Drag Race Down Under stars apologise over separate racism storms
Scarlet Adams has apologised for wearing blackface in old photos - shortly after Karen From Finance apologised for her past racist tattoo and toy collection
Words: Jamie Tabberer; pictures: Drag Race Down Under
Drag Race Down Under contestants Scarlet Adams and Karen From Finance have apologised after both were caught up in respective racism storms.
In old pictures that resurfaced last week, Scarlet is seen in blackface and culturally appropriative costumes.
This follows reports that co-star Karen From Finance had a racist tattoo and toy collection.
“I want to take accountability”
In an apology video uploaded to Facebook yesterday, Scarlet said: “I want to acknowledge the pain and hurt that I’ve caused people, and take accountability for the things I did in my past.
“I want to say I’m so sorry for the hurt that has been caused to marginalized people and the communities. And I’m sorry those things ever happened. Those things happened several years ago. I know that’s not an excuse but I’m no longer that person. I’m changed and I try to use my drag to uplift and empower marginalized communities.”
The offending pictures of Scarlet were shared by Aboriginal drag queen Felicia Foxx on Instagram.
Foxx wrote in a caption: “It makes me sick to my core to see numerous people in the LGBT+ community who are profiting off of making a mockery and disrespecting peoples cultures [sic].
“It makes me furious seeing my culture being dismantled, disregarded and s**t on.”
View this post on Instagram
In her own apology Instagram post, Karen From Finance recently said: “In the spirit of being open and upfront with my friends, family and followers, I would like to address and formally apologise for a part of my past – something that I’ve long been remorseful for – and admittedly ashamed to share.
“Eleven years ago, I had a collection of golliwog dolls – a collection that began when I was two-years-old – and I made the uninformed, ignorant and regrettable decision to have one of these dolls tattooed.
“In the years following, and more notably after being interviewed by someone writing an opinion piece in a tattoo magazine, I realised how insensitive and hurtful this was.
“Even though there was of course never any intention of malice, I realised how irresponsible and stupid I had been and so I disposed of the dolls to landfill and had my tattoo covered.”
Attitude has approached World of Wonder, makers of the RuPaul’s Drag Race franchise, for comment.
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