ICYMI: Normani is back. On Friday, the singer released her new single ‘Wild Side’, a collaboration with Cardi B and a much-awaited follow-up to 2019s ‘Motivation’. But fans on social media were quick to notice that only a few hours before Normani’s return, fellow former Fifth Harmony member Camila Cabello announced new music of her own.
Late on Thursday night, shortly before Normani’s midnight release of her new track, Camila tweeted a pre-save link to her new song “Don’t Go Yet,” along with a teaser image for the upcoming single.
Many fans criticized Camila for the timing of her announcement, accusing her of attempting to overshadow Normani’s release and “ruin” her moment — with some fans even accusing Camila of racism.
The two former bandmates share a strained history. In 2019, when offensive remarks made online by Camila resurfaced, the Cinderella star released a statement apologizing for the racist language.
“When I was younger, I used language that I’m deeply ashamed of and will regret forever,” Camila said in the statement. “I was uneducated and ignorant and once I became aware of the history and the weight and the true meaning behind this horrible and hurtful language, I was deeply embarrassed I ever used it. I apologize then and I apologize again now.”
A few months after Camila issued her apology, Normani spoke publicly about the online racist hate she’s endured throughout her career and what it felt like to find out about Camila’s racist posts in a written addition to her cover story interview with ‘Rolling Stone’.
“It would be dishonest if I said that this particular scenario didn’t hurt me,” Normani said, referencing the Camila scandal. “It was devastating that this came from a place that was supposed to be a safe haven and a sisterhood, because I knew that if the tables were turned I would defend each of them in a single heartbeat. It took days for her to acknowledge what I was dealing with online and then years for her to take responsibility for the offensive tweets that recently resurfaced. Whether or not it was her intention, this made me feel like I was second to the relationship that she had with her fans.”
The replies to Camila’s announcement for her new single were full of mixed reactions: rejoicing, side-eyes, and staunch criticism alike. Normani fans were sprinkled throughout the responses — making sure to include the streaming and music video links to “Wild Side.”