Jessie J has had a contentious relationship with the LGBTQ community. When the UK songwriter-turned-pop-star first came to the U.S. with “Do It Like A Dude” and “Price Tag,” she identified publicly as bisexual, speaking about her relationships with women and men in interviews. But in 2014, she referred to her bisexuality as “a phase,” frustratingly participating in a stereotype for many bisexual people.
If J no longer sees herself a part of the community, she is instead, an ally. Last Pride, she told Billboard “The love and support I was shown then was overwhelming and has never stopped from the LGBTQ community. I felt accepted, understood and respected. The feeling was, and will always be, mutual.” She performed at a OnePulse Gala benefiting and honoring the survivors of Orlando, just months after the tragedy, and now, she’s including queer and trans women in her new video for her single, “Queen.”
Trans model (and, full disclosure, Grindr employee) Kayla Ward says working on the video was “the best experience she’s had since moving to L.A.”
“The song is uplifting and empowers you to love who you are,” she says. “As a trans woman, it is often difficult to feel accepted or that others validate your identity but, on this set, everyone was full of respect, love, and acceptance. To be included in such an amazing group of diverse, talented, and amazing women was everything!”
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