Charli XCX has called out all the negative comments surrounding her upcoming collaboration with Sam Smith.
The 35-year-old singer described the entire ordeal as "disheartening" after she was subjected to second-hand abuse following the news that she would be releasing new music with Sam.
The upcoming song titled 'In The City', which is set to be released later this week, is from Charli's sixth album and will mark the first song she's released since 'Speed Drive', which features on the Barbie soundtrack.
Taking to her TikTok account on Tuesday (October 17), the 'Vroom Vroom' singer called out the hate against her fellow artist and friend.
"Hi everyone. I’m about to release a song with Sam Smith," Charli says while dressed in a fluffy gown with clips holding strands of her hair back. "The experience so far has been really interesting because never in my life have I seen somebody receive so many hateful comments online."
She continued: "It’s obviously been really disheartening, but at the same time, I’m so proud of Sam’s ability to withstand that because I know that certainly couldn’t withstand it."
She also gave Sam a shoutout, adding: "So I just want to say, Sam, I love you. I love our song together, and I am in awe of your strength."
Have a look at the full video below:Despite the message of solidarity, it seems as though some of the singer's fans were too focused on something else entirely - asking her for a solo version of the song.
"So no solo version I guess," one user commented under the 45-second video, yet again proving why Charli had to put out the message in the first place.
Others also followed suit with another stating: "We just want a solo release!!! No hate."
A third also chimed in with: "We need that solo version, babes."
On the other hand, some people heard Charli loud and clear and offered kind words of support for both singers.
"I love Sam Smith, they're amazing and beautiful," wrote one user while another added: "Can someone tell me why y'all started hating Sam?? They're incredibly talented, I don't get it."
Sam, best known for their songs 'Stay With Me,' 'Too Good at Goodbyes' and 'Unholy', has previously spoken out on the hate they have received over the years but more particularly since they came out as non-binary in 2019.
Speaking to Zane Lowe on his Apple Music show, they said that the most difficult thing about coming out was the public barrage of hate.
"I think the only negatives in the struggle have been my public life and my job, and the amount of hate and s**tiness that came my way was just exhausting. It was really hard,” they told Lowe. "This isn’t me sitting at home Googling my name... it was in the f**king news. It was hard not to look. I can deal with not Googling myself, not reading comments.
"That’s something I can control," they continued. "What people don’t realize with trans non-binary people in the UK is... it’s happening in the street."
The news of Charli's defense comes shortly after the star shared a teaser of the new song on social media last week.
The artist shared a snippet of the track, which appears to be an upbeat dance-pop track.
The lyrics "I never thought I would find it, but I found what I was looking for/I found it in the city, in the dark/In the city, in your heart" could be heard in the short clip.
'In The City' is set to be released on October 19.
