Here is yet another development when it comes to the alleged incident between Azealia Banks and Russell Crowe: Azealia Banks wrote an apology letter to Zayn Malik, which she felt she needed to do if she was going to ask for an apology from Crowe. For those who need a refresher, in May, after the former One Direction singer and the rapper seemingly exchanged some words about his "Pillowtalk" music video, Banks took it to a new level by responding to Malik with racially-charged remarks and gay slurs, CNN reported at the time. This all caused her to get suspended from Twitter. Now, the 25-year-old artist feels the need to apologize to the singer, in light of recent events.
In addition to sharing Banks' entire apology letter with Bustle, her rep explained, "Azealia has realized that she can not ask Russell to apologize for his actions, when she has not apologized to Zayn for hers."
On Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Beverly Hills Hotel, there was an alleged altercation between Banks and Crowe, where she claims the Oscar-winning actor called her a "n*gger." She also filed a police report against Crowe, her rep confirmed to Bustle Monday. Though, she told Us Weekly in an interview published Thursday that she doesn't really want to press charges against Crowe anymore. "Realistically, to be honest, I really don’t want to," she said about pressing charges. "Because I just don’t want this in the media. I want my music out. I just want to f*cking put my music out."
On Tuesday, The Sun released an interview with Banks, where she gave her side of the story of what reportedly happened that night. Bustle has also reached out to Crowe's rep about the reported hotel fight, Banks' The Sun interview, and her filing of a police report, but has yet to receive a response. Anonymous sources at the party claimed to TMZ that Crowe kicked Banks out of the party after she allegedly threatened to throw a glass at guests and allegedly started yelling racial epithets. RZA, who took Banks as his guest to the party, has also commented on the alleged incident and claimed Banks was at fault.
All of this has led to Banks writing Malik an apology letter, which you can read in its entirety here:
Dear Zayn,
There are no words that can fully express how sorry I am. Recent events have taught me the importance of taking accountability for ones actions. I want and need to say I am sorry, I was wrong.
I reached out, on Twitter, to congratulate you on leaving One Direction and finding your own path. Many artists sell their souls to this business and sacrifice their happiness for a career; walking away took bravery, strength, formidable principles and a powerful sense of self-worth. I applaud you for this.
After my tweets, you tweeted something completely unrelated to me and I mistook it for a personal attack. This set me off and I began a reckless and unacceptable rant; but every cloud has a silver lining and what happened has taught me that not everything is about me and not everything is directed at me. Thank-you for teaching me this, it is a lesson that I desperately needed to learn.
As a black woman, in America, I sometimes forget that there are words and comments that hurt other communities. At times, I am so consumed by my own struggle, and the struggle of my race, that I forget to consider the hardships other minorities continue to endure.
Coming from an ethnicity that is largely discriminated against does not warrant a license to use derogatory, abusive terminology nor does it give me the right to make hurtful remarks. I apologise [sic] not only to you, Zayn, but to all those I hurt and offended. I am not cruel, nor am I heartless or vindictive. There is a lot of love in my heart and there is good in my soul. What I did was wrong and I am committed to becoming a better person.
Zayn, I think you are enormously talented and “Pillowtalk” is an incredible song. I wish you success, love and happiness in all your personal and professional endeavours [sic]. Throughout my transgressions you remained a gentleman and I applaud you for displaying class and maintaining a level head. The world could learn a lot from you and I hope you can find room in your heart to accept my sincerest apologies.
Yours faithfully,
Azealia Banks
In May, CNN reported that Banks did tweet somewhat of an apology to Malik, which read, "Big apologies to anyone who was offended by any of the things I said. Not sorry I said it. But sorry for the way I made people feel." Malik's rep declined to comment on the letter.
