Jesy Nelson has said she is "very aware" of being a white woman after she was slapped with countless allegations of "blackfishing".
'Blackfishing' is a term used to describe non-Black people who have altered their appearance to appear Black or at least racially ambiguous, by using makeup, hairstyles, or cosmetic procedures.
Per Vulture, the former Little Mix singer has been accused in the past of "blackfishing", allegations that have only accelerated with the release of her debut solo single 'Boyz' featuring rapper Nicki Minaj - her first single since leaving Little Mix 10 months ago.
Watch the music video for Jesy Nelson's new song 'Boyz' featuring Nicki Minaj:
The video, which also featured a cameo from Diddy, gained more than 3.7 million views in one day - but also garnered some criticism from online fans.
The track features Nelson rapping in an accent about being attracted to men who are "so hood". Its accompanying video also sees her sporting grills on her teeth.
Asked about the "blackfishing" allegations, she told Vulture: "The whole time I was in Little Mix I never got any of that. And then I came out of [the band] and people all of a sudden were saying it.
"I'm very aware that I'm a white British woman; I've never said that I wasn't."
As Vulture notes, Nelson "sing-talks, arguably in a Blaccent," with the lyrics "So hood, so good, so damn taboo / Know you know how to please me."
Nelson was also asked about her social media accounts blocking people who accused her of blackfishing: "I don't know about that. Maybe it was my team."
Per Vulture, the singer canceled two additional follow-up chats to address the blackfishing accusations and instead chose to supply a statement: "I take all those comments made seriously.
"I would never intentionally do anything to make myself look racially ambiguous, so that's why I was initially shocked that the term was directed at me."