Dance Crew’s Lil Mama Apologizes

America’s Best Dance Crew judge Lil Mama has issued an apology to the LGBT community and transgender contestant Leiomy Maldonado for comments she made on Sunday’s show.

"I would like to clarify anything that was misunderstood from Sunday's show,” Lil Mama said in a statement released by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. “My remarks were never meant to be disrespectful regarding Leiomy's gender nor offensive to the LGBT community, which has been a community that has supported me in all my endeavors. However, in hindsight, I recognize that my words may have come across as hurtful. I spoke with her privately after the taping to express that it was not my intent to offend her or any member of the transgender community and that I still live for Vogue Evolution."

Maldonado, who dances with the all-gay dance group Vogue Evolution, was taken to task by Lil Mama for her attitude. In a video of the group’s rehearsal shown before their performance, Maldonado was seen yelling at the rest of the group and walking out of rehearsal.

“Leiomy, come on. Your behavior… it’s unacceptable,” Lil Mama said after watching their performance. “I just feel that you always have to remember your truth. You were born a man and you are becoming a woman. If you’re going to become a woman, act like a lady. Don’t be a bird, like ‘Oh my god, I’m not doing this!’ You know what I’m saying? It gets too crazy and it gets confusing. You’re doing this for America. Even though you’re the face for transgenders, you’re the face of America right now with this group and it’s not about anybody else. It’s about y’all. You know what I’m saying? So do it for the team. Do it for the team.”

Moments after the show aired, trans activists and allies took to the Web to complain about Lil Mama’s comments. GLAAD reported on its blog that it had received numerous complains with regard to Lil Mama’s comments.

In earlier performances, Lil Mama has openly expressed her support of Vogue Evolution and, specifically, Leiomy. After the group performed a routine to the Beyoncé song “Déjà Vu,” she said, “It took a transgender woman to bring out the femininity of Sasha Fierce.”

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

Name: PePa
Date posted: 2009-09-02 8:58 PM
Hometown: Santa Ana, CA

Comment:

I don't get it, where is the insult? I find more insults in Hell's Kitchen where contestants are frequently confronted by chef Ramsey's hardcore verbal abuse, from calling slow people "donkeys" to referring overweight people as "fat cows!" It is a competition so things shall be said and there will be tears and sweat if you want to succeed. But again let us not forget that there other primates who lack any type of brainwave activity (much like Tim Hardaway whose years of clashing with other big football players has reduced his brain cells' capabilities to that of a doornail.) and has flat out insulted a whole group of people just for being a member of that particular group. In this case I don't see the fuss, nor does it merit any sympathy for the contestant as her participation is voluntary, let alone any apology for not being able to communicate clearly. If you want to call me a donkey just say it. The only victim here is the English language.

Name: RJ
Date posted: 2009-09-02 6:44 PM
Hometown: Stevens Point

Comment:

Sometimes people need a reality check and in this case Leiomy needed just that. She wasn't attacking her gender just reminding her that a lady would behave differently. If she had made the comment to another woman reminding her to act like a lady there would be no issue. Lets keep it in context people. While the comment hits on trans issues because of the unique situation I think she was also trying to give the reality check they so badly needed while at the same time asking Leiomy to remember where she started and what she has had to endure to get where she is. It might be a back handed way at arriving at the end (and most would have gone another course) but really the message is the same. Why is it that our community has to sensationalise every comment that might in some plane of existence be considered a slight? Have we really regressed so far that the verbal equivalent to a dirty look from someone is now a personal attack?

Name: chin
Date posted: 2009-09-02 5:56 PM
Hometown: seattle

Comment:

lil mama's comment was a kneejerk attempt to keep leyomi from getting too "uppity." there was no reason whatosoever to bring up her gender otherwise. the people posting here rushing to lil mama's defense are merely doing the same thing.... keeping leyomi in her "place".. how dare she get too big for her own britches when she's not a "real" woman, etc. that sort of condescension is humiliating for TG's and goes unchallenged in the gay and straight communities alike. @Melissa... I'm disappointed in you. not only are you incredibly wrong about my post (i'm not this Drue person) you clearly either didn't read my initial post in full or you failed to grasp uts sarcasm. i'm glad you are on our side (yes I'm TS) but spend a little time reading comments before you thoughtlessly post in "support." your misapprehension of my tone, reveals you to be elitist, and judgmental. as for not grasping the english language. Umm ok, i think i do pretty well given it's my 2nd.

