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2 February 2022

Drag Race UK vs The World: Lemon defends Pangina from ‘racist remarks and death threats’

"YOURE NOT MY FAN IF YOURE DOING THIS S***"

By Alastair James

Words: Alastair James; pictures: BBC

Lemon has defended Pangina Heals after the latter was subjected to horrendous abuse on social media after choosing to eliminate the Canadian queen at the end of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Vs The World‘s first episode.

This week saw the queens take part in a talent show, which saw Canada’s Drag Race fan favourite Lemon perform a jaw-dropping jump into splits from a raised platform. Sadly though, it wasn’t enough to keep her from landing in the bottom two alongside Drag Race Holland‘s Janey Jacké.

After a lip-sync between the top two – Lemons’ fellow Canadian queen, Jimbo, and Drag Race Thailand‘s Pangina Heals – Pangina was named the winner and chose to give Lemon the boot. 

“YOURE NOT MY FAN”

The elimination comes as a surprise to many with some saying Lemon had been robbed. Lemon herself found the funny side of it tweeting, “so excited to be entering my flop era”.

But given the abuse Pangina got following the show, the Canadian queen immediately criticised those sending the messages, clarifying “YOURE NOT MY FAN IF YOURE DOING THIS S*** !!!!!!!!!!! [sic] while retweeting Pangina, who said she was getting “racist remarks and death threats”. 

Pangina also implored people to be kind adding, “You may not agree with my decision and I can respect that BUT violence or threats are not okay”. Others jumped in to support Pangina as well, with Drag Race UK’s Baga Chipz offering, “I blooody love you! Take no notice of them! Weirdos.”

In the judge’s critiques, Lemon was told by Michelle Visage that while her jump was “impressive,” “we’ve seen it before”. Graham Norton was full of praise over the move, while Mel C said Lemon lacked face in her performance. “You looked a little nonchalant,” the former Spice Girl added. 

Of her runway look (category is: I’m a winner baby!) which consisted of, unsurprisingly, a lemon-inspired pageant-style dress, Michelle had more criticism for the queen calling her “pretty” but asking: “do I think you can elevate higher than that? Yes.”

Asked what she would have done differently if she could, Lemon said: “Probably everything,” and admitted she could have done more. 

In Untucked Lemon was visibly upset and “shook” at landing in the bottom. “I’ve been in this exact position before,” before breaking down. In a confessional, the queen thinks she didn’t have the worst performance or runway. 

Following a lip-sync to the Spice Girls classic ‘Say You’ll Be There’ Pangina revealed she had chosen to kick Lemon out. 

As she left Lemon admitted to feeling “crushed” and “heartbroken”. She continues, “I’m proud of what I did and I’m proud of what I put forward. And I don’t think Pangina made the right choice but hopefully Jimbo will bring back that crown.”

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Vs The World airs on BBC Three and the BBC iPlayer every Tuesday at 9 pm. 

The Attitude February issue is out now. Get your copy here. 

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