Kelly Rowland has received criticism online after she used the word "spastic" on The Voice Australia, where she sits as a coach.
The former Destiny's Child singer was speaking to host Sonia Kruger on Sunday night's (June 10) episode about deciding songs for artists, when the faux pas happened.
"When you're making the decision, you are kind of spastic," Kelly said. "You don't know what to do but you want to make the right decision."
The singer has since been criticised for using the word given its connotations, though some came to her defence:
Digital Spy has reached out to Kelly's representatives for comment and clarification.
As has been pointed out, the word "spastic" doesn't carry the pejorative meaning in the United States that it does in the United Kingdom and Australia.
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Instead, it is generally taken to mean overexcitable and clumsy, which is likely the context that Kelly was using it in – so it could have got lost in translation.
Meanwhile, last month Kelly teased that Destiny's Child could get back together once again after their epic reunion at this year's Coachella Festival.
"I mean, if the situation arises," she said. "You saw how much fun we had on stage together, but it's not something we've talked about.
"Michelle's getting ready for her wedding, Bey and Jay are on tour and I'm gearing up for a record. I'm excited for us because we're all doing different things, but extremely close. [We have] no plans, but never say never."
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
