Michelle Visage thanked for ‘always fighting for the LGBT+ community’ after Strictly Come Dancing elimination
Michelle Visage recreated Madonna’s 1990 MTV Awards performance of ‘Vogue’. (BBC)
The elimination of Michelle Visage from Strictly Come Dancing was followed by an outpouring of love from the LGBT+ community.
Visage was eliminated during Strictly‘s Blackpool week after performing her “couple’s choice” dance to Madonna’s ‘Vogue’.
She dedicated the routine to the LGBT+ community, later taking to Instagram to explain how proud she was “to bring a part of the underground gay ballroom scene to a massive show like Strictly“.
“I’ve learned in this life you must take big risks in order to affect change,” she wrote.
The Drag Race judge explained that voguing on Strictly wasn’t about winning high scores, but was “about shedding light on a group of people who deserve recognition and would otherwise not get it”.
“I owe my life to the LGBTQIA+ community so as an ally, I try to bring attention to them, their love, their struggles, in any way the I am able to,” she wrote.
“Sometimes in life things matter more than winning and in this case, being an ally and bringing a part of queer culture to 14 million viewers on the BBC is just as good as lifting that glitter ball.”
In return, LGBT+ Twitter users paid tribute to Visage’s exemplary allyship.
A lot of people probably didn’t understand the significance of what @michellevisage & @pernicegiovann1 did and it might cost some votes, but it wasn’t for them & wasn’t about getting the highest score. Thank you Michelle for always fighting for our LGBT community. ?️? #Strictly
— Elizabeth ⚡ (@strengthtodream) November 16, 2019
@MichelleVisage and @pernicegiovann1 voguing on #Strictly this weekend made my little lesbian dancer heart SO HAPPY. This is what recognising your privilege, and using your platform to make a powerful, iconic statement looks like. 1/10 pic.twitter.com/MMStfYmlxL
— Kirsty Conway (@KirstyHConway) November 18, 2019
I would just like to add that Michelle was apart of the iconic ballroom culture scene in New York in the late 80’s which introduced voguing, this is why that dance was so important to her and many other LGBTQIA+ people. @michellevisage @pernicegiovann1 My winners, love you!?️??
— Georgia_Louise????♀️? (@Georgia64483996) November 17, 2019
@michellevisage and @pernicegiovann1 took a calculated risk on Saturday. I’ve just explained voguing and the significance of the balls to my 75 yr old mum and downloaded Pose on @BBCiPlayer for her. She’s enthralled. I’d say the risk paid off ? ? ?
— Elaine Thomson (@Eth0mson) November 18, 2019
THE FACT THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING OFF AT @michellevisage FOR VOGUING IS EXACTLY THE REASON IT WAS MILESTONE IN @bbcstrictly HISTORY. ITS STARTED A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHO DESERVE TO BE CELEBRATED!! MICHELLE HAS MADE HISTORY. END OF. ?️?
— LAURIE (ANITA PEE) ?️? (@laurs226) November 17, 2019
Drag Race UK queen Cheryl Hole joined in with her own message, claiming that Visage, like herself, had been “robbed”.
EVERYONE BEING ROBBED ON REALITY TV THIS WEEK! #JusticeForMichelle @michellevisage ❤️
— Cheryl Hole (@CherylHoleQueen) November 17, 2019
Sadly, not all viewers had positive things to say.
Michelle
Not for me, sorry…. not dancing just posing#Score 5Obviously needs the LGBTQIA community’s vote after being in the dance off
— James Jordan (@The_JamesJordan) November 16, 2019
James Jordan, a former Strictly pro, claimed in a series of tweets that voguing is “not dancing, just posing” and accused Michelle Visage of crying “fake tears” during her emotional introduction to the performance.
“Obviously needs the LGBTQIA community’s vote after being in the dance off,” he wrote.
Michelle Visage replied by saying: “The only way to change the world is by taking risks. I’m SOOOOOO proud of this dance and going out on this one.”
