Ariana Grande has apologised after fans accused her of mocking Selena Gomez for lip-syncing during the Jingle Ball concert in Los Angeles on Friday (06Dec13).

Gomez made headlines after becoming frustrated and walking off stage without completing her set at the city's Staples Center when her microphone failed.

However, the Come & Get It hitmaker was not the only performer to suffer sound problems, as Grande, who also took to the stage, was left struggling when her microphone stopped working during her first track.

Grande was able to make a joke out of the issue, telling the crowd, "At least now you know I'm not tracked (miming)", but the comment prompted a backlash from a host of Gomez's fans who suggested it was aimed at the singer.

The Way hitmaker has since taken to Twitter.com to defend her comment, insisting it was not a jibe aimed at her fellow star. She writes, "I was just cracking a joke cause (sic) my mic was off. Everyone had tech (sic) difficulties. Sorry if it was taken the wrong way it wasn't my intention!"

She adds, "Ohhh jesus. I wasn't throwing shade (criticising) At All I didn't even see anyone else's set. I was sick backstage that's why I didn't even do the carpet."