Jameela Jamil Comes Out As Queer After Her New Job As Judge On Voguing Competition Show Is Meet With Backlash
The Good Place star, activist and Twitter fave Jameela Jamil is the latest Hollywood star to come out as LGBTQ.
In a statement yesterday on Twitter, Jamil identified herself as queer.
But unlike most celebrity coming out stories, Jamil's wasn't inspired by a new relationship or a moment of self-actualization. Rather, it comes on the heels of a fiery online backlash over her role in a new project.
Earlier this week, streaming platform HBO Max announced that Jamil will be the MC and one of the judges of its forthcoming series Legendary, a reality competition show that will center on the competitive vogueing found in LGBTQ drag ball culture. An immediate backlash ensued over Jamil, an outsider to ball culture, being an inappropriate choice for the show.
It was this backlash that prompted Jamil to come out, in a post on Twitter.
In the post, Jamil addressed both the backlash and why she never came out previously:
"This is why I never officially came out as queer..."
"...I kept it low because 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."
So why the backlash?
For the uninitiated, Ball culture, which has recently enjoyed pride of place in the mainstream consciousness due to the FX series Pose, centers on groups of LGBTQ people, especially people of color and transgender individuals, who arrange themselves into associations called "houses" and compete—at vogueing, fashion shows and other exploits—before a panel of judges at events called "balls."
Ball culture also arose as a safe haven for queer people in a time when society was even more openly violent and hostile toward the LGBTQ community than it is today. As such, ball culture is deeply important to and fiercely guarded by its members.
Which is where the backlash comes in.
Many LGBTQ people felt Jamil was an inappropriate choice for Legendary, especially since prominent LGBTQ people from the ball scene itself, like Transparent actress Trace Lysette, a trans woman, were passed over in favor of Jamil, a total outsider to the ball scene.
And many felt Jamil was appropriating a culture that was not hers.
A part of being an “ally” is knowing your lane and not swerving. https://t.co/35L7EuwbCp— Brooke Obie Is Excessively Black (@Brooke Obie Is Excessively Black) 1580851833
I think Jameela is great, but this show raises eyebrows because this could very well lean into the appropriation of… https://t.co/hUBdLhIp0J— Dino-Ray Ramos (@Dino-Ray Ramos) 1580863584
People were especially angry about Jamil being the MC rather than one of the show's other stars like ballroom legends Dashaun Wesley, Leiomy Maldonado or DJ Mike Q.
Jamil called this a mistake on the part of Hollywood news outlet Deadline...
...as well as the HBO press department.
Jamil clarified that she is only a judge, along with rapper Megan Thee Stallion and America's Next Top Model judge Luxury Law.
Jamil further underlined her reason for joining the show in her coming out post.
"I know that my being queer doesn't qualify me as ballroom. But I have privilege and power and a large following to bring to this show..."
"Sometimes it takes those with more power to help a show get off the ground so we can elevate marginalized stars that deserve the limelight and give them a chance."
It was a sentiment that her costars shared.
I’ve been in Ballroom for 16 years! My entire life since 2003 has been BALLROOM driven. My entire Musical career ha… https://t.co/6m6g42KT7g— The Legend MikeQ (@The Legend MikeQ) 1580871603
As an ICON who started in BALLROOM who has made a career that has flourished based on BALLROOM. The scene has tried… https://t.co/rUiOFYa5QQ— Leiomy (@Leiomy) 1580871783
Anything monumental created will always be combated by the naysayers. There’s no way people who has no idea of th… https://t.co/3JalxbSpiJ— Dashaun Wesley (@Dashaun Wesley) 1580876073
Pose star Indya Moore, after speaking with Jamil directly, also echoed the sentiment.
But, naturally, the wider internet's responses to Jamil's announcement varied quite a bit.
Some gave heartfelt support.
@jameelajamil Hey Babygirl! You do use power for others. We at Women of Color Unite @TheJTCList stand with you. Yo… https://t.co/SocVg64kB6— Cheryl (@Cheryl) 1580940396
But many others were not having it.
@jameelajamil 1). Congrats on coming out and I'm sorry it had to be like this. But 2). "it wouldn't sell with mor… https://t.co/p819nAqO0K— Theodore (@Theodore) 1580948530
@jameelajamil I’m sorry you had to come out like this. I’m glad that you’re a part of the community and we welcome… https://t.co/WGvpVCQyFZ— Vaneet Mehta (@Vaneet Mehta) 1580944913
In any case, Jameela is who she is, and the show goes on—filming starts today according to Jamil's post. Soon the media landscape will have a bit more LGBTQ representation, which can only be a good thing.
