Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall was applauded for her apology for Little Mix not starring drag kings in their music video.
She vowed she won't let "the fear of f**king up" stop her from working towards being the best ally she can be to her LGBTQ+ fans.
The 28-year-old has been a dedicated supporter of the gay community, though she admitted the band "fell short" with their Confetti music video in April this year.
The band - completed by Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards - took on male alter-egos for the club-themed clip, starring alongside Drag Race UK queens A’Whora, Tayce and Bimini Bon Boulash.
However, Jade said the band was called out by those who think they should have included pro drag kings in their act seeing as they were using the art form by performing as men in the skit.
In an open letter on the importance of being an ally, Jade agreed and has said she’s “very much learning” to be as supportive as possible.
Jade wrote on Metro.co.uk : “You can have the right intentions and still fall short. As an open ally I should have thought about that, and I hadn’t, and for that I apologise.
“Since then I’ve been doing more research on drag king culture, because it’s definitely something I didn’t know enough about, whether that was because it isn’t as mainstream yet mixed with my own ignorance.”
“But the point is we mess up, we apologise, we learn from it and we move forward with that knowledge,” she added.
“Don’t let the fear of f**king up scare you off. And make sure you are speaking alongside the community, not for the community.”
The piece was praised by fans, with some saying her outspoken support for the LGBTQ community helped them come to terms with their own sexuality and come out to their family and friends.
“This incredible woman inspired me to come out to my friends & family back in 2018 and she even tweeted to congratulate me afterwards,” one fan wrote.
“Everything Jade does for the LGBTQ+ community is honestly so incredible and in turn gives many people like myself a proper chance at a happy life!”
“I just wish jade to know how much I feel accepted when it comes to her,” said another.
“It really feels incredible to feel the love and support of my favourite artist. I love you so much Jade. thank you for being THAT ally to the LGBT community. We need you.”
Confetti was the band’s fourth single from their album of the same name, and was the first single as a threesome following the exit of Jesy Nelson.
Jesy is now releasing her own music, with Little Mix now taking a short break as Perrie and Leigh-Anne are both pregnant.
The girls both announced they were expecting their first children within a week of each other.
Perrie is currently dating footballer Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain while Leigh-Anne is engaged to Andre Grey.
Jade is currently dating Feel Good actor and Rizzle Kicks singer Jordan Stephens.