Name: justin wright
Date posted: 2009-09-02 5:06 PM
Hometown: columbus,ohio

Comment:

I am a gay Male of 27 yrs of age, I can say for a fact that nothing was wrong with what lil mama had said in the viewing of the show or otherwise. Some gay people just over do it a little just cause were gay does not mean that we have to act like farries or like heman . A women is defined to be a refined young lady. If you are on air in a show that millions are watching you should watch what you act like and how you perform that is the nature of being a artists/performer. coming from a current x music singer in the christian genre. i know more than most about how to act and how to not act. lil mama was not commenting on her status just pointing out that a lady does not show her attitude if that is truly who she wants to be a uptight man. The gay community needs to realize that not everything is racial or slander towards us if we are to have equal rights as black americans and every other nationlity we need to take a step back and just try to be equal with ourself's first and formost.

Name: Luke
Date posted: 2009-09-02 5:06 PM
Hometown: Kansas City

Comment:

lil mama has it right. ley is being a bitch. call her out on it. BUTTTTTTT recently I read an article about reality tv shows like these push people to their breaking points so that they do things they wouldn't do and create good tv shows and get ratings and viewers. They don't feed these people properly, they don't give them enough sleep, they cut them off from everything in the world and they give them alcohol to spark controversy. America needs to get over it's stupid obsession with reality tv. But on the other hand if you're stupid enough to go on one of these tv shows and subject yourself to what they put you through, than you deserve everything you get. Give Ley a break for her actions, but don't get mad at Lil' Mama for stating the truth.

Name: Shann
Date posted: 2009-09-02 5:04 PM
Hometown: Ontario, Canada

Comment:

Please. Lil Mama has repeatedly, week after week, shown her love for the group and for Leiomy specifically. Regardless of whether you find this specific comment in poor taste, the fact that she's been so supportive previously should at LEAST give her the benefit of the doubt. If this community is going to start freaking out on anyone who may express themselves poorly in one given instance, do we really deserve the respect we apparently demand? Lil Mama is an ally, and screaming bloody murder when an ally happens to say something that should have been worded better is a disgraceful way to behave toward them. With all of the true haters out there being more than willing to speak out in much harsher terms than what Lil Mama did, she's clearly not the enemy. I think it's ridiculous that such a big deal is being made out of something that was clearly not intended as it was apparently taken by some.

Name: Kevin
Date posted: 2009-09-02 4:32 PM
Hometown: Philly

Comment:

Let me just begin my comment by saying I'm not transgendered, I am a gay male. From my perspective, I don't fully understand the issue with Lil Mama's statement. She is acknowledging that Leiomy was born as a man and is transitioning to a female body and female gender role. This is no secret and is openly talked about on the show. Frankly, I see more issue with her comment as sexist, in that she is saying "a woman needs to act like this, and not that." In that regard, the statement was sexist more than it was offensive to the transgendered community. Of course, the statement was very stupid and Lil Mama should have considered being a bit more tactful. That's just my initial reaction. I'm interested to see what others think.

Name: Snoop Doggystyle
Date posted: 2009-09-02 4:18 PM
Hometown: Johnson

Comment:

Lil Mama was very offensive, and there are probably like only 2 people left in her fanclub called VYP, ya dig!!! She is also losing hair like my old grandpa, ya dig!!! Lil Mama was very offensive, and there are probably like only 2 people left in her fanclub called VYP, ya dig!!! She is also losing hair like my old grandpa, ya dig!!! Lil Mama was very offensive, and there are probably like only 2 people left in her fanclub called VYP, ya dig!!! She is also losing hair like my old grandpa, ya dig!!! Lil Mama was very offensive, and there are probably like only 2 people left in her fanclub called VYP, ya dig!!! She is also losing hair like my old grandpa, ya dig!!! Lil Mama was very offensive, and there are probably like only 2 people left in her fanclub called VYP, ya dig!!! She is also losing hair like my old grandpa, ya dig!!!

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