Jameela Jamil has set the record straight over claims she’s to be the MC of a new voguing show on HBO.
On Tuesday, Deadline reported that Jameela would take centre stage in Legendary, a new talent competition looking for the best voguers in the world.
They reported that as well as being one of the show’s judges – alongside rapper Megan Thee Stallion and celebrity stylist Law Roach – she would serve as MC.
This news was quickly met with a backlash, as many questioned whether the former T4 presenter and The Good Place actress was qualified to judge voguing, which is rooted in the ballroom scene, an LGBTQ subculture which was originally predominantly populated by Black and Latinx members of the community.love the woman but what credentials does she have to judge a competition on something created by the black lgbtq+ community? https://t.co/4120sVRhyg— ren (@honeyscallum) February 4, 2020I actually really like Jameela Jamil and I’m surprised to see this headline considering how she uses her platform to promote inclusivity and call out inappropriate representation. But judges on a voguing competition should be from the LGBTQ+ community, in particular LGBTQ+ POC. https://t.co/A7K5kwwZp8— Julian (@findmybuspass) February 4, 2020Look I get that we're all out here just trying to get a paycheck, but @jameelajamil how are you gonna work tirelessly on behalf of underrepresented people and then turn around and accept a job on a panel that should be populated with queer and trans people? https://t.co/iiCriF5YBt— adam ellis (@moby_dickhead) February 4, 2020So many queer Black & brown queer creatives and ballroom house members could have used this type of platform, especially one centered in our culture. https://t.co/UleTqUViM1— George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) February 4, 2020Jameela Jamil on voguing, as portrayed in the cult classic documentary
Paris Is Being Microwaved https://t.co/w8iglYdYC5— trey taylor (@treytylor) February 4, 2020Thought process = "Soooo Pose has been popular! What can we do to capitalise on that, while completely ignoring what made Pose special and important?" https://t.co/MG1MuGaOrH— Alice Beverton-Podcast (@alice) February 5, 2020There's entirely too many girls from the ballroom scene who are active and visible in
Hollywood right now for none of them to even be considered as hosts of a VOGUING competition. If Jameela Jamil is as "woke" as she thinks she is she needs to drop out of the project.— Kendra Young Stan Account (@okoyeslacefront) February 5, 2020this is such an awful way to find out all the queer people have died. myself included. https://t.co/vOB2gNpmJe— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) February 4, 2020WHEN BILLY PORTER WALKS ON THIS EARTH??? https://t.co/9S9KTdfYL0— Ash 'Seriously y'all support T2 Overwatch' Parrish (@adashtra) February 5, 2020trace lysette and michelle visage are there. hell, lady bunny ias still alive. what the fuck. the industry is glossing over queer history again. shame on jameela and hbo. https://t.co/dHlpNcoozP— vertigo belmonte (@morelikeomega) February 5, 2020Lol.. I interviewed for this gig. As the mother of a house for nearly a decade it’s kind of kind blowing when ppl with no connection to our culture gets the gig. This is not shade towards Jameela, I love all that she stands for. If anything I question the decision makers https://t.co/kJleDihn02— Trace Lysette (@tracelysette) February 4, 2020Since the announcement, and subsequent controversy, Jameela has spoken out to clarify what her involvement in the show actually is.
Jameela said that, on the contrary to what has been reported, her role is limited to being a judge, insisting: “[Deadline] says I am the MC of this show! I am NOT. I am just one of the judges...
“I’m a long time fan of ballroom and just wanted to help this show get made to celebrate this beautiful community.”Hello! @DEADLINE says I am the MC of this show! I am NOT. I am just one of the judges. The brilliant @DashaunWesley is. With help from the fabulous @TheOnlyMikeQ I’m a long time fan of ballroom and just wanted to help this show get made to celebrate this beautiful community. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ot7SEYnZTr— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@jameelajamil) February 5, 2020She also revealed that Dashaun Wesley, recently seen in the hit series Pose, would instead be serving as the MC of Legendary.According to Deadline, the show will feature 10 voguing houses, each taking part in dance challenges in a bid to win a cash prize and “Legendary” status.
The houses will be made up of six members, including a house parent, while each episode will focus on a different themed ball.
Jameela recently made her final appearance in The Good Place, which came to an end after four series last month. READ MORE: Jameela Jamil Reignites Caroline Flack Spat Over Controversial Surgery Show Jameela Jamil's Stylist Issue Criticised For Lack Of Plus-Size Clothing Piers Morgan Slams 'Deeply Unpleasant' Jameela Jamil In Harry And Meghan Row