The 2015 winner of X Factor, Louisa, has had dozens of homophobic tweets exposed.
The singer, who says she was just 14 at the time of the tweets, repeatedly used the anti-gay slur “faggot” on her Twitter from 2013, just two years before she rose to fame on X Factor.
The singer was exposed after Birmingham Pride announced that she would be headlining this year’s event.
The singer, who has failed to release an album since X Factor victory, the only winner not to do so, issued an apology saying she was “young” and “foolish”.
— Louisa (@louisa) March 29, 2018
In a statement, she wrote: “When I was a school girl I made some inappropriate remarks on Twitter.
“I was young and foolish, and hanging around with the wrong crowd & didn’t know any better.
“That’s not an excuse, it’s an explanation.
“I’m sorry for some of the comments I made at that time on social media.
“I think it’s important for me to speak out about this and say that I don’t think it is right or appropriate for anyone to use derogatory language at any time or at any age no matter what the circumstances.”
After Birmingham Pride announced Louisa’s headline, a Twitter user published screenshots of some of the slurs.
Bit awkward for these homophobic tweets to come out on the day you announce her for your Gay Pride Festival ? pic.twitter.com/Oh097okxWY
— ҉HBIC (@muvvafucker) March 29, 2018
Birmingham Pride has not responded to the news and it is unclear at this stage whether the pride will keep Louisa as its headliner.
