Noah Cyrus apologises for 'racist' Instagram post defending Harry Styles

Noah Cyrus apologises for 'racist' Instagram post defending Harry Styles after allegedly calling Candace Owens a 'nappy ass ho'.
Noah Cyrus, Harry Styles. Photo credit: Getty; Vogue

US pop star Noah Cyrus says she is "horrified and truly sorry" for a comment deemed by some as racist she made while defending Harry Styles on Instagram.

The 20-year-old younger sister of Miley Cyrus posted about the former One Direction star's recent fashion shoot, which was criticised by some online including controversial commentator Candace Owens.

"He wears this dress better than any of you nappy ass heauxz [sic]," Noah wrote on an Instagram Story post.

'Nappy' can be used as a racist term and social media users assumed Noah was using it in reference to Candace, who is Black.

Following a backlash, she deleted the post and published a new message apologising for it.

"I am mortified that I used a term without knowing the context and history, but I know now and I am horrified and truly sorry," said Noah.

"I will never use it again. Thank you for educating me. I in no way meant to offend anyone. I am so, so sorry."

Noah Cyrus apologises for 'racist' Instagram post defending Harry Styles after allegedly calling Candace Owens a 'nappy ass ho'.
Photo credit: Instagram / Noah Cyrus
Noah Cyrus apologises for 'racist' Instagram post defending Harry Styles after allegedly calling Candace Owens a 'nappy ass ho'.
Photo credit: Instagram / Noah Cyrus

However, many social media users aren't satisfied with the apology.

"Noah Cyrus saying she didn't know the 'history' of the word is such a perfect example of non-black people freely messing around with black things with no repercussions until they finally trip up and now get a chance to play the 'I'm learning, please educate me" card," tweeted @snowysuns.

"White women will pair their injected lips with a do-rag sitting on top of straightened hair and say whatever they want to until enough black people get mad all at once and suddenly it's all a 'learning experience'."

Another Twitter user added: "Why is Noah Cyrus lying for? What else could nappy-headed hoes mean?"

Meanwhile, Harry had already replied to Candace himself, so other social media users are joking about how frustrated he may be with Noah's addition to the conversation.