Actavia has set the record straight regarding her “twink” comments on Drag Race UK.
Spoilers ahead.
This week, the season six cast were split into two “ghoul groups” and were tasked with writing, recording and performing verses to the spooktacular original track, ‘Dead or Alive.’
Charra Tea, Rileasa Slaves, Lill, Kiki Snatch, and La Voix formed ‘Ghoul Group One’ aka The Things, while Chanel O’Conor, Zahirah Zapanta, Marmalade, Actavia and Kyran Thrax made up ‘Ghoul Group Two’ who later established themselves as Dracula’s Child.
While the episode was full of iconic moments and hilarious hijinks, it also generated some controversy online, specifically regarding Actavia’s explanation of the word “twink” to Drag Race guest Alexandra Burke.
After the X-Factor winner admitted to the queens that she had no idea what the term meant, the Welsh queen responded: “So a twink is like a genre of gays, like a white skinny boy. But on Halloween, a lot of them are like, ‘You are not ready for my outfit,’ and they just come out in a crop top and a pair of jeans.”
Since the episode’s release, a handful of fans have pushed back against Actavia and her labelling a twink as a “white skinny boy”.
In response to the backlash, the 21-year-old performer took to her Twitter/X account on 18 October to clarify her statement.
“Heyyy everyone! I just wanted to pop on here as I’ve seen quite a few comments about my use of the word ‘white’ when explaining to Alexandra what a twink is,” she wrote.
“I totally understand why some people have reacted the way they have because it comes across like I was saying that twinks are exclusively white, which is, of course, not the case whatsoever.
— Actavia (@actavia_) October 18, 2024
“I was just describing myself because I do typically fit into the stereotypical description of what a twink is. I was also trying to poke fun at what some people call ‘demon twinks’ with the crop top/Halloween costume comment.”
Actavia went on to say that she wasn’t trying to “define the whole demographic of what it is to be a twink” before offering an apology.
“I really didn’t mean it to come across as gatekeeping the word in any way or cause offence to anyone at all so I am extremely sorry for that. Lots of love, Accy,” she concluded.
Shortly after sharing her statement, fans flocked Actavia’s mentions with messages of support.
One person wrote: “That’s what I first thought when you used it, but still thank you for explaining it! Love youu.”
Another fan tweeted: “As soon as you said it, I knew people would have a problem. We know what you meant and please don’t stress.”
A third viewer added: “Not the apology message for the definition of a twink. I love this season.”
On next week’s episode of Drag Race UK, the queens will be appearing on the Graham Norton Show, the touring production.
For a complete recap of this week’s DRUK release, click here.
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