Drag Race UK vs The World’s Pangina Heals denies shock elimination is ‘unfair’

Words: Alastair James; pictures: BBC

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World‘s Pangina Heals says she doesn’t agree with criticism from fans that her elimination was unfair.

The latest episode of the international series dropped probably the biggest bombshell to date and led to some fans saying they were “done” with the series given Pangina’s exit followed that of Canadian queen, Jimbo. Both had been considered frontrunners for the crown.

Speaking to Tia Kofi and Attitude for Tea Time, in association with Taimi, following her exit, Pangina also says she’s seen “both kinds of reaction” to her exit including supportive and abusive messages. 

“To say that it’s unfair, I don’t know if I would agree with it just because it’s a competition and life’s not fair, Pangina says when asked about the reactions to her elimination.

She adds: “Blu’s allowed to send me home and I’m not going to be angry at her.” Later she also says that had there been a “medium zone” for ‘safe’ queens then she wouldn’t have gone home.

Pangina reveals to Tia that she was “really surprised” at some of the reactions she got after she sashayed away. Following the eliminations of the two Canadian queens – Lemon and Jimbo (by Pangina) – the Thai queen received abuse on social media.

Addressing the fan’s reactions, Pangina says: “I would not have chosen Lemon to be in the bottom but because I had to send someone home, unfortunately, I had to send Lemon home. And people were really upset.”

Pangina says the fallout from Lemon’s elimination prepared her for the reaction she would receive after sending Jimbo home – but not for the “bulls**t” she’s received since leaving the competition herself.

“Until today,” she continues, “when I was sent home I thought this bulls**t was over, and then when I got all this craziness again I was just like ‘what do you want from me? I left. I thought it was over. What more can I do?'”

However, she reiterates that this is what the queens signed up for and that “You have to choose to find the humour in all of this,” and “you just have to keep on living because life is too short”. But she adds that she was “irked” by it all. 

Pangina says she’s also seen messages from people including saying they walked out of the room or were crying and that she does appreciate the support. 

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World continues on BBC Three and the BBC iPlayer next Tuesday from 9pm.