Pearl Left ‘Traumatised’ By ‘Gay Fame’ & Drag Race Fans’ Behaviour
Image: Source: @pearliaison on Instagram
Drag Race season 7 alumni Pearl shared some honest thoughts to Instagram this weekend about fans asking her if she would ever return to touring.
Although Pearl, real name Matthew James Lent, was a highlight of Drag Race season seven and eventually finished in joint-2nd, it was apparent that tension was brewing between her and RuPaul throughout the entirety of the season.
After addressing the incident in an episode of Hey Qween in 2018, where Pearl alleged that RuPaul told her “Nothing you say matters unless that camera is rolling,” the fandom have consistently thought that there’s been unresolved issues between Pearl, RuPaul and the show. The episode is a moment Pearl wishes she could undo.
Other moments in time were addressed by Pearl on Instagram, where she usually posts images out of drag about her design work and travels.
The lengthy post begins: “This is dramatic but I’m actually traumatised from travelling/gay fame. Tbh I’ve realised that there’s something about me that, like, triggers people. it’s led to a lot of scary and unpredictable behaviour that idk how to navigate.”
“People will literally slit my throat at any misstep”
Pearl has said that the compounded experiences have turned her into a “mistrusting and isolating person” after sharing a number of harrowing stories from her career so far.
“Can’t tell you how many times people have thrown a drink on me, groped me, stolen from me, tried to pull my wig off, gotten physical with me, etc. I’ve had stalkers. I’ve shared dressing rooms with drag queens who act like they have no idea who I am.
“I’ve had show handlers sexually harass me, not pay me, show up wasted or go MIA. My managers were, like, insane, developed feelings for me, sabotaged me, [have] stolen tens of thousands and so much worse.”
In a follow-up comment, the queen shared a story where she was locked up in Scottish prison for 10 hours because a manager had not secured a working visa, and said that she was “treated like a leper” for being on medication. She then said she had to get in drag and perform, before cheekily adding that she should write a book.
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Pearl says “I’m no victim”, receives support
Further elaborating, Pearl has said that a number of people she helped succeed have stabbed her in the back, and that lies and leaked photos of her online have made it feel like people want her dead: “No matter what I do, people will literally slit my throat at any misstep, with pleasure.”
However, the queen was quick to say that she was not a victim. Pearl said: “I’ve had wonderful opportunities & I’ve grown immensely. I have the most peaceful and fulfilling life. I’ve realised there’s no point trying to please people, I’ll always be shit in some people’s eyes and that’s okay.”
Friends and fans of Pearl alike shared words of support for the queen, empathising with her horror stories. Salina EsTitties said: “I’ll never understand the full scope of what you have been through, as of course you’ve been in the ring longer than me… but I can relate to several sentiments, and I just wish I could give you a hug.”
Cookie Kunty said that she “can’t imagine how hard on one’s mental health this must’ve been! I’m glad you’re in a great head space now! Sending you love.”
The post led several other fans to praise Pearl, while reflecting on their own place in this process. One user said: “The stories you’ve shared over the years have helped me recognise that my interest in celebrity, like you said, has been partially rooted in enjoying drama.
Another fan said she loves to see Pearl living her best life. “Do we miss Pearl the Drag Queen? Sure,” they said, “But we love seeing who YOU are now.”
