Culture

Drag Race star Brita deactivates social media accounts as she seeks help

By Sam Damshenas

28th August 2020

“Getting the help I need so I don’t kill myself.”

Brita Filter has deactivated all of her social media channels – except for Instagram – due to the continuous hate from Drag Race ‘fans’.

In a statement posted through online personality Jakeyonce, the star said that she’s “getting the help I need so I don’t kill myself,” and that her assistant “will be posting work related stuff on Instagram when necessary.”

Following her run on the 12th season of the Emmy-winning series earlier this year, Brita was inundated with online abuse from so-called ‘fans’ due to her on-screen relationship with fellow contestant Aiden Zhane.

“One person told me that if he saw me on the subway platform he would push me in front of a train if it was coming because he didn’t like me on @rupaulsdragrace,” she revealed at the time.

“I know who I am. I am a good person with a good heart. We are all human we make mistakes. I hope these people see their mistakes and change. We are all going through it. Try to lead with kindness.”

The news arrives shortly after ‘fans’ bullied Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman off Twitter.

The actor – who judges Canada’s Drag Race alongside Brooke Lynn Hytes and Stacey McKenzie – has been flooded with hateful comments from viewers over various critiques he’s given to contestants, such as Ilona Verley and Jimbo.

In a statement, Crave  – the production company behind the Canadian spin-off – condemned the messages towards Jeffrey and the show’s competitors, saying fans have “let their passion cross the boundary into harassment”.

“The popularity of Canada’s Drag Race speaks volumes to the immense talent of our queens and phenomenal judges, and we couldn’t be more proud of them,” they wrote. “Canada’s Drag Race has an international fan base, and it’s unfortunate that some of those fans have let their passion cross the boundary into harassment by posting hateful comments about our queens and judges online.

“There is no place for hate in the Canada’s Drag Race community, or anywhere. Our show encourages inclusivity and acceptance of all people, and we hope that viewers who haven’t shared in that spirit, will respect that message.”

Queens of colour, specifically Black queens, have long spoken about the racist harassment they receive after appearing on the series.

After her stint on season 10, Asia O’Hara was threatened to be burned alive by ‘fans’ because of her skin colour, and season 11 competitor Silky Nutmeg Ganache later revealed that racist trolls sent death threats to her family and friends.

When we spoke to Silky, she said “until the producers put their foot down and offer more assistance that this going to continue to happen. People do not deserve to be treated this way. What is it going to take? Is it going to take a queen to kill herself?”

Asia also told us: “I think that the people who are in a position to influence should take some responsibility. These people have the power to influence a large number of people and they need to take that seriously.

“I think the people that are in a position to influence these people and their minds need to step up to the plate. Those who not affected by it are the ones who should be made accountable for the people who follow them spouting this negativity.”

During her appearance on Hey Qween, season 10’s Monique Heart said she was called all kind of racial slurs from viewers such as “a baboon, a n***a and an ape”, because of comments towards her All Stars 4 competitor Valentina.

“The fandom, first of all, is predominantly white because that’s statistics, we make up 15% of the nation,” Monique explained. “The fandom can see themselves in white queens. The fandom may like black queens or queens of colour.

“However, they can only see themselves in them to a particular point because of shade. You can never see yourself in me so it’s easier to hate me, because all of the shit that you may not think on a regular basis about people of colour is still already there and built in subconsciously… whether you wanna agree with it or not.”

Asia recently hosted a panel discussion on race and representation with five Black queens who have won consecutive titles on Drag Race: Monét X Change, Yvie Oddly, Jaida Essence Hall, Heidi N Closet, and Shea Couleé. Watch here.

Related: Drag Race stars voice support for Black Lives Matter in powerful video.