Nicole Scherzinger speaks out after her controversial message for Russell Brand

Nicole Scherzinger had posted a comment on Russell Brand's Instagram after he celebrated Donald Trump's US election triumph - but it baffled the 46-year-old singer's fans

Nicole Scherzinger has today apologised after making a controversial comment on Russell Brand’s Instagram celebrating Donald Trump’s US presidential election win.

The 46-year-old singer concerned fans with the comment, which read: "Where do I get this hat!!!?" and had a prayer hands emoji and red heart emoji. She referred to Brand's selfie, holding up a "Make America Great Again"-style red hat - but instead of "MAGA", the print on the front read: "Make Jesus First Again."

Scherzinger, who was in The Pussycat Dolls for seven years, didn't appear to like the post or publicly endorsed a candidate. It seems the star deleted her photo, but fans were quicker and took to the comment section to tag her. One user wrote: "@nicolescherzinger it’s too late boo, we saw your comment," while another said: "@nicolescherzinger wtf girl, not it!"

But now she's left a lengthy apology on her own Instagram Stories. It reads: "I deeply apologize for the hurt caused by my recent engagement with some social media posts. When I commented on these posts, I made the mistake of not realizing they could easily be interpreted as being politically related and I apologize to anyone who understandably reached that conclusion."

The post continued: "Many presumptions are being drawn, which do not reflect who I am, what I stand for, or who I voted for... Many of the marginalized communities feeling hurt and concerned by the results of the presidential election are people I care about most. I stand with them, as I always have, throughout my life and career. If you know me, you know that."

The musician, born in Hawaii, added that during troubling times, she finds solace in her faith and thought the post encouraged people to lean on their faith. Her lengthy apology added: "I believed that the posts I engaged with were about encouraging people to choose love and faith - ‘Putting Jesus First'. For me, Christ embodies peace, compassion, hope, and - above all - unconditional love, especially for those who may feel it the least right now.

"I come from a place of love and I will always support values that bring us closer together. It’s so important we come together with compassion and love one another more now than ever.”

Her clarity may reassure her fans, many of whom expressed "disappointment" at Scherzinger following the bold post on Brand's page. Brand has been accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse following a joint investigation by Channel 4 ’s Dispatches programme, The Times and Sunday Times last year. The comedian, aged 49, has strongly denied all accusations about his behaviour which allegedly took place at the height of his fame between 2006 and 2013.