Jameela Jamil Opens Up About Her Abortion In Viral Thread: 'It Was The Best Decision I Have Ever Made'
Jameela Jamil, an actress and activist who plays Tahani Al-Jamil in NBC's The Good Place, is speaking out against Georgia's recent anti-abortion legislation.
The law makes all abortions illegal after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, generally around 6 weeks—often before a pregnancy is even discovered.
Jamil took to Twitter to voice her opposition to the law, and the damage that it will do.
She called the law:
"upsetting, inhumane, and blatantly demonstrative of a hatred of women, a disregard for our rights, bodies, mental health, and essentially a punishment for rape victims, forcing to carry the baby of their rapist."
This anti-abortion law in Georgia is so upsetting, inhumane, and blatantly demonstrative of a hatred of women, a di… https://t.co/MC6bhzzzHv— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@Jameela Jamil 🌈) 1557774247.0
She went on to reveal that she had an abortion when she was younger and called it "the best decision I ever made."
She wasn't prepared emotionally, psychologically or financially to support a child, and decided not to bring a child into the world under those circumstances.
She also cited the increase in children who will end up in foster care because of the law.
An already overcrowded foster care system isn't prepared or able to deal with a sudden influx in children needing placements.
I had an abortion when I was young, and it was the best decision I have ever made. Both for me, and for the baby I… https://t.co/IzQmHBHgJS— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@Jameela Jamil 🌈) 1557774248.0
She clarified later in the thread that she meant nothing against foster parents. They provide valuable care to children who are in need of a loving home.
Further taxing an already overtaxed foster care system won't help anyone, least of all the children needing foster homes.
Ps.. this isn’t any diss at ALL to foster homes. I’m in awe of people who take in children in need of a family and… https://t.co/xkGOy53edi— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@Jameela Jamil 🌈) 1557775367.0
The comments on Jamil's thread were largely people criticizing her for her decision to have an abortion or attacking her character.
There were some who appreciated her candor, though.
@jameelajamil Thank you for sharing your story. I appreciate your candor and courage.— Super Left Democrat (@Super Left Democrat) 1557935471.0
@jameelajamil Thank you for being brave enough to share your story.— WilyOtter (@WilyOtter) 1557933558.0
@jameelajamil Thank you for saying what so many women have been shamed into keeping secret. Choice not only gives u… https://t.co/HRJIcBdocJ— Deborah Edwards (@Deborah Edwards) 1557932096.0
A few people had words for those that were being willfully obtuse and missing the point of Jamil's message.
@jameelajamil It’s her decision. That’s the point. Everyone should make the decision that best for them instead of shaming women.— Connor Justice (@Connor Justice) 1557925400.0
@jameelajamil @YNB What is wrong with people? If you don’t agree with abortion then don’t have one. And wait, doesn… https://t.co/qn6p9lVKUI— Ricky Quarequio (@Ricky Quarequio) 1557799897.0
@jameelajamil It takes a lot of courage to be open about this - thank you. I know at least two women for whom this… https://t.co/CXElWcoDiH— Droooooooooo (@Droooooooooo) 1557941920.0
@jameelajamil I think people are missing the point that you were trying to make about a child ending up in foster c… https://t.co/BhOMfXXJHJ— Precious (@Precious) 1557923352.0
It is a fact that there are many loving foster and adoptive families, but it is also a fact that there are many less than stellar ones. Children placed in foster care don't have the luxury of choosing only to live with the good families.
Many of the arguments against Jamil's message also ignore a pregnant person's right to bodily autonomy.
Laws like this are not going to make people suddenly stop having unwanted pregnancies; they are much more likely to just make people seek unsafe alternatives when safe, legal abortions are not an option.
Jameela Jamil Calls Out Hollywood And The Media For Fat-Shaming Khloé Kardashian Following Troubling Instagram Post
Jameela Jamil, star of NBC's The Good Place and advocate for body positivity, recently responded to an Instagram story from Khloé Kardashian on Twitter. Though Kardashian was likely only posting the meme to get a few relatable laughs, Jamil believed it was propping up a harmful mindset women are pressured into having.
On her Instagram story, Khloe posted a meme which read:
"2 Things a girl wants: 1) Lose Weight 2) Eat"
Jamil responded, saying:
"This makes me sad. I hope my daughter grows up wanting more than this. I want more than this. Sending love to this poor woman. This industry did this to her. The media did it to her. They fat shamed her into a prison of self critique. Dear girls, WANT MORE THAN THIS."
