Pearl’s Bold Message to Drag Race Fans: ‘Death Threats Aren’t the Answer!’ – A Call for Compassion Amidst Toxicity

In a striking moment on Tuesday’s episode of “The Bald and the Beautiful,” hosted by Drag Race icons Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova, season 7 contestant Pearl delivered a poignant voice memo that addressed the toxic behavior of some Drag Race fans.

Her message came in light of the harassment and death threats she has received after sending Trixie Mattel home during a memorable lip sync performance to Blondie’s “Dreaming.”

“People don’t understand what it’s like to have won that lip sync and then watch Trixie become the Trixie we know and love today,” Pearl began in her recording.

“For the last decade, I’ve been slowly publicly executed because of this moment.

Somehow I’m 100% at fault.

And as much as I appreciate the death threats, perhaps someone would have the wherewithal to blame the actual person who chose to send you home.”

This heartfelt message highlights the emotional toll that competitive reality television can take on its contestants.

Pearl’s experience is not an isolated incident; it reflects a broader issue within the Drag Race fandom, where many queens have faced harassment, including racist and fatphobic attacks, simply for their participation in the show.

Pearl also pointed out the inconsistency in fan outrage, referencing fellow season 7 queen Ginger Minj, who also eliminated Trixie in a lip sync battle but did not face the same level of backlash.

“Ginger won another lip sync against you but nobody seems to recall, so I have to say the wrath feels personal,” she noted, emphasizing the selective anger directed at certain queens.

Following Pearl’s message, Trixie and Katya expressed their support, urging fans to reconsider their reactions when a favorite contestant is eliminated.

“When someone you like on Drag Race goes home, it’s not fair to turn to the other drag queen and say ‘Fuck her,’” Trixie stated, reinforcing the idea that contestants are not just characters on a show, but real people with feelings.

The toxic behavior of some fans has been a persistent issue for the Drag Race franchise, which has grown exponentially in popularity over the years.

Many queens have reported experiencing severe harassment, including threats of violence.

Notably, Asia O’Hara from season 10 received threats to burn her alive, a horrifying example of the extreme toxicity that can arise from fandom.

In response to this ongoing problem, the show released a public service announcement in 2020 titled “Everybody Say Love!” The video featured several queens discussing their lives outside the show, aiming to humanize them and remind fans that they are individuals, not just contestants vying for a crown.

World of Wonder, the production company behind Drag Race, has also made efforts to encourage kindness among fans through various social media campaigns.

Pearl has been candid about her negative experiences since appearing on Drag Race, revealing that the fame associated with the show has led to “scary” and unpredictable behavior from fans.

In a 2024 Instagram post, she wrote, “I’m actually traumatized from traveling/gay fame.

tbh I’ve realized there’s something about me that like triggers people.

it’s led to a lot of scary and unpredictable behavior that idk how to navigate.”

Her previous comments on the show also reflect a complicated relationship with the Drag Race franchise.

In 2018, while appearing on the talk show “Hey Qween!,” Pearl alleged that RuPaul dismissed her contributions, saying, “Nothing you say matters unless that camera is rolling.”

This moment left a lasting impact on Pearl, who later claimed that producers informed her she would never be invited back for an All Stars season because of her comments.

Pearl’s voice memo came during the fourth episode of a dedicated recap of season 7 on “The Bald and the Beautiful,” which featured several beloved queens, including Trixie, Katya, Ginger Minj, and Kennedy Davenport, all of whom were runner-ups to the eventual winner, Violet Chachki.

As the episode aired, Trixie and Katya expressed their desire for another All Stars season, but only if it featured a redo of season 7 with the original cast.

This sentiment indicates the strong bond and camaraderie that exists among the queens, despite the competitive nature of the show.

In conclusion, Pearl’s message serves as a necessary reminder for fans to practice empathy and understanding.

The world of Drag Race is not just about competition; it involves real people with real emotions.

Death threats and harassment should never be acceptable responses to the decisions made within the context of a reality show.

As the Drag Race community continues to grow, fostering a culture of kindness and support will be crucial in ensuring that all queens feel safe and valued in their journeys.