The 19-year-old singer said that no one in her family or close circle has ever used that term and it was something she only heard in the song. “regardless of my ignorance and age at the time, nothing excuses the fact is that it was hurtful,” she pointed out. “and for that i am sorry.”
Billie addressed the other accusation that she was using an Asian accent. As she described, it was her “speaking in a silly gibberish made up voice.”
“something i started doing as a kid and have done my whole life when talking to my pets, friends, and family,” she explained. “it is absolute gibberish and just me goofing around, and is in NO way an imitation of anyone or any language, accent or culture in the SLIGHTEST.”
The “Your Power” musician reiterated that she was sorry for the pain she may have caused anyone who saw the footage.
“regardless of how it was interpreted i did not mean for any of my actions to have caused hurt to others and it absolutely breaks my heart that it is being labeled now in a way that might cause pain to people hearing it,” she expressed. “i not only believe in, but have always worked hard to use my platform to fight for inclusion, kindness, tolerance, equity and equality.”
Billie concluded her message, “I hear you and I love you.”