Canada’s Drag Race fans given blunt warning by network after Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman ‘bullied off Twitter’
Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman.. (BBC)
Canada’s Drag Race fans have been given a stark warning by the show’s network after Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman deleted his Twitter following a wave of overwhelming negativity.
Bowyer-Chapman, one of three judges on the Canadian edition, along with Brooke Lynn Hytes and Stacey McKenzie, disappeared from Twitter at the weekend following criticism of his allegedly “rude” and “mean” critiques.
Drag Race UK star Crystal, who made a guest appearance on the spin-off, accused so-called fans of orchestrating a “racist pile-on”k, tweeting: “So the Black queer judge on Canada’s Drag Race gets bullied off twitter. Y’all happy?”
A number of queens competing on the show have also spoken out about their own experiences with trolling and bullying, with Ilona Verley sharing that she attempted suicide due to “all the f**king hate [she] was getting” a few weeks ago.
“I’m fine and currently in a really good head space,” she added later.
Following these interventions, Crave, which airs Canada’s Drag Race in its home country, issued a strongly-worded statement condemning those who have “let their passion cross the boundary into harassment by posting hateful comments about our queens and judges online”.
Stacey McKenzie, Brooke Lynn Hytes and Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman are the hosts of Canada’s Drag Race. (BBC)
“The popularity of Canada’s Drag Race speaks volumes to the immense talent of our queens and phenomenal judges, and we couldn’t be more proud of them,” the statement read, via Now Toronto.
“There is no place for hate in the Canada’s Drag Race community, or anywhere.
“Our show encourages inclusivity and acceptance of all people, and we hope that viewers who haven’t shared in that spirit, will respect that message.”
Priyanka, one of four queens remaining in the competition, echoed these words in a tweet.
“Stop being mean to the judges, to us queens and to each other,” she wrote.
“I know, it’s a TV show and we all have something to say. But for a show that celebrates the LGBTQ2S+ community, we have to keep this home safe.”
Another finalist, Scarlett Bobo, came to Bowyer-Chapman’s defence, calling him “one of the kindest people I’ve ever met”.
“[He] gave the most amazing pep talks EVERY F**KING WEEK,” she added.
“He made us feel special, powerful, and important. This experience was amazing for all of us. Please don’t ruin this for us.”
