'RuPaul's Drag Race' Star Pearl Under Fire For Blackface Allegations

Pearl is no stranger to drama, but she probably didn’t want to get into this kind.

The artist and performer, who was a finalist on season 7 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, is apologizing on Instagram for a set of pictures she posted earlier on her account in drag in what looks like blackface.

In the photos, which have now been deleted, Pearl is dressed in a hot pink top with oversized pink lips, long pink nails, large blue eyes, a high pink wig, and unfortunately, what looks like a very brown shade of foundation for a white person to wear.

So, y'all just gonna stay silent while Pearl from RuPaul's Drag Race posts photos of themself in Blackface, all the while other non-Black queens were hyping it up like it wasn't clearly blackface?

Where's my damn folding chair!? pic.twitter.com/sdGpudv08r
— Raffy Regulus #NYCGaymers (@raffyregulus) August 10, 2023

People are pointing out that the color of the “tan” isn’t the only part of the costume that screamed blackface. Exaggerated large lips and long press-on nails are also common themes when people are mocking how Black women look.

Pearl has since posted an apology in her Instagram stories.

“The character I posted this morning was not meant to resemble any other background other than my own,” she wrote. “She’s platinum blonde/blue eyes & meant to have 2000’s britney-esque tan.”

“I certainly didn’t mean to hurt anyone and will refrain from using any kind of tan at all when creating characters in the future,” she added. “I’ve removed the post as to not continue to offend people.”

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A post shared by Pearl (@pearliaison)

Pearl’s Instagram shows what appears to be an earlier version of the character, with similar lips, nails, and hair. But this character looks like a white woman with a tan instead of a white person in blackface.

Pearl was previously the center of some Drag Race drama after her appearance as a season 7 finalist. She revealed that while the cameras were off, she tried to compliment RuPaul, only to be shut down and told “nothing you say matters unless that camera is rolling.”

Pearl was reportedly banned from returning to the show for All Stars seasons after speaking out on the interaction.