Liam Payne is not homophobic, and here's his Twitter rant to prove it

Just before One Direction performed their song "Girl Almighty" in Columbus on Tuesday (Aug. 18), Liam Payne commented on why it's his favorite song from Four. Unfortunately for Liam, his favorite tune has now declared him homophobic -- at least according to the Internet.

Introducing the song and explaining its meaning, Payne said, "It is about trying to find that number one woman of your life, which none of you can relate to, because most of you are girls. Except for the boys in here, you know what I'm talking about." Almost immediately, his remarks were under fire for being too heteronormative, and he was accused of being homophobic.

Photos of One Direction from over the years:

One Direction's Liam Payne Feels 'Cornered Like an Animal' in New York City, Wishes He Was Harry Potter

Payne initially responded with a lighthearted explanation for the comment on his Twitter later that night, writing, "lol think some people take things to literal these days not gunna comment on it anymore you guys know what I meant it was meant in general." He then addressed the accusation head-on: "I am in no way shape or form homophobic that's a ridicules thing to say and I'm not here to offend people so take it as you will."

Within the next 30 minutes, Payne continued to defend himself in a series of tweets, making sure he added an apology to prove his point further. "I'm sorry to those I offended really I am but there's no need for some of the things I'm being called," he wrote. "I'm just here to make people smile, I kinda consider it my job role."

See Payne's entire defense below.

More from Billboard.com:

• It's been 1000 days since Rihanna's last album release. What's she been up to?

• One Direction, Pharrell Williams confirmed for Apple Music Fest

• Kelly Clarkson sings Tinder profiles on 'Kimmel': Watch