Fifth Harmony's Normani Kordei quits Twitter after 'horrific' racist comments

All female act, Fifth Harmony

Fifth Harmony's Normani Kordei has quit Twitter after being sent racist messages.

The 20-year-old singer has decided to take a step back from the social networking website after being deluged with "horrific" comments.

She wrote in a statement posted on her account: "Over the past four years of being in the public eye I've learned to grow a thick skin to critics and those who may not like me.

"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 cyberbullied 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 (@Normani) August 7, 2016

The All in My Head singer found herself at the centre of a row when she was accused of shading her bandmate Camila Cabello by taking too long to say anything nice about her in a recent interview.

And after being deluged with unkind tweets, Normani slammed the "unjust hate and slander" she'd received and insisted the issue had been "completely blown out of proportion".

She wrote on Friday (05.08.16): "I would like to address an issue that has been completely blown out of proportion.

"It is a shame that after four years together as a group I have to address foolishness manufactured by those that have absolutely no idea what goes on. I have shown nothing but commitment for the success of Fifth Harmony even promoting on my days off but yet I always find myself as the target of unjust hate and slander. It's just not right.

"I'm not the first black female celebrity to deal with this and I'm sure I won't be the last. I want to take this moment to say Love goes much further than hate in this world. 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!

Photo / Twitter

"I have nothing but love for everyone, even my haters and I hope I can lead by example.
"I also want to thank Twitter for immediately jumping into action when they were alerted to the situation. I love you all!"

Meanwhile, Camila also spoke out to defend her bandmate after she quit Twitter.

She posted: "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.

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 (@Camila_Cabello) 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.(sic)"

- Bang! Showbiz