Kevin Mazur/WireImageLiam Payne wants to make one thing clear: he is not a homophobe.
During a recent One Direction concert, the 21-year-old singer introduced the song "Girl Almighty," and in doing so, angered some of the boy band's fans. "This is my favorite song off the last album [Four], and it is about trying to find that No. 1 woman of your life, which none of you can relate to, 'cause most of you are girls," Payne told fans. "Except for the boys in here—you know what I'm talking about."
As a result, some Twitter users accused Payne of disregarding same-sex couples.
Payne defended himself in a series of tweets overnight. "lol think some people take things to literal these days not gunna comment on it anymore you guys know what I meant it was meant in general," he told his 20.8 million Twitter followers.
"I am in no way shape or form homophobic that's a ridicules thing to say and I'm not here to offend people so take it as you will," Payne tweeted. "So annoying trying your hardest to make people happy in a show and you think about all the notes u tried to hit higher or a little sweeter. And all some people want to concentrate on was a throw away statement about a song that I love. Crap end to a good day. Lol this is so insane the more I read I'm like wtf have u ever said something in the wrong way I'm sure every person here has lol. I'm sorry to those I offended really I am but there's no need for some of the things I'm being called. I'm just here to make people smile I kinda consider it my job role." Payne's bandmates—Niall Horan, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson—have not weighed in on Twitter.
In happier news, the boy band said Tuesday that it will headline the Apple Music Festival in London in September. One Direction joins headliners Disclosure, Florence + the Machine and Pharrell Williams. Formerly known as the iTunes Festival, the free 10-day fest is broadcast live on iTunes and on demand on Apple Music. Apple's Beats 1 radio station will also air backstage content. "Can't believe we get to headline Apple Music festival!" Horan tweeted. "Gonna be great!"
Watch the video below to find out what Payne thinks of stardom and social media: