Liam Payne is again defending himself against accusations of homophobia.
At Wednesday’s One Direction “On The Road Again” concert in Columbus, Ohio, Payne introduced the song “Girl Almighty” by saying, “This is my favorite song off the last album, and it is about trying to find that number one woman of your life, which none of you can relate to, ’cause most of you are girls. Except for the boys in here — you know what I’m talking about.”
Some were bothered by the implication of Payne’s wording, which suggested the girls in the audience couldn’t relate to searching for the perfect girl, because girls only date guys. Payne was accused of being exclusionary toward the LGBT community, sparking some online backlash. Payne took to his Twitter account afterward to clarify.
“lol think some people take things to literal these days not gunna comment on it anymore you guys know what I meant it was meant in general,” Payne began. “I am in no way shape or form homophobic that’s a ridicules thing to say and I’m not here to offend people so take it as you will.”
He continued, “So annoying trying your hardest to make people happy in a show and you think about all the notes u tried to hit higher or a little sweeter. And all some people want to concentrate on was a throw away statement about a song that I love.”
Payne declared it a “crap end to a good day,” and went on to say, “Lol this is so insane the more I read I’m like wtf have u ever said something in the wrong way I’m sure every person here has lol.” He further declared, “I’m sorry to those I offended really I am but there’s no need for some of the things I’m being called.”
“I’m just here to make people smile. I kinda consider it my job role,” he added. A number of Directioners really appreciated that comment in particular, and trended “#WeLoveYouLiam” in the United States and worldwide to share all the ways he’s made them smile.
This is not, however, the first time Payne has been accused of homophobia. As Gossip Cop reported last year, Payne tweeted that he was a “big fan” of “Duck Dynasty” star Willie Robertson and had “big respect” for his “family values.” Some interpreted the tweet as an endorsement of the clan’s anti-gay views.
Payne defended himself, saying he was simply expressing his enjoyment of the show, and was not expressing approval for everything they say. He angrily went on to angrily complain about the media, writing, “What I gotta do to please you bastards.” TELL US: What do you think of Payne getting embroiled in a second homophobia controversy?