Warning: This article contains spoilers for the most recent episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race, series 11.
RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Plastique Tiara has shared her thoughts on the current racism debate going on among fans in the show, following Silky Nutmeg Ganache’s comments in the most recent episode.
This week’s instalment of Drag Race featured the infamous “reading” challenge, in which the contestants are encouraged to throw shade at one another, in a bid to make RuPaul laugh.
However, many viewers felt Silky crossed a line when she took the stage to insult Plastique, suggesting her comment was racist.
Silky said: “I’m truly surprised that you’re still here boo boo, but I think for us all, your elimination needs to come hayaku, hayaku… it’s hurry in Japanese, bitch.”
A confused Plastique – who is Vietnamese – quickly pointed out to her fellow competitor that she isn’t Japanese, while many watching the episode shared their discomfort at the scene…
Following her elimination from the show, Plastique voiced her opinion on the matter to Metro, saying: “You know what, at the time, I was like… um, we’re different. I just have to say that we’re all sisters, and we shared this experience together. Like siblings we fight, we’re all human.
“The best thing we can do is move forward and address this as a learning experience.”
She continued: “Nobody deserves to be hated in that manner. So… yeah. I feel like the thing to do is really learn from this moving forward, because I’m here for queer Asian representation, and to represent my culture and what my culture has to offer.”
Silky Ganache has also defended herself on Twitter, insisting that her joke wasn’t racist, and that she used the Japanese term to make her “read” rhyme...
She also said that she would be happy to discuss the matter further on camera, during this year’s reunion special.
Only seven queens remain in this year’s series of RuPaul’s Drag Race, with Silky currently on the joint highest number of challenge wins, alongside Brooke Lynn Hytes and A’Keria C Davenort.
New episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race air every week on Netflix in the UK.