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Jameela Jamil Comes Out as ‘Queer’ Following Backlash for Role on Voguing Show

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“The Good Place” actress Jameela Jamil came out as queer in a tweet last night after receiving massive internet backlash for being announced as an MC and judge in HBO Max’s new voguing competition series, “Legendary.”

Before coming out, she was criticized for accepting a role in a show centering on an LGBTQ+ subculture as someone who was not openly LGBTQ+ and had no connection to the ballroom community. The show theme takes inspiration from the 1980s Harlem ballroom scene, where trans and queer people of color found refuge from oppression through drag competitions.

In her statement, Jamil identified herself as being LGBTQ+.

“Twitter is brutal. This is why I never officially came out as queer,” Jamil said. “I added a rainbow to my name when I felt ready a few years ago, as it’s not easy with the South Asian community to be accepted, and I always answered honestly if ever straight-up asked about it on Twitter. But I kept it low because I was scared of the pain of being accused of performative bandwagon jumping, over something that caused me a lot of confusion, fear and turmoil when I was a kid.”

She also clarified that she is only a judge on the show, not the MC like the original press release had said. She said the MC will actually be Dashaun Wesley, a well-known Vogue commentator who also appeared in ballroom culture show “Pose.”

In a statement to BuzzFeed news, HBO Max later clarified that Jamil is indeed not the MC, supporting her statement.

“Yesterday, HBO Max was excited to announce Dashaun and Jameela’s involvement in the series ‘Legendary.’ For clarity, Dashaun is the series’ MC/Commentator, and Jameela heads up the panel of judges alongside Leiomy, Law and Megan,” HBO Max said.

Confirmed MC Wesley voiced his support for his co-star on Twitter.

Others in the ballroom community also sent her their support, including Pose actress Indya Moore.

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Gabby Dance is the managing and online editor of Hers Magazine. She graduated from Auburn University in May 2019 with a degree in journalism and women's studies. When she's not writing, you can find her obsessing over pop culture.

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