Jameela Jamil has released a statement on Twitter coming out as queer after receiving backlash about her appointment as judge on an upcoming HBO Max show.
The actor and TV presenter was announced as a judge for a new contest called Legendary, which is based on drag balls in the LGBT community and focuses on voguing.
Voguing is a dance style made popular by Madonna’s song Vogue and the documentary Paris is Burning.
Another personality on the judging panel is rapper and singer Megan Thee Stallion, while Dashaun Wesley from ballroom culture drama Pose will be a commentator.
Criticism about Jamil’s appointment came from what people saw as her lack of connection to the subject matter, which led to the star releasing a statement where she said she had kept her sexuality a secret due to being ‘scared of the pain of being accused of performative bandwagon jumping’.
She also justified her appointment to the show by saying: ‘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 … sometimes it takes those with more power to help a show get off the ground so we can elevate marginalised stars that deserve the limelight and give them a chance.’
Legendary has been produced by the makers of Netflix hit Queer Eye, and will see the voguing teams compete for a cash prize. Viewers will be able to watch it on the upcoming streaming service HBO Max.
