Keri Hilson Opens Up About Dissing Beyoncé on 2009’s “Turnin Me On (Remix)”
Keri Hilson has finally addressed one of the most talked-about moments in her career: the lyric aimed at Beyoncé in the 2009 remix of Turnin Me On. The song, written by Ester Dean, included a pointed line that many interpreted as a diss toward Bey: “Your vision cloudy if you think that you’re the best / You can dance, she can sing, but she need to move it to the left, left.”
Speaking candidly on The Breakfast Club, Hilson revealed that the controversial line wasn’t her own. “It’s a regret. But not in the way people think,” she explained. “That’s a song I actually didn’t write. Those are not my words.”
The Backstory: Forced to Sing the Lyric
Hilson, known for her hits like Knock Me Down, discussed how the lyric came to be. According to the singer, the line was penned by Ester Dean, not her. Hilson initially resisted singing the words, stating, “Automatically, I was like, ‘I’m not saying that.’ That was my position. I’m an athlete. I am competitive. But I’m not nasty, I’m a finesse player. I don’t look at things like that.”
Despite her objections, Hilson claimed that the song’s producer, Polow Da Don, was “quite forceful” in getting her to record the line. She described her emotional struggle: “I tried to fight him on it and I began writing my own. But he… it was quite forceful. The mistake that I made was not continuing to fight. But I was in tears, I was crying, I was adamant that I did not want to do that.”
Hilson further revealed the pressure she felt during that time: “My album wasn’t out yet, I was told it’s not coming out if you don’t do this. I was super young. I felt I had no choice. I’m still protecting everyone involved. I’ve been eating that for years.”
The Apology and Healing
Since the controversy, Hilson has expressed regret over the incident. In 2021, she shared that she and Beyoncé had a conversation about the song. “I feel like she understood what happened, what had transpired, and there was a bit of healing in that moment when we met,” Hilson said. “I take her as a very intuitive kind of soul, as am I. She’s amazing. I’ve always felt that way, that’s the truth of the matter, but no one will believe that.”
Ester Dean, the songwriter responsible for the lyric, also came forward to apologize for her part in the diss. She took to Instagram to express her remorse: “I see how it hurt people, especially women, and I take full accountability.”
The Fallout and Moving Forward
Despite Hilson’s explanation, the damage had already been done. The diss became a hot topic in the media and among fans, contributing to a long-standing tension between Hilson and Beyoncé’s fanbase. The controversy also affected Hilson’s career, as she faced backlash and was somewhat sidelined in the industry.
Now, with the passing of time, Hilson’s revelation and Dean’s apology show that both women have come to terms with the situation. While Polow Da Don has yet to comment on Hilson’s claims, it’s clear that the ordeal was a turning point in the lives of all involved.
Keri Hilson’s decision to come clean about the situation marks a moment of self-reflection and accountability, as she continues to move forward in her career. With a renewed sense of honesty, the artist is reclaiming her narrative and demonstrating that growth and understanding are possible, even in the face of past mistakes.
