RuPaul confronts Drag Race Down Under’s Scarlet Adams over past racism
"I'm sure there are people who would want me to cancel you, right here right now"
Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: BBC
RuPaul has confronted Drag Race Down Under contestant Scarlett Adams over her past racism.
Speaking directly to Scarlett on the latest episode of the hit show, the drag icon said she had seen online photos of the star performing in Blackface.
Scarlett has previously apologised for her actions, saying in a Facebook video last month: “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 want to give you the opportunity to address this”
Addressing Scarlett on the runway, Ru says: “Scarlett, before you leave, there’s something we need to talk about. It’s just come to my attention that there are photos of you online performing in Blackface. I want to give you the opportunity to address this.”
Scarlett responds: “I can’t deny it, that that happened. As a dumb, ignorant teenager I made some mistakes that I’m really not proud of. Every day I regret those decisions. I regret the fact I used my platform as a performer to ridicule people who have faced systematic racism for hundreds of years. I’m so ashamed at the person I once was.
“I’m really sorry to you and everyone I’ve hurt.”
RuPaul then says: “I’m sure there are people who would want me to cancel you, right here right now. But I’d rather this be a lesson in humility and accountability. I pray all of us can learn and grow from our mistakes.”
In a new interview with Attitude, this week’s eliminated contestant Etcetera Etcetera said of Scarlet: “It’s an opportunity to look at the wider more systemic issues of racism in the queer community.”
Etcetera added: “Why did the clubs that Scarlet worked at allow her to perform those numbers? Why did the queens backstage when she was putting on her Blackface not say anything? It’s easy to look at Scarlet as the one source of this problem, but it’s everywhere. And I think it needs to be addressed as a wider systemic issue and people of colour need to be platformed generally and their voices heard.”