Lily Allen Addresses Racist Claims Over Her 'Hard Out Here' Video

While many were excited about Lily's new single "Hard Out Here"—and its corresponding video, some were offended by the clip, which touches on a wide range of issues.

The video starts with the singer apparently undergoing surgery to reduce her weight, while the surgeons openly critique her. Allen responds by attacking gender inequality, objectification of women and the struggles over self-image.

While the lyrics have generated rousing support from many feminists and equality activists, some have taken issue with the video, which features scantily dressed dancers while Allen is dressed modestly. The problem, according to some: most of the dancers are minorities, while Allen is out front.

Allen took to Twitter to provide some clarity, explaining that "if I could dance like the ladies can, it would have been my arse on your screens; I actually rehearsed for two weeks trying to perfect my twerk, but failed miserably. If I was a little braver, I would have been wearing a bikini too, but I do not and I have chronic cellulite, which nobody wants to see."

She also expounded on themes she touched on in her video, revealing that she wouldn't dress down because of her own insecurities. In the video, she mocks critics: "You should probably lose some weight...we can't see your bones."

Read her full response below.

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1. If anyone thinks for a second that I requested specific ethnicities for the video, they're wrong.

2. If anyone thinks that after asking the girls to audition, I was going to send any of them away because of the colour of their skin, they're wrong.

3. The message is clear. Whilst I don’t want to offend anyone. I do strive to provoke thought and conversation. The video is meant to be a lighthearted satirical video that deals with objectification of women within modern pop culture. It has nothing to do with race, at all.

4. If I could dance like the ladies can, it would have been my arse on your screens; I actually rehearsed for two weeks trying to perfect my twerk, but failed miserably. If I was a little braver, I would have been wearing a bikini too, but I do not and I have chronic cellulite, which nobody wants to see. What I’m trying to say is that me being covered up has nothing to do with me wanting to disassociate myself from the girls, it has more to do with my own insecurities and I just wanted to feel as comfortable as possible on the shoot day.

5. I'm not going to apologise because I think that would imply that I’m guilty of something, but I promise you this, in no way do I feel superior to anyone, except paedophiles, rapists murderers etc., and I would not only be surprised but deeply saddened if I thought anyone came away from that video feeling taken advantage of,or compromised in any way.

6. Ask the ladies yourselves @shalaeuroasia @monique_Lawz @ceodancers @TempleArtist @SelizaShowtime @melycrisp