Ariana Grande has hit out at Piers Morgan for criticising the members of Little Mix.
The God Is a Woman hitmaker has taken the British TV host to task for messages he sent on Twitter earlier this week (ends23Nov18) suggesting the singers copied the Dixie Chicks in a recent promotional photo.
"Hey @LittleMix - when are you going to admit you stole this idea from @dixiechicks?", he wrote on Tuesday (20Nov18).
After he posted his message, Ariana's mother, Joan Grande, stepped in to defend the group.
"Honestly what is wrong with you @piersmorgan ?" she wrote. "Didn't your mother ever teach you, if you have nothing nice to say, don't say it...! @LittleMix..., did you ever hear of paying homage? And..well never mind."
Piers responded by explaining he rather see the singers put their talents on display instead of posing provocatively like they did in the photo, in which they are nude with the words "weak" and "slutty" written over their bodies.
"Hi Joan, my mother taught me to speak my mind & never be afraid to express honestly held opinion...," he replied. "(With) Little Mix, I'd just prefer they use their talent to sell records rather than their nudity. As your own daughter does...!"
However, Ariana has now stepped into correct Morgan, insisting she is not afraid to use her sexuality in her career.
"I use my talent AND my sexuality all the time because i choose to," she writes. "women can be sexual AND talented. naked and dignified. it's OUR choice. & (and) we will keep fighting til people understand. i say this w all due respect but thank u, next (sic)."
And after seeing several subsequent messages from Ariana and Piers, Little Mix are now praising the singer for sticking up for them.
"thank you, what we do with our bodies is our choice and we felt liberated owning the negative words thrown at us as women," they write. "We'll never stop talking/writing music about issues that affect so many women around the world. We have a voice to use it! we love you Ari the girls x (sic)."
