Jameela Jamil has spoken out after what she’s described as a “clusterfuck” of a week, which saw her coming out after facing backlash over a role in a new talent competition about voguing.
Last week, Jameela was at the centre of criticism when it was reported that she was to serve as “MC and judge” on Legendary, a new TV talent search which will centre around ballroom culture.
She quickly spoke out to dispel the reports, insisting that she would only be judging, rather than hosting, but many still questioned whether Jameela was qualified to be a part of a show so rooted in a specific LGBTQ subculture.
Following this, Jameela then posted a lengthy statement in which she came out as queer, and announced she’d be taking a break from
Twitter, branding the social media site “brutal”.Jameela has now returned to social media, sharing a post on
Instagram on which she reflected on the last week of her life.
“Well. Last week was a perfect clusterfuck,” she began. “It was completely overwhelming.”
Admitting she felt her timing was “bad”, “inappropriate” and “unfortunate’, Jameela continued: “The sequence of events was insane, a misunderstanding was left uncorrected for too long, and misinformation spread too far, too fast, then my timing was bad, and in a moment of distress and pain, personal things were blurted out because when you have a secret for decades and you’re traumati[s]ed, it always feels like it might just fucking burst out of you at any given moment, even the most inappropriate and unfortunate ones.
“I thankfully chose the *most* inappropriate and unfortunate time, maybe ever, for mine. So now you don’t have to feel embarrassed about yours. I PEAKED FOR ALL OF US!”
Jameela went on to thank her fans and supporters for their “thousands of messages of kindness and deeply personal letters from strangers and people I know, coming out to me privately”. View this post on InstagramA post shared by Jameela Jamil (@jameelajamilofficial) on Feb 10, 2020 at 7:29am PST“I don’t take it lightly and am happy for you that you felt ready to tell even one person,” she said.
“Do it whenever you feel the time is right, as long as you think you’ll be safe. Don’t feel bad for hiding it for as long as you need, and move at your own pace. But feel no shame about getting it off your chest and know you aren’t alone. There is a huge community of people who understand you, respect you and stand with you.”
She ended her post hoping the coming week “will be calmer than the last”.
Legendary is expected to debut on
HBO Max in the US later in the year.
Running for nine episodes, the show will feature performers battling it out in “fashion and dance challenges” in their respective voguing houses in an effort to win a trophy and cash prize, according to a press release.
The eight voguing houses will each have five performers and a house parent. Previously announced judges include rapper Megan Thee Stallion, stylist Law Roach and dancer Leiomy Maldonado.READ MORE: Jameela Jamil Reignites Caroline Flack Spat Over Controversial Surgery Show Piers Morgan Slams 'Deeply Unpleasant' Jameela Jamil In Harry And Meghan Row Jameela Jamil's Stylist Issue Criticised For Lack Of Plus-Size Clothing