Michelle Visage has stirred controversy with her "Wheel of Fortune" appearance. The "Ru Paul's Drag Race" star was on the U.K. game show on Sunday.
Visage, real name Michelle Lynn Shupack, competed and won £43,000 ($54,000) for charity. She chose Gendered Intelligence, a support organization for transgender and gender-questioning individuals, as her beneficiary.
However, this decision didn't sit well with some viewers. Criticisms flooded social media, with comments ranging from calling it a "waste" to outright dismissive remarks about gender diversity.
Carl on X and other users expressed their displeasure, questioning the value of donating to a gender charity. The backlash reflects a broader debate on gender and charity choices.
Newsweek sought comments from Visage, Gendered Intelligence, and ITV. The controversy comes amid rising discrimination against transgender people in the U.K., with a government report showing an 11% increase in hate crimes.
The report also mentioned how remarks by politicians like Prime Minister Rishi Sunak might contribute to the surge in hate crimes. Sunak's comments at the Conservative conference and in Parliament sparked criticism from LGBTQ+ charities and activists.
Sunak's statements have been controversial, especially his refusal to acknowledge gender diversity. His comments followed the tragic murder of transgender teenager Brianna Ghey, highlighting the ongoing debate over gender identity in the U.K.
Visage is a long-standing ally of the LGBTQ+ community, with a career that includes co-hosting "The RuPaul Show" and judging on "RuPaul's Drag Race." Her commitment to LGBTQ+ causes is evident in her charity choice on "Wheel of Fortune."
Besides her activism, Visage's entertainment career is notable. She's been a permanent judge on "RuPaul's Drag Race" since 2011 and started producing the show in 2019, even winning an Emmy.
"Wheel of Fortune" isn't Visage's first U.K. reality show appearance. She's also been on "Celebrity Big Brother" and "Strictly Come Dancing," earning a significant fanbase in the U.K.