If you’ve had access to an internet connection in the past week, chances are that you’ve heard about the growing list of complaints against actress and singer Lea Michele.
The former ‘Glee’ star was confronted with a wave of accusations of racism and general nasty behaviour from ex cast-mates, and it appears that despite her underwhelming apology, those accusations will not be slowing down anytime soon.
Trans singer and model Plastic Martyr has taken to social media to share her story with Lea Michele, and well… it’s as upsetting as you’re probably assuming.
Plastic Martyr wrote on Instagram that her interaction with Michele was in a bathroom at an Emmy’s awards night. According to the singer and model, Michele chastised her for being in the women’s bathroom, leaving Martyr feeling “self-conscious and embarrassed”.
Martyr recalled that as she reached for the soap to wash her hands, she said “excuse me” to Michele. Reportedly, Michele turned and said “Excuse me?! Excuse me?? Excuse you… you realise you’re in the women’s bathroom”.
In her post on the exchange, Martyr wrote that she wasn’t hoping to kick off more hate or “cancel someone’s career” but rather, highlight the kinds of experiences trans people contend with:
“It’s to hopefully open people’s eyes up to the horrible transphobia that exists but no one really talks about. The press doesn’t cover transgender stories or trans people, our experiences often go ignored. Trans people aren’t the enemy, and we aren’t the punchline to your jokes. Since the rest of the world tries to silence us it’s our job to use our voices and share our stories and experiences. Hopefully one day soon people will start to understand and respect trans people instead of villainizing or mocking us.”
According to Page Six, Michele is taking all this criticism on board and is vowing to do better. It’s reported that a friend of Michele’s told The Post that this has been a “wake-up call”.
“Lea was a bitch to a lot of people who are now taking the opportunity to come forward,” a source told the publication.
“She may not be the nicest person, but she’s not racist, sexist or transphobic. I would say she has behavioural issues that she’s dealing with. She is listening, she hears what everyone says and wants to apologize. This is her past and she wants to handle things responsibly.”
That, or she’s desperately trying to mend her public image. Either way, this kind of behaviour can’t continue.
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