DJ Martin Solveig, who collaborated with Canada’s Dragonette for 2010’s “Hello,” has apologized after asking soccer star Ada Hegerberg if she can “twerk.”
While accepting the first ever Women's Ballon d’Or award – recognizing the world’s best player – Hegerberg spoke about inspiring girls to believe in themselves.
Solveig then asked her: “Do you know how to twerk?” She responded with a curt “No.”
In response to outrage on social media, Solveig said his question was taken out of context. “Sincere apologies to the one I may have offended,” he tweeted. “My point was : I don’t invite women to twerk but dance on a Sinatra song. Watch the full sequence People who have followed me for 20 years know how respectful I am especially with women.
“I explained to @AdaStolsmo the buzz and she told me she understood it was a joke. Nevertheless my apologies to anyone who may have been offended. Most importantly congratulations to Ada.”
Hegerberg told BBC Sport she wasn’t bothered. “He came to me afterwards and was really sad that it went that way,” she said. “I didn’t really think about it at the time.”
Sincere apologies to the one I may have offended. My point was : I don’t invite women to twerk but dance on a Sinatra song. Watch the full sequence People who have followed me for 20 years know how respectful I am especially with women pic.twitter.com/pnZX8qvl4R
— Martin Solveig (@martinsolveig) December 3, 2018