[1] It was written by the former three as well as Klenord Raphael, Ali Tamposi, Pardison Fontaine, Brian Lee, and producers Jonny Coffer, Watt, and Ben Billions.

[3] Rita Ora described the song as an "empowering anthem": "These past few years I've been so inspired by all the strong women I've seen who aren't afraid to be themselves.

Ora performed the song live for the first time at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend on 28 May 2017, with Charli XCX and Raye, one year before its release as an official single.

[11] American singers Hayley Kiyoko and Kehlani, both of whom identify as lesbians, criticized the song for being "harmful" to the LGBTQ community.

[14] Ora responded to criticism, as she wrote: "'Girls' was written to represent my truth and is an accurate account of a very real and honest experience in my life...

[16] Cardi B insisted on Twitter that she and the others "never [tried] to cause harm or had bad intentions with the song", referencing her own bisexuality and prior experiences with women.

[18] Rexha opted for a more defensive response, telling Entertainment Weekly, "My sexual life is nobody's business... but we're singing a song about kissing girls and that remains true to who I am.