Slay 2 Stay contestant Woody has been reinstated in the high-stakes $10,000 Universal Sydney drag competition after controversy erupted over how he was eliminated this week.
Drag king Woody was unable to perform in the comp this Wednesday after informing Slay 2 Stay hosts and judges Carmen Geddit and Charisma Belle on Sunday that he had COVID.
“So we had to scramble to see what could be done,” Belle told GSN. “[As a solution], we invited all eliminated contestants for a wildcard round – to give everyone time off [including Woody], so [remaining contestants] had time to prepare [for next week].
“But a lot of those [eliminated] contestants didn’t want to return, or felt at a disadvantage because they didn’t have time to prepare.”
As another solution, Woody was asked by the hosts if he could film his performance at home, which would have then been played on the big screen on Wednesday night.
But this was declined, Belle said, “which is fair enough”.
“It was a spanner in the works and we [then had] a contestant [Woody] who wasn’t happy. All these discussions [to find a solution], and asking 6 contestants, [who] all have jobs and things, can’t happen that quickly.”
With no solution found to have Woody participate, it led to him being put up for audience elimination at the end of Wednesday night’s performances, alongside the other bottom two performers of the night as decided by the judges, which included drag queens Hannah Conda, Belle & Geddit.
Woody was then sent home after receiving the least number of audience votes to save him from elimination, resulting in Woody’s supporters voicing their concerns about unfairness.
“Woody felt left out of [the] decision, but we were hoping to come up with a way that was fair for all and keep Woody part of [the comp],” said Belle.
The “pushback” against the controversial elimination, said Belle, came from Woody and his fanbase.
“[We’ve been] lucky in past years with a sick performer that we [could] do a wildcard round to give contestants [the] same amount of time [to rehearse],” said Belle. “Unfortunately this year’s [batch of eliminated contestants] didn’t want to [do this].”
Extending the competition also wasn’t an option due to Christmas, Belle said, adding that it was “one of those horrible circumstances”.
Since the elimination, Woody has been reinstated after voicing his concerns.
This came, according to Belle’s co-host Carmen Geddit, after Woody bypassed the judges and expressed their concerns directly to Universal.
In a statement posted to its Instagram on Thursday, Universal said that, after a discussion with the judges, a “decision has been made to have Woody perform his showstopper performance at the beginning of the show next Wednesday and participate in next week’s challenge”.
“This will, however, be followed by a double elimination,” it added.
Geddit said she thought it was “disrespectful” to be bypassed in the initial discussions to potentially have Woody reinstated.
“Some people just have their panties in a wad about their favourite contestant going home,” Geddit of Woody’s supporters.
“Instead of realising it’s just a competition, they [supporters of Woody] have descended into name-calling and threats.
“It’s actually rather sad.
“Some people have too much time on their hands and not enough gigs.”
Geddit’s comments came after she put a post on her Instagram story on Thursday saying: “A lot of name-calling going on today but I have to let you know that your words don’t hurt me and never will because I don’t respect you… [kissing emoji]”
GSN does not suggest that Woody participated in any of the alleged name-calling and no one could immediately be identified as participating in this activity.
Woody told GSN he didn’t have the energy to respond to questions in detail, but said he was “talking to Universal and dealing with everything amicably and privately with them”.
Geddit said it was disappointing that name-calling was coming from the community.
“It’s been happening a lot more with the younger generation … a generation who has no idea how much time and energy we have put into the community over our careers,” Geddit said. “It’s the same generation I don’t see giving back to the community, just tearing it down. It’s very sad.
“I’ve actually received a huge outpouring of support and love from the community, far outweighing any negative feedback about 30:1. It’s important to note that our community really is a supportive and loving one…”
Slay 2 Stay will resume at Universal next Wednesday at 9pm.
Next week will be the semi-final in the nail-biting competition before a winner is crowned before Christmas.
Those who remain in the competition are Gothic, Karna Ford, Jackel Doll, Vendetta, Nursa Jat and Woody.
Who do you think should win? Let us know in the comments.
Ben Grubb is the founder and editor of Gay Sydney News, an independent publication covering LGBTQIA+ news. A journalist with more than 15 years' experience, he has reported and edited for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, ZDNet, TelecomTimes and iTnews, primarily on the topic of technology. He previously hosted The Informer, a queer current affairs program on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9 radio station, and contributes to LGBTQIA+ media including Stun Magazine. Ben has also appeared as a technology commentator on Channel Ten's The Project, ABC RN’s Download This Show and commercial radio stations 2UE, 2GB and 6PR. Contact Ben: ben.grubb@gaysydneynews.com.au
Eliot Hastie is a senior news producer at Channel Ten, reporting on a range of general stories, specialising in foreign affairs and LGBTQ+ stories. He’s also a reporter for Gay Sydney News, where he covers LGBTQIA+ culture, politics and nightlife. He previously helped to build and launch ausbiz, Australia's only live streaming finance news channel, where he was also an executive producer and host. He has previously worked as a finance and business journalist for publications including Fintech Business, Real Estate Business and other Momentum Media titles. Eliot holds a journalism degree from the University of Westminster and brings experience in both broadcast and digital reporting. Contact Eliot: eliot.hastie@gaysydneynews.com.au
