Rita Ora has been condemned as a “traitor to women” for collaborating with Chris Brown because of his previous domestic violence conviction for assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Rihanna.
The singer, 24, was criticised after releasing her new single, ‘Body on Me’, which features Brown, last week. Ora has defended him in the past as “strong, powerful, and someone that is important to me personally and professionally” and said she “loved him on different levels”.
"I see how he treats his people and he's a good person with a good heart and a lovely family,” Ora told The Sun in June. "It's really nice that we finally got together because, regardless of what's happened, the song is just amazing.”
Ora's decision to defend Brown and promote their single on her Twitter page saw many accuse her of abandoning her feminist values and of condoning domestic vicolence.
I see @RitaOra has made a song with @ChrisBrown. Not really sure why she wants to show her young fans that she supports domestic violence.
; Richard Major (@RMajor86) August 9, 2015
@loubradley Rita Ora's laissez faire approach take on domestic violence.
; Andy (@andyetc) August 7, 2015
@RitaOra a @chrisbrown featured single is not how I hoped you'd break the U.S. #zerotolerance #feminism #domesticabuse #BodyOnMe
; Alex Jackman (@glamorouslynrml) August 7, 2015
And that's just on @RitaOra increasingly Blond&Bare imaging. Her support for #domesticabuse via praising @chrisbrown is TheStraw #feminist
; Daniella Maison (@Ladymaison) August 10, 2015
@RitaOra don't you think its wrong when #DomesticAbuse is romanticised? Masking the warning signs won't help when 1in4 women suffer 2 pw die
; 50 shades of abuse (@50shadesisabuse) December 5, 2013
rita ora: my new album is all about women sticking together!!! #feminism!!!! rita ora: [literally collaborates with a known domestic abuser]
; Lex (@_lecks_) August 6, 2015
@RitaOra Why did you have to work with Chris Brown? He's an abuser and a lowlife. Disappointing.
; Mia (@miamakk) August 6, 2015
@JuiceFM @RitaOra @chrisbrown traitor to women #wifebeater
; AaronJosephBaird (@AaronJosephBird) August 6, 2015
So I guess @RitaOra is over that whole feminism thing by featuring @chrisbrown on her new single.
; Bobby (@TheBobbyHall) August 7, 2015
Brown was sentenced to five years probation for the 2009 attack on Rihanna where he hit, choked and bit the singer in a car. His career slumped after this incident but Brown has gradually rebuilt himself, releasing five albums in the following six years.
The Independent has contacted representatives for Ora and Brown for comment.
