In a heartfelt gesture of accountability, songwriter Ester Dean has penned an open letter to singer Keri Hilson, addressing the long-standing controversy surrounding the 2009 remix of “Turnin’ Me On.” The remix included lyrics perceived as a diss toward Beyoncé, a situation that has shadowed Hilson’s career for over a decade.
A Decade-Long Misunderstanding
Hilson recently opened up about the incident, revealing that she did not write the contentious lines and was pressured into recording them early in her career. In an exclusive interview, she stated, “I did not want to do that.” Hilson emphasized her admiration for Beyoncé and expressed regret over the situation, noting that her silence stemmed from fear of further harm to her career.
Ester Dean, co-writer of the controversial verse, stepped forward to accept responsibility for its impact. She acknowledged that the lyrics were immature and harmful, stating, “I was young and didn’t fully grasp the consequences of my words.”
An Open Letter of Accountability from Ester Dean
In her open letter, Dean expressed deep remorse for her role in the controversy. She wrote, “I want to publicly apologize for the pain my words caused you. It was never my intention to harm your career or personal life.” Dean continued, “I admire your strength and resilience in facing the backlash alone for so many years.”
Hilson has previously discussed the emotional toll the incident took on her, including a seven-year battle with depression. She revealed that the experience left her emotionally scarred and hesitant to revisit the topic for years.
The open letter from Dean arrives as Hilson prepares to release her new album, “We Need to Talk,” on April 18. The album marks her return to the music industry and a new phase in her life focusing on love, drama, and redemption.
Dean concluded her letter by expressing hope for healing and reconciliation, stating, “I hope this message brings some peace and allows us both to move forward.”