Singer Edyta Górniak has lashed out at the media and proclaimed the end of her career. Her open letter, in which she repeatedly resorts to vulgar language in reference to journalists, has provoked a storm.

In the letter, published July 19 on the artist's official website, Górniak accused the media of carrying out a smear campaign against her, directly leading to her decision to terminate her career. The singer wrote, "I have no doubt that this world is populated by both people and monsters who should never have been born. Not only those who murder as a birthday gift for a friend, but also those who contract these 'killings' and thrive on them. Even though in the case of the latter no traces of murder can be seen, I want you to know, you fucking rats, that there's blood on your hands."

Górniak had often been the subject of rumors (including her alleged affair with the president-denied at the top level) and caustic remarks in the press (after her controversial performance of the Polish national anthem during the World Cup in Korea). A few weeks ago, she provoked a new scandal after she slugged a paparazzo who was seeking a photo op.

The uncompromising text has been extensively commented in Poland's two largest tabloids, which called Górniak a "pseudostar," among other unfavorable remarks. A heated debate on the subject also started among Internet users. "Górniak wrote that she's leaving-and Godspeed-as one would be prompted to exclaim after reading the piece of writing that she has produced. Because the text makes one's hair stand on end," commented Fakt. Super Express seconded, "It's evident that the letter has been written with emotion-and bad emotion that prevented the writer from assessing her own literary output." The paper concluded, "Do her frayed nerves mean that Edyta has been unable to withstand the pressure of fame? Or maybe she is angered by her waning popularity? One way or another, Edyta Górniak's departure from public life will do good to both her and her fans as well as the media."

Ewa Galin, the star's manager, said the letter was authentic. "It includes some sharp words, but they only testify to the condition in which Edyta has found herself," said Galin, offering assurances that the singer would deliver on all previous concert obligations.

Górniak's career began with her participation in the television program "¦piewać każdy może" (Anyone Can Sing) at the age of 17. Later she was invited to perform at the festival in Opole and was offered a role in the musical Metro. Górniak climbed to the top in 1994 when her song "To nie ja" placed second at the Eurovision Festival in Dublin. Her success met with enthusiastic reviews in Poland. Her debut album, Dotyk, released a year later, quickly went platinum. Górniak also attempted to make an international career, resulting in an English-language album Edyta Górniak released by EMI in 1997. The album sold 172,000 copies, the best result for any Polish performer abroad.

However, in the years that followed, Górniak found herself increasingly in conflict with the press. Asked by an Internet user when she began to think of terminating her career, Górniak answered, "It's hard to say. Maybe when Super Express long ago wanted to instigate my meeting with my father after 18 years of not seeing each other. In front of the eyes of all of Poland." This was early on in her career as a singer.