Fifth Harmony star Normani Kordei waved goodbye to Twitter Saturday (August 6) after hitting her limit with racially charged tweets. The 7/27 singer says while she has learned to take criticism over the course of her four-year career which kicked off on The X Factor USA, she can no longer tolerate the disrespect aimed in her direction as the sole African American member of her group.
Before taking her hiatus, the singer opened up about her ongoing situation in an open letter to fans. “I’ve never been one to deny anyone of their opinions, but over the course of this last week and especially over the last 48 hours I’ve not just been cyber bullied, I’ve been racially cyber bullied with tweets and pictures so horrific and racially charged that [I] can’t subject myself any longer to the hate.”
To my fans: pic.twitter.com/7yICp10G5Z
— Normani Kordei (@NormaniKordei) August 7, 2016
Normani also acknowledged that like Leslie Jones before her, “I’m not the first black female celebrity to deal with this and I’m sure I won’t be the last” before clapping back at Twitter trolls for taking to social media to spread hate-filled messages. “Hiding behind a computer and putting people down, especially for the color of their skin doesn’t make you cool, it makes you a coward!”
Normani’s Fifth Harmony sisters stood by her decision by sharing her message with the rest of their fanbase. Camila, in particular, took to Twitter to condemn fans relying on feud rumors between the two as an opportunity to slander her group mate.
i stand by the words “love only”, meaning I won’t tolerate on my timeline any kind of hate, racism, or discrimination towards ANYONE. period
— Camila Cabello (@camilacabello97) August 6, 2016
You don’t have to hate on somebody else to support me- I don’t appreciate it and it’s not what I’m about.. Be kind or move on
— Camila Cabello (@camilacabello97) August 6, 2016
Zendaya also took to Twitter to lift up her industry peer as fans sent their love to the star using the hashtags #WeLoveYouNormani and #IStandWithNormani.
Stay strong baby girl, so much love for you😘👏🏽👏🏽 https://t.co/N59jCEFSyW
— Zendaya (@Zendaya) August 7, 2016
The sad part is that it’s so common, that type of racially charged hate as black woman in this industry, you deserve so much more sis.
— Zendaya (@Zendaya) August 7, 2016
How could someone want to tear down this smile? #IStandWithNormani pic.twitter.com/7EDHNyhsjO
— chy (@HTTP_DlNAH) August 7, 2016
#IStandWithNormani B/c no one should have to put up with racist and misogynistic comments. You are loved, Normani. pic.twitter.com/mnQqgjyps0
— #IStandWithNormani (@laurmaniskin) August 7, 2016
A Godiva chocolate glistening goddess! This black beauty deserves none of the hate she’s getting. #WeLoveYouNormani pic.twitter.com/cLpY18EDmP
— N I C H O L ? S (@Creat1ve) August 7, 2016
Don’t let the world change your smile, let your smile change the world.#WeLoveYouNormani pic.twitter.com/IusYRxnR5E
— paula. (@hnsccjauregui) August 7, 2016
#IStandWithNormani because black women shouldn’t have to take breaks from social networks due to the racial slurs they’re constantly getting
— kenza (@bellamkys) August 7, 2016
#IStandWithNormani because no one should ever be judged by the color of their skin. Normani is a beautiful soul, and deserves so much better
— ?mariana | #NDS (@trustnorminah) August 7, 2016
You’re such a sweet and kind soul. You deserve nothing but the best. I love you ? #WeLoveYouNormani pic.twitter.com/M8ea3oxImL
— Melli (@cabellosbiebs) August 7, 2016
And because she’s not online to respond to the outpour, some fans delivered their message directly to the source.
this is so beautiful #BlackIsBeautiful#WeLoveYouNormanipic.twitter.com/dgunH2N7nI
— lauren aesthetics (@Iaurenaesthetic) August 8, 2016