Charli XCX speaks out over The 1975's Matty Healy kissed bandmate at Malaysian festival

Charli XCX has defended The 1975 frontman Matty Healy after he kissed his bandmate Ross MacDonald on stage in Malaysia, where same-sex relationships are illegal

Charli XCX has jumped to The 1975's Matty Healy's defence after he caused a stir for kissing his bandmate Ross MacDonald during a gig in Malaysia.

Lead singer Matty, 35, sparked controversy with a bold kiss shared with bassist Ross at Kuala Lumpur's Good Vibes music festival. It was an act that made waves in a country where same-sex relations are still outlawed. Yet pop sensation Charli, 32, has backed Matty's move, describing it as "a little divisive, but I think great art is divisive".

Chatting with Zane Lowe on his Apple Music 1 Show, the chart-topper shared her thoughts: "I can't speak on his behalf at all, but all I'll say from my perspective in terms of that show, is that I just really enjoy people who take a risk in terms of what they're putting out there artistically."

Charli, who teamed up with Matty for her star-studded album 'Brat' which also featured the likes of Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande and Robyn, expressed how keen she was to join forces with The 1975 frontman. She enthusiastically revealed: "He's like my brother now, and I hope he wouldn't mind me saying this, but I have an endless amount of respect for him as a songwriter and him as a person, but I sometimes want to strangle him."

It has been reported the band are being sued almost £2million for the kiss. Guidelines from the Malaysia Central Agency for the Application for Foreign Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (PUSPAL) imposed a ban on “kissing, kissing a member of the audience or carrying out such actions among themselves.”

According to Variety, legal papers were filed in the UK that specify Matty and the band were allegedly aware of the prohibition against such acts during the festival. They were reportedly paid $350,000 - around £270,000 - to perform and the festival and claims they agreed to abide by the set rules.

Festival organisers, Future Sound Asia, are seeking $2.4million, almost £1,900,000, due to numerous alleged violations to their contract. The court documents further take issue with Matty's drinking, undressing, and political talk, which is a standard party of The 1975's musical performances.

The 'Club Classics' artist betrothed to drummer George Daniel of The 1975 highlighted her long-time admiration for the band. Continuing her praise, she added: "Even before being with George, years and years ago, I've always been such a fan of their work. [Matty] is thinking of the way everything is digested in terms of their work, their artwork, their font, their videos, their everything it's very, very holistic."

In the same chat, Charli let on that she was fretting Lorde would "never speak to her again" after she didn't give her a heads-up about the tune 'Girl, So Confusing', which buzz had it, was all about the 'Royals' sensation. Charli owned up, confessing: "I was ready for her to never speak to me again. That could have been an outcome."

But then, flipping the script, the two artists joined forces and dropped a remixed version of the bop with Lorde featured, only weeks after the track first hit the airwaves.

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