Jameela Jamil On Vogueing Competition Show Controversy: “This Is Why I Never Officially Came Out As Queer”

Jameela Jamil On Vogueing Competition Show Controversy: “This Is Why I Never Officially Came Out As Queer”

Move over “Pose!” Underground ballroom culture is getting another show – but it’s already stirring up controversy. As originally announced by Deadline, HBO’s upcoming competition series, “Legendary,” will center around vogueing as an art form. Judges include stylist to the stars Law Roach, rap diva Megan Thee Stallion, and the “Wonder Woman of Vogue” – dancer Leiomy Maldonado. But there’s one more judge that is gaining criticism for taking the job: actress Jameela Jamil.

LGBTQ members and allies swarmed social media questioning why she’d be tapped as a host. Jameela immediately defended herself with a revealing Twitter thread:

“Hello! @DEADLINE says I am the MC of this show! I am NOT. I am just one of the judges. The brillian @DashaunWesley is…I’m a long time fan of ballroom and wanted to help this show get made to celebrate this beautiful community…I’m a judge, alongside @leiomu @theestallion and @LUXURYLAW with music from icon @TheonlyMikeQ I know some of us aren’t from ballroom, but we are here to bring our followings, press and new audiences to the show, to support and celebrate the ballroom community. That is all.”

Shockingly, Jameela Jamil announced that this kind of backlash kept her from coming out as a queer woman:

“Twitter is brutal…This is why I never officially came out as queer…It’s also scary as an actor to openly admit your sexuality, especially when you’re already a brown female in your thirties. This is absolutely not how I wanted it to come out.”

The Pakistanian/Indian actress continued:

“I know that my being queer doesn’t qualify me as ballroom. But I have privilege and power and a large following to bring to this show.”

Overall, the LGBTQ community seems to be disappointed that Jameela used her sexual identity to guard against criticism for being casted on the show.

Is Jameela Jamil’s place as a “Legendary” judge self-indulgent, or harmless? Let us know what you think in the comments.

Written by Miata Shanay