Canada’s Drag Race judge Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman ‘bullied off Twitter’ prompting fierce debate on racism
Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman (Noel Vasquez/Getty)
Canada’s Drag Race judge Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman has deleted his Twitter account after he was accused of being “mean” to contestants on the show.
The model and actor is one of three judges on the Canadian version of the hugely popular drag contest. He is joined by Drag Race alum Brooke Lynn Hytes and Stacey McKenzie.
In recent weeks fans have repeatedly lashed out at Bowyer-Chapman on social media, accusing him of delivering “mean” critiques to the show’s contestants.
Bowyer-Chapman deactivated his Twitter account over the weekend, following in the footsteps of RuPaul himself. Michelle Visage also recently wiped her Twitter account.
The actor has also limited the people who can reply to his Instagram posts following significant fan backlash.
Drag Race UK star Crystal hit out at ‘racist’ pile-on against Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman.
Drag Race UK star Crystal, who made a guest appearance on the Canadian show, hit out at fans Sunday (August 23) in a series of tweets for “bullying” Bowyer-Chapman off social media.
“So the Black queer judge on Canada’s Drag Race gets bullied off Twitter. Ya’all happy?” Crystal wrote.
So the black queer judge on Canada’s Drag Race gets bullied off twitter. Ya’ll happy?
— Crystal (@crystalwillseeu) August 23, 2020
“The main arguments I’ve seen are accusations of ‘inauthenticity’ (as if YOU know what’s authentic for him), and bad critiques (but none of the other judges are getting that half as hard).”
She added: “It’s a pile on. And it’s racist. And for what? Clout? Bet you would have loved a good old fashioned public stoning.”
While some argued the critiques had nothing to do with Bowyer-Chapman’s race, many simply questioned why so many Drag Race fans had invested so much time in attacking him.
Last but not least I would point out cancel culture is not just for white racist people … anyone can be canceled … he is a POC and queer… and ? He is rude and pretty nasty and judging and for that he can be cancelled people can boycott anyone .. girl bye ??
— Kal ?️? (@TriniDaddy1990) August 23, 2020
If only Twitter Gays spent as much time holding homophobic politicians to account as they did abusing Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman— joel (@JoelOnMain) August 24, 2020
I truly wonder if the people who DESPISE Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman and send him daily threats have ever watched American Drag Race before. Like… his judging isn't that different? Have you even listened to half the shit Michelle Visage says? I'm confused by this outrage?— Jess Beau (@whatjessbeau) August 24, 2020
ok we get it Jeffrey bowyer chapman can be a bit mean on the judging panel but this OBSESSION with hating him is a bit strange *cough* racist *cough* considering the fact that brooke lynn is also very mean and no one really gives a shit
— ar ste 🇵🇸 (@stephenboyle3) August 23, 2020
Drag Race Canada star Lemon, who was eliminated last week, came to the defence of Bowyer-Chapman in a recent interview with Attitude.
When asked if he had “crossed the line” and been “too mean” to contestants on the show, Lemon said: “No, not at all.
“What everyone is forgetting is that the judging goes on for hours, and so the judges obviously say supportive, very kind things to us as well, but at the end of the day it’s a competition and it’s TV.
“If they were like, ‘You guys are all so pretty’, it’d be a terrible show, don’t ya think? So no, I never felt that any of the judges were rude or unqualified.
“They were chosen for a reason and they’re all really cool people. We need to keep in mind that they’re humans, too.”