This makes me sad. I hope my daughter grows up wanting more than this. I want more than this. Sending love to this… https://t.co/nyXD9yz3CT— Jameela Jamil (@Jameela Jamil) 1547092607.0
Twitter was loving Jameela's perspective:
@jameelajamil Things this girl wants: 1. To not be judged for how I look 2. To not be judged for what I eat 3. Ackn… https://t.co/4i4cp31nkb— Kate (@Kate) 1547099665.0
@jameelajamil 1. To not walk with my keys between my fingers at night, or check my back seat. 2. To not worry abou… https://t.co/bMNLPSqd57— Sarah Casey (@Sarah Casey) 1547093964.0
@jameelajamil In a world full of Kardashians be a @jameelajamil ❤️❤️❤️— Narciso🌸 (@Narciso🌸) 1547094738.0
@jameelajamil Fixed it https://t.co/9Nnxc2gHm3— Becca (@Becca) 1547094172.0
@jameelajamil I want: 1) books 2) biryani— Bern Bright (@Bern Bright) 1547136660.0
Some people, however, thought that Jamil was taking what was meant to be a joke a bit too seriously:
@jameelajamil This was probably meant to be a tongue in cheek joke— Gemma (@Gemma) 1547112677.0
@vanne_nh @jameelajamil No thank you. Especially if she takes meme this seriously just because a Kardashian said it— Martin Louis The King Jr. (@Martin Louis The King Jr.) 1547125623.0
Jamil is known for standing up for body positivity whenever she can. She's clapped back at celebrities like Iggy Azalea, Cardi B., and Amber Rose for selling "shady diet products," once going so far as to tweet:
"When will these women who are covered in plastic surgery stop telling their followers to drink a laxative to look like them? It's so embarrassing and it's so encouraging of eating disordered behavior. BE BETTER ALLIES!"
Another double agent for the patriarchy bites the dust... When will these women who are covered in plastic surgery… https://t.co/gOdR2Kw0pt— Jameela Jamil (@Jameela Jamil) 1543251199.0
They got Cardi B on the laxative nonsense “detox” tea. GOD I hope all these celebrities all shit their pants in pub… https://t.co/gRRLvULRuF— Jameela Jamil (@Jameela Jamil) 1543075705.0
Jamil has a history with the products many of her fellow celebrities endorse, and she doesn't want to see any young girls fall into the same path she did.
I was the teenager who starved herself for years, who spent all her money on these miracle cures and laxatives and… https://t.co/pg2yaBusVs— Jameela Jamil (@Jameela Jamil) 1543251640.0
I am not going to stop coming after all the people, men and women, who perpetuate this gross culture of forcing wom… https://t.co/XWgWp4ldhu— Jameela Jamil (@Jameela Jamil) 1543251640.0
Give us the discount codes to your nutritionists, personal chefs, personal trainers, airbrushers and plastic surgeo… https://t.co/NrlvwJJQ8S— Jameela Jamil (@Jameela Jamil) 1543252646.0
At one point, Cardi B tried to respond to Jamil, writing in a comment:
"I will never sh*t my pants cause there's public restrooms everywhere… oooo and bushes."
Jamil did not let the joke slide.
Regarding her response: she will never shit her pants, not because of bushes, but because she probably doesn’t ever… https://t.co/chgyCfPVOL— Jameela Jamil (@Jameela Jamil) 1543272693.0
When some online began accusing Jamil of wanting to "cancel" women, she responded thoughtfully:
Woah! I appreciate you’re being supportive but I definitely don’t want to cancel anyone! I just want them to cancel… https://t.co/oGU9g1egfS— Jameela Jamil (@Jameela Jamil) 1543341087.0
All you have to do is read, listen, learn and grow. Have empathy for those who are younger and more vulnerable, acc… https://t.co/N5uhSfzQLg— Jameela Jamil (@Jameela Jamil) 1543341495.0
When all is said and done, Jamil seems to have the right take.
If celebs and influencers were actually honest with us about some of these diet/detox products... https://t.co/OQsJobGOQN— Jameela Jamil (@Jameela Jamil) 1543366336.0
@jameelajamil I am still amazed people buy into these adverts on their social media accounts because these celebrit… https://t.co/UWpUQbyECb— Searchingapples 👑🦢 (@Searchingapples 👑🦢) 1543252843.0
@jameelajamil https://t.co/P0coLlXMRI— Cricket 🏳️🌈 (@Cricket 🏳️🌈) 1543252910.0
@jameelajamil THIS TEA— Daniel Preda (@Daniel Preda) 1543294869.0