Jess Glynne Faces Backlash After Using Offensive Trans Slur During Podcast Interview

The Hold My Hand singer has sparked controversy following an appearance on Mo Gilligan's podcast.

Jess Glynne has come under fire after a clip of her using an offensive slur about trans people was circulated on social media.

Last week, Jess was a guest on comedian Mo Gilligan’s podcast, and during her interview, the Hold My Hand singer used the slur while recalling a night out with friends.

In a preview clip for the episode posted on social media, Jess is heard telling the comedian: “This is probably the funniest bit, we got to the end of our trail or whatever, and it was like a t****y strip club thing, like.”

She is also seen laughing while describing her friend’s discomfort over being at the venue in question.

CW - t slur

Jess Glynne, you really could have worded this a lot better 🙄 pic.twitter.com/aRiYuIsYWl

— jacob but broken (they/them) (@ItsJacobEdward) March 7, 2021

Although the episode of The Mo Gilligan Podcast that the clip was taken from was seemingly uploaded on Friday 5 March, it is now no longer available to listen to on services such as Spotify or Apple Music.

HuffPost UK has contacted reps for Jess Glynne and Mo Gilligan for comment about the podcast.

Jess Glynne
Jess Glynne
Samir Hussein/WireImage

Since the weekend, the short video has been doing the rounds on social media, with many critics – including Drag Race UK’s Sister Sister, who performed to a Jess Glynne song prior to her elimination – calling out the Brit Award-winning star.

A slur that rolls out as easily as it did suggests that #JessGlynne doesn’t consider the t word a slur at all. The way it’s such an outdated term being used by someone within the lgbt community is a massive shame.

— I am Sister Sister (@sistersisterhun) March 7, 2021

As a community we can do better than this. It’s important as allies (when safe to do so) to correct people when they get pronouns/terminology wrong. Prevention rather than punishment. Cos lord it makes people look so idiotic and can be dangerous spewing slurs like that.

— I am Sister Sister (@sistersisterhun) March 7, 2021

The Jess Glynne video is double trash. There’s the slur of course - and the punchline of the whole story in which she uses the slur is that she takes a (presumably) straight/homophobic man to a queer safe space and how funny it is for her to see his reaction. She can get to fuck.

— Holly Stars (@hollywstars) March 7, 2021

TW / CW: T Slur.

➡️ Why didn't anyone around her stop and challenge her as soon as the T-word was said?
➡️ Why did the editing team not prevent it from being aired?
➡️ She has "people" to prevent and (I assume) educate!

FUCKS SAKE!#JessGlynne https://t.co/R69vucgGPT

— LesBeMums (@LesBeMums) March 7, 2021

I am slack jawed at the ignorance of everyone involved. It’s just obviously wrong and NO ONE in front nor behind the camera said anything - they even put it out 😮

— Paul Usher | ‘Time Don’t Heal’ Out Now! (@PaulUsher) March 7, 2021

what this whole jess glynne thing highlights is just how ignorant people are to transphobia et al

seems likely that her, mo gilligan & his team had no idea that word is a slur

I find that very easy to believe- as i have lots of friends & family who had no idea either

— dan egg (@dan_egg) March 7, 2021

I’m a big fan of Mo, but having Jess Glynne on the podcast and no one pulling her up on that T slur and it making the edit (which is now being used for the promo) ain’t the one!

— Steven 🐻 (@BearGoddard) March 7, 2021

Really Jess Glynne, did you really just say the T word? Even the presenter looks uncomfortable. Not cool at all. Educate yourself girl. 💙 https://t.co/3TJBQbpUcD

— Hayley Burrell (@HayleyJoBurrell) March 8, 2021

Jess has not addressed the controversy directly, but has been active on social media as recently as Monday morning, when she shared a post on her Instagram story in honour of International Women’s Day.

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