.” The singer responded, “It is child abuse, really, isn’t it? I mean, I don’t want to say I suffered it, because I wanted it.”
“I don’t want to say I was forced to do it,” she continued. “I don’t want people to think I was abused as a kid. I was definitely more mature than I should have been at the age of 14.” She later said the romance made her feel “sexy” and “confident,” but added, “Now I know he listened to me because he wanted to have sex with me.”
The resurfaced clip has brought an onslaught of criticism from people who believe her comments give the impression that such a relationship is okay because she “wanted it.” One person on Twitter, for instance, posted, “I want to know one person other then rita ora who actually thinks child abuse makes them more confident.” Another said, “As a abuse victim from the age of 5. I don’t think Rita ora should be a role model for are children get her off xfactor.”
A different individual wrote to Ora, “Please address this you have so many young girls who follow you, a dangerous statement here needs clarity.” The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children even said in a statement, “Those in the public eye should think about the effect their words can have on those who look up to them.”
Ora has not responded to the outcry. The comments can be seen in the clip below, as well as the interview video beginning at the 8:30-mark. Tell us what you think.
