Culture

Drag Race UK star Sister Sister reveals “graphic” abuse from online trolls

By Sam Damshenas

22nd February 2021

“The toxic fandom have made themselves clear and my mental health has reached rock bottom; my anxiety is showing in physical symptoms.”

Drag Race UK star Sister Sister has detailed the online abuse she’s received from vile trolls.

In an essay for The Guardian, the Liverpool-based entertainer said she’s been “tagged in many shocking tweets” since she made her debut on the franchise earlier this year.

Although the mission statement of the Emmy Award-winning competition series is to inspire viewers to love themselves – and others – so-called ‘fans’ of the series have felt the need to tell Sister Sister that she’s “unattractive”.

After explaining the difficulties of being catapulted to fame in such a short amount of time, the star recalled an Instagram DM from a user called Simon who said, “You should change your name to Munter Munter because that’s what you are.”

Like contestants before her such as Asia O’Hara, Brita, Silky Nutmeg Ganache and The Vixen, among many others, Sister Sister has received death threats.

In the op-ed, Sister Sister shockingly revealed: “Without going into too much detail, one that came from from a blank profile described in graphic detail how they would like to see me die and what to do with my body.”

Because of this, Sister Sister said her “mental health has reached rock bottom” and her anxiety is “showing in physical symptoms,” adding: “I always considered myself a self-sufficient, robust scouser but it seems even I have my limits.”

She then questioned why “some narratives resonate with trolls so much,” especially when each episode showcases an hour into the lives of 12 individual contestants, meaning viewers won’t “truly know the people on screen”.

“You don’t know the person behind the makeup, only what you are being sold. So, given the option of a fleeting interaction with somebody who provides increasingly needed entertainment during lockdown, why make it negative?” she explained.

“What has to change in order for people to take their own online behaviour seriously? Do we need yet another tragic reminder that people can be ground down over time? I really hope not.”

Since going public with her story, numerous Drag Race stars have come out in support of the entertainer, including Baga Chipz, BOA, Blu Hydrangea, Bimini Bon Boulash, Cherry Valentine, Cheryl Hole, Joe Black, Juice Boxx and Tayce.

You can read Sister Sister’s entire essay for The Guardian here.

Trolling has become a widespread issue within the Drag Race fandom.

After her stint on season 10, Asia was threatened to be burned alive by ‘fans’ because of her skin colour, and season 11 competitor Silky 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.”

Earlier this year, World of Wonder’s Instagram page addressed the aforementioned Drag Race trolls with several snappy statements including, “If you can’t love our queens, STFU,” and “Kindness is cool.”

Their posts received support from past contestants such as Anastarzia Anaquay, Aquaria, Brita Filter, Chad Michaels, Denali, Jackie Cox, Madame Madness, Mayhem Miller, Miss Abby OMG and Scarlett Bobo.

 

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