Mihlali Ndamase's drag inspired look sparks debate about queer erasure
|Published
Mihlali Ndamase. Picture: Twititer Mihlali Ndamase. Picture: Twititer
YouTuber Mihlali Ndamase started a heated debate on Twitter after she uploaded a drag makeup tutorial video on Tuesday.
Done in collaboration with BBC Brit for the promotion of RuPaul's Drag Race UK", the popular influencer is seen in the video doing a "Get Ready With Me" inspired by Cheryl Hole.
In the video, she goes step-by-step with her attempt at drag makeup opting not to block out her brows and going for a simple makeup look.
However, after she responded to a user that took a screenshot of another tweep that commented on her brows all hell broke loose.
A consistent queen, I stan ♥️ https://t.co/yqEOYq2BK7
— Mihlali (@mihlalii_n) May 5, 2020
On the one side, tweeps were discussing about how she often receives hate on the Twitter streets.
undefinedSo vele Mihlali must trend atleast once every month? pic.twitter.com/eQ1YU9c5lT
— Ndau ya Nduna. (@mualusix) May 5, 2020
I love how this tweet is going to get Mihlali views and then money in her pocket. Continue... https://t.co/ISwd6ixaok
— IG: Blythlie (@blythlie) May 5, 2020
LMAO y’all are trying so hard to find ways to kick Mihlali out and it’s so funny
— Mabaso (@Somilacaba) May 5, 2020
While members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies pointed out that Mihliali's addition to the campaign comes across as queer erasure. Since South Africa has a vibrant queer community along with well-known drag performers.
I'm guessing people's annoyance is why her. And not an actual drag artist, of which, we have some really great ones. Be it an ad or not. It's very weird to see someone take up space so.
— The People's Gogo (@GogoMagosha) May 5, 2020
Everyone doesn’t do make up as a job or for influencing. For some it’s actually part of a history of resistance against queer oppression and a statement of queer liberation. This goes deeper than a bag and a lewk!
— Jamil F. Khan (@JamilFarouk) May 5, 2020
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/JesuisHerve?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JesuisHerve pic.twitter.com/pXY5Awynke
— Gaan Huis Toe! (@KelEldine)
I don’t understand how cis-het people are debating what is drag and what isn’t. Let the drag queens voice opinion. Nina, just shut up.
— L🐉 (@Lee_Mthi) May 5, 2020
This comes after Ndamase landed in hot water after she posted that she see anything wrong and still did not see anything wrong about teenage girls aged under 18, dating older men between 20-30 years old last week.