06 February 2023 , 19:46
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Harry Styles has divided fans with his controversial "people like me" acceptance speech at last night's Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
The As It Was and Watermelon Sugar hitmaker made the divisive comments while on stage after scooping Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of the Year for Harry's House.
Former One Direction band member Harry, 29, caused quite a stir when suggesting that global award wins don't "happen to people like me very often".
Despite coming from rather humble beginnings back in England, and even working in a bakery as a youngster, some fans weren’t convinced with his choice of words.
Harry has divided opinions with his Grammys speech (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)"I gotta be honest I can’t think of a type of people this happens for more," blasted one follower on social media after hearing the speech live.
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While another commented: "He was middle (upper middle?) class growing up."
Seemingly jumping to Harry's defence, another wrote: "I am British (and Northern) and anyone in Britain knew exactly what he meant.
"A working-class boy from the North isn't normally the type of people that becomes as successful as him in the UK. It would have been seen as a success to just finish high school."
"In what way was he working class," probed one follower, clearly not a fan of Harry's speech.
Some fans argue that Harry is 'not working class' (Variety via Getty Images)Quickly responding, one Harry fan explained: "He was working in a bakery. His mom used to take him to a restaurant, and it was like a celebration for him."
Taking the side of critics, one fan replied: "[Harry] grew up in the 18th-least deprived ward in the entire UK in the middle of Cheshire.
"I've got nothing against him and find him quite likeable, but he is absolutely not working class."
Seeming to throw in a joke, one replied: "Yes you’re right, Harry Styles was famously working at his local bakery to put food on the table of his struggling family."
He stunned at the Grammys in flamboyant outfits (AFP via Getty Images)
Harry took to the stage for a performance (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)Last night, Harry turned heads with several flamboyant outfits on both the red carpet and while performing on stage.
"I think like on nights like tonight, it's obviously so important for us to remember that there is no such thing as bests in music," he said in his full stage speech.
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"I don't think any of us sit in the studio thinking making decisions based on what is going to get us one of these," Harry explained.
He added: "This is really, really kind. I'm so, so grateful.
"I'm going to pass it over to my collaborators who are -- I'm just so this doesn't happen to people like me very often. And this is so, so nice. Thank you very, very much."