Back in December 2019, Liam Payne received major backlash from LQBTQ+ fans over one song from his debut album, LP1, called “Both Ways.” Some fans claimed that the 26-year-old was “fetishizing” bisexual women in the tune, which seemingly detailed a sexual encounter with two women. Now, the One Direction member has issued an apology for the controversial track.

“I am sorry to anyone who got offended by certain songs or different things on the album for sure,” he said. “It was never my intention with any of the writing or the things I was doing. I was just challenging myself in different areas. Looking back on it now, it was just a moment in time for me.”

The singer explained that while he was writing LP1, he was going through a “very confusing time” and dealing with “a lot of personal things.” He also explained that after he released his hit track “Strip That Down” in 2017, he felt like he was “pigeonholed.”

“I had writing to do with ‘Strip That Down’ but I didn’t necessarily write the song,” the “Familiar” crooner explained. “After that, a lot of the songs I got sent from then on were all sexually based. I was pigeonholed into this kind of thing and of course, I am a young guy I am interested in that sort of stuff, I like the idea of the songs and the grooves or certain vibes so I was like, ‘OK, let’s go for it.'”

Moving forward, the pop star promised that his music will have a “less sexy” sound.

Despite photo shoots or whatever else you may see from me I am a lot more chill about things these days. It is a different direction with the label and the management, it’s a rejuvenation rather than going down that route again,” he concluded. “The music I am looking at now is a lot different. Getting back in the studio I really am looking at what the messages are I want to say rather than just going through the motions of making a song, putting it together and going, ‘Yeah, that sounds good,’ and putting it out. It isn’t really the way to do it.”

Love J-14? Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for fun, exclusive videos with your favorite stars.