Fans defend Drag Race star Robbie Turner over claims fatal car crash was all a dream
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RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Robbie Turner finally admitted that she was not in a fatal car crash on Saturday – claiming she had mistaken the events of a dream for her memories.
The drag queen also apologised to the CEO of Uber – after claiming her driver had been killed – as well as her employer Queer Bar and anyone offended by her account of the fictional incident.
Turner, real name Jeremy Baird, wrote on Twitter: “I just woke up. I’ve been in a car accident. I didn’t recollect it. I’m not certain what happened. My driver did not survive.”
Uber confirmed no drivers had been killed and local police said there was no record of such an incident being reported.
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The crash claim attracted shade and speculation from other Drag Race contestants, though 2018 Celebrity Big Brother winner Courtney Act told PinkNews that people should be “supporting and having empathy.”
Fans have been quick to come to the performer’s defence following the confession.
One wrote: “Take care of yourself Robbie. People are quick to judge and seem to lack empathy nowadays.”
Another tweeted: “I’m happy you’re getting help and taking care of yourself. That’s all that matters, really. About the haters, they’re just here for the drama, they don’t care that there’s a person who needs help behind these words, so don’t worry about them.”
Some followers said they sympathised with the queen as they had confused memories for real events in the past.
However, not everyone was convinced, with a vocal minority of followers saying Turner had lied and should admit to it.
One wrote: “It wasn’t insensitive it was tactless. You don’t make up a car crash and a fake death on social media then promote a show. Just don’t make up creative stories or lie. You deserve to be roasted and held accountable to the truth for the rest of your career.”
Turner finally spoke out about the controversy on April 28 to say it had in fact all been a dream that she misconstrued as memories.
She wrote: “Much public attention followed my recent posts on social media. These were posts I regret sharing.
“I don’t remember much of that night, including leaving my place of employment. I do recall waking up bruised, disoriented, sore, and with an extremely vivid recollection of events that had, to my mind, absolutely occurred.
“It is clear to me that they did not, in fact, happen.”
She added that the past few months, “have been very stressful for my family and I. The stress, depression, heartache and confusion during this time have overwhelmed me.
“On the advice of physicians and caring mental health professionals, I am taking a break from work and social media to spend more time with family and practice some important self-care.”
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In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Turner went into more depth about what happened, saying: “After days of poking around and sleuthing to figure out everything I had gone through, days later I saw footage of me coming home, getting out of a car, and getting into my apartment okay.
“What [I] think happened is that I was slipped something [in my drink], because I didn’t drink that much that night, and [that I] slipped and fell in the shower.
“The hat I was wearing is completely bent and gross, so we think I hit my head in the shower, got out of makeup, went to bed, and had a very vivid and ridiculous dream.”
Trixie Mattel (Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty)
Many fellow Drag Race stars had been quick to play on the scandal.
Speaking at a Drag Race viewing party in Seattle, Season 10 star Aquaria hit close to the bone as she declared: “I’m here to have an uber great time with you guys.
“I’m just going to hit and run with all of these jokes. If I hit and miss, just forget about them.”
She was one of many Drag Race stars and fans to weigh in on the situation.
Turner dismissed Drag Race queens like Trixie Mattel and Willam Belli who made fun of her posts.
“I was never fooled that there was a sisterhood in the beginning,” Turner said.
“I mean, we don’t all see each other and we don’t call each other. Basically, once you’ve gone through the gamut of Drag Race, the only time you really see the girls is if you are on a specific tour with them.
“Even if you were friendly prior to Drag Race, you don’t really see and/or talk to every single girl regularly. So, I’m not terribly surprised.”
