Drag king Woody has withdrawn from Universal Sydney’s $10,000 Slay 2 Stay drag competition despite being reinstated to it following their controversial elimination.
Citing his physical and mental health as reasons for withdrawing, Woody posted a long message to their Instagram on Monday explaining why they were bowing out of the comp.
“After careful consideration between myself and those close to me, it is with some sadness that I have chosen to withdraw from the rest of Slay 2 Stay,” wrote Woody, adding that “I've had enough drama to last me a lifetime!”
Said Woody: “This is a personal decision for my own health, and one I have not taken lightly.”
Last Wednesday, Woody was eliminated from the comp when he was placed by the judges as a third option in the bottom 2 for the audience to save from going home.
Woody was then sent home after receiving the least number of audience votes.
This came after Woody informed Slay 2 Stay judges and co-hosts Carmen Geddit and Charisma Belle on the Sunday prior to that week’s performance that he was sick with COVID and unable to perform.
As a solution to keep Woody in the comp while sick, the judges tried to bring back previously eliminated contestants for a wildcard round, but many of them didn’t wish to return or felt at a disadvantage because they only had three days to prepare, Belle told Gay Sydney News last week.
Another potential solution was to have Woody record their performance from home, which would have then been played on Universal’s big screen.
But this offer was declined.
Ultimately, Woody didn’t perform and the judges placed him up for audience elimination. He was then eliminated.
After Woody reached out to Universal following their elimination, he was reinstated to the comp. Woody’s fans had complained that it was unfair for him to be eliminated while unwell.
Woody said on Monday that when he reached out to Universal following his elimination, “it was not for the purpose of reinstating myself in the competition – indeed I wasn't aware that was a possibility”.
“But, when I was offered a place, I was hopeful that I would be well enough to finish the comp, and I prepared my acts (they're all very good if I do say so myself, so try [and] catch me in the new year and you might just get to see some of them….),” he said.
“However, after longer consideration, my physical and mental health could not have sustained me through the last two weeks of the competition.
“I am grateful to everyone who has supported me for the entirety of Slay 2 Stay.
“It has been a truly heartening experience to see how many people are excited to see kings on stages. I love you all dearly.
“My message hasn't changed – support your local drag kings!
“Thank you for your support – this is my decision and I'm content with it.
“I’m pretty exhausted so I'll be taking a rest to recuperate – but don't worry I'll be back to my silly cowboy antics sometime soon! I'd love it if you could send your support from afar and not reach out at this time, I'm feeling quite overwhelmed and will be taking some time off social media to chill.
“To the rest of the Slay contestants: you all rock and I'm so excited to see who comes out on top.
“Good luck with the rest of the comp! Thank you to Universal who have been incredibly kind, open, and understanding. Love you all! Yee haw!”
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: [email protected]
