One Direction's Liam Payne defends 'Duck Dynasty' tweet

Jan. 21 (UPI) -- One Direction's Liam Payne clarified his controversial Twitter message to Duck Dynasty star Willie Robertson, weeks after Robertson's father, Phil, took heat for his remarks about gay people and African Americans.

"Being a fan of someones show and the way they still hold a family together doesnt mean i am ok with all they say," Payne tweeted Saturday.

Payne's original tweet read: "@williebosshog huge love to you/your family huge respect for your business prosperities and the family values you still all behold. big fan."

Some observers took Payne's tweet to mean that he agreed with Phil Robertson's statements comparing homosexuality to bestiality.

The 20-year-old singer said critics -- "#lazyjournos" in particular -- misinterpreted his tweet as an endorsement of Robertson family politics.

"Oh my god can someone literally not be a fan if a show without bring labeled WTf I bought dinner the other day it made a news story," he wrote. "What I gotta do to please you bastards I'm a 20 year old just living life as you did when u where twenty but in extraordinary circumstances. I can't do anything without being judged u try that and write about it. And I know I'm playing into your hands writing these tweets but I'm sick of stupid stories it's time you all grow up."

"I just watched a show and I liked it as most people do stop sitting in my twitter and do your research #lazyjournos," he added.

Sick of all this bull il be back again when the freedom of speech law is back and people don't believe to much into the bulls#!t they read. Can't wait for the call tomorrow where I get told of for cussing had to be said like I said before much worse has happened In the world. Pick ur balls up off the floor and get on with it instead of taking advantage of every word said and twisting it for your own gain.

Willie Robertson, whose show returned earlier this month with its controversial patriarch, told Payne to "stay strong."

@Real_Liam_Payne Thanks bro. Congrats to u boys as well. Y'all keep rockin, we'll keep quackin. Stay strong in this nutty world.
— Willie Robertson (@williebosshog) January 19, 2014