RuPaul's Drag Race star Utica Queen has issued an apology after making jokes about the weight of several co-stars in the latest episode, in particular Michelle Visage.
The 25-year-old US star, who has been competing in Season 13 of the iconic show, was sent packing this week after she failed to garner many laughs during an awkward roast challenge.
The premise of this week's challenge saw the season's six remaining queens - Utica, Gottmik, Kandy Muse, Olivia Lux, Rose and Symone - take to the stage for a comedy performance where they roasted former Drag Race royalty, Heidi N Closet, Nina West and Valentina.
Following the roast, in which Utica's jokes were branded particularly 'mean', the drag queen was met with criticism for targeting people's weight.
Utica has now taken to social media to address the complaints and apologise for her 'bad taste' in jokes.
Utica wrote: "I want to apologize my performance in this ep of DR. Especially to @LoniLove, @michellevisage, and @NinaWest, the jokes were in bad taste and my attempt at roast humor was for the lack of better words, horrible.. Making fun of people’s size is not okay. I’m truly sorry."
She also added on Instagram : "This EP of RPDR was uncomfortable. I apologize to those who were offended by my crude jokes. I feel saddened that themes of body shaming are still prevalent in today’s TV, and I don’t want to perpetuate any body negativity with tasteless jokes. Nothing was done with cruel intentions. Love each other and your bodies in every shape and size."
Following her message, Utica also received responses from Nina West and Loni Love - who urged the star not to be so hard on herself.
Nina West, who was one of the targets roasted by Utica, responded: "Babe!!! It is a roast, and we were all in on it and fully aware it was a roast. Give yourself a little grace."
"You are fabulous Utica... it’s a roast so no offense was taken... I really enjoy watching you this season!!" replied Loni Love.
During the episode in question, Utica acknowledged that her performance was 'bombing' yet still made comments directed at several co-star's weight.
Despite warnings from Michelle Visage and Loni Love about her roasts being too 'harsh' ahead of her performance, Utica steamed ahead with crude jokes about Nina West speaking whale and Loni's comedy performance being 'hard to swallow'.
At one point in Utica's performance, RuPaul even gave the drag queen two middle fingers.
The awkward performance, which featured several jaw-dropping moments and made for tough viewing, has received a mixed bag of criticism. Some viewers took offence while many others pointed out that several queens actually made jokes about weight, just Utica's weren't funny.
Following a tense lipsync against Symone, it was Utica that was asked to sashay away.
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