Asia O’Hara issues apology after ‘animal cruelty’ in lip-sync finale
(VH1)
Asia O’Hara has issued a public apology after complaints of animal cruelty during her final lip-sync performance.
The ‘RuPaul Drag Race’ star faced criticism after using live butterflies as a prop during her lip-sync battle with Kameron Michaels.
O’Hara posted an apology on Twitter minutes after the finale came to an end. “If you are unhappy with me I understand, I’ve been unhappy with myself since that night but I’m going to do my best to make it right,” the drag queen wrote.
(VH1)
“It’s important to know that I would never purposefully hurt any living being and have the upmost respect for animals.”
O’Hara appeared to try and release the animals as a dramatic reveal during the song, but the insects which were attached in cups to the breast area of her outfit, appeared to be struggling to move.
Some viewers suggested that some of the animals had died while inside the netting of her dress. At points in the performance the camera zoomed in on some of the creatures lying on the floor motionless.
Fans of the show took to social media to complain about the use of the butterflies in O’Hara’s performance.
(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1 Trailblazer Honors)
Concerned animal-lovers such as Lib (handle @libbyzamiska) wrote on Twitter: “I love asia o hara but I don’t condone butterfly abuse.”
While others were shocked at what happened: spooky (handle @johnstypoo) wrote: GIRL. WTF. YOU JUST KILLED LIKE 100 BUTTERFLIES PROBABLY.”
In her apology O’Hara promised to donate over 100 volunteer hours to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
She ended the message with a note to her fans: “I’ll continue to be humble, own my mistakes and lead with love and light,” she wrote.
The controversy came as the four finalists lip-synced for their lives during the grand finale on Thursday.
Kameron Michaels, Aquaria, Asia O’Hara and Eureka all battled to become season 10 champion but it was Aquaria who stole the show.
