Rita Baga, star of Canada’s Drag Race, has recently found herself in some hot water. On Sunday, the Montreal queen tweeted a response following allegations of performing in blackface.
“Bonjour! I saw a lot of things online recently about me and problematic things I’ve done in the past. I have made stupid and hurtful mistakes, a long time ago, that I still regret. Deeply. For those of you who did not know this before, I apologize again. I can’t undo what I’ve done as a young, privileged, and unaware white queen. In 2020, I have ‘exposed’ myself, as you can see below [attachment]. I still own and mean what I wrote back then. And I am still ashamed. I don’t know if writing this post is the right thing to do. But I want to be transparent and honest. I’ve been vocal about this numerous times, and informed people about it too."
— Rita Baga (@ritabagaz) November 6, 2022
“Seeing that people who ‘called out’ these big mistakes have been criticized and bullied makes absolutely no sense to me,” she continued. “I respect my sisters. And I will never endorse online bullying. (…) The bad actions I’ve done and regret were a long time ago and I will never repeat them. Never. I am full of love. I don’t like drama at all (you may remember it from my season) and avoid confrontation in general. To be transparent, my anxiety level is currently at its highest. Again, I don’t know if writing this is what I should do. But, I apologize again from the bottom of my heart for the harm caused. Love, Rita.”
The response comes after Canada’s Drag Race season two queen Kimora Amour hinted at a mystery queen’s certain actions in a tweet published last week.
“I love that [people are] calling out others… since we are on the topic of black face… I think it’s time we are open and honest about a [Canada’s Drag Race] queen allegedly doing a form of blackface... and everyone just keeping quiet. Thursday anyone?”
I love that ppl r calling out others....since we are on the topic of black face...I think it's time we are open and honest about a CDR queen allegedly doing a form of black face... and everyone just keeping quiet. Thursday anyone? https://t.co/hGUNVQeXqc
— Kimora Amour (@KimoraAmour) November 2, 2022
Amour and Icesis Couture later appeared on The Chop Bloque where she further elaborated on the post. According to Amour, Océane Aqua-Black allegedly purchased a bodysuit made for Black skin tones from Baga – a bodysuit that she allegedly used for the performance impersonating Glee star Amber Riley.
Some have spoken out in defense of Rita Baga. RaJah OHara, tweeted saying: “keep my sis name out yo mouth!!!”
Canada’s Drag Race season one star Kiara said: “She owned it! And I forgive her. Already forgave her before.”
Meanwhile, others like Dragula season four star, Saint continue to call out Baga’s past actions. She posted a tweet saying, “It’s frustrating that as a POC drag performer you can’t just live your dream. Even at the top of the game, there’s someone looking to knock us down.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Sound off in the comments below!
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