MTV dance judge, Lil Mama, offers public apology for sloppy criticism of transgender contestant, Leiomy Maldonado
”I would like to clarify anything that was misunderstood from Sunday’s show. My remarks were never meant to be disrespectful regarding Leiomy’s gender nor offensive to the LGBT community, which has been a community that has supported me in all my endeavors. However, in hindsight, I recognize that my words may have come across as hurtful. I spoke with her privately after the taping to express that it was not my intent to offend her or any member of the transgender community and that I still live for Vogue Evolution.”
Lil Mama, a judge on the MTV show ”America’s Best Dance Crew,” extending an apology to Leiomy Maldonado, the transgender woman who dances with a voguing group, Vogue Evolution. Lil Mama has praised Maldonado in the past, but earlier this week criticized her for walking out of auditions, and in part said her behavior was unacceptable, and stated, “You were born a man and you are becoming a woman. If you’re going to become a woman, act like a lady.” Maldonado was at first receptive to Lil Mama’s criticism of her technique but rolled her eyes when it turned personal, and many fans of the show were put off by Lil Mama’s wording as well. (GLAAD)
”Lil Mama’s comments during her critique attempted to impose standards of conformity for gender identity and expression — a mistake that many people make.”
Rashad Robinson of GLAAD explaining his organization’s interpretation of Lil Mama’s comment toward Leiomy Maldonado, a contestant on the MTV dance competiton, ”America’s Best Dance Crew.” Maldonado’s group, Vogue Evolution, is the first gay/trans group to appear on the series. (GLAAD)
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