Las Vegas-based drag sensation Anetra, who gained immense popularity on season 15 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, has made the difficult decision to cancel her upcoming UK tour and take a break from the world of drag. Anetra’s iconic “walk that f**king duck” talent show performance endeared her to fans worldwide, ultimately landing her as the runner-up in the season’s grand finale, narrowly missing out on the crown to trans drag superstar Sasha Colby.
Initially set to embark on a tour of the UK and Ireland starting on October 20th in Dublin and concluding on November 7th in London, Anetra’s tour faced an unexpected cancellation. This decision was prompted by the tour’s promoter, Klub Kids, who had been struggling to contact Anetra, leading to uncertainty about the tour’s viability.
In a heartfelt statement addressing the cancellation and her current circumstances, Anetra shared, “This year has been very difficult for me in a lot of areas, and there is a lot happening behind the scenes – that I’m not ready to speak on at this time. I know this will disappoint a lot of people, but I am a human being and just need a moment to heal properly and return to [you] 100 per cent.” While expressing her continued love for drag, she emphasized the necessity of stepping away temporarily to prioritize her well-being.
Anetra’s message concluded with RuPaul’s iconic quote, “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell can you love somebody else?” and was signed with her given name, Isaiah.
Concerns have been mounting among Anetra’s fans since the end of season 15, as she has notably been absent from social media and has canceled other gigs throughout the year. In June, she shared an update with her fans, acknowledging that she is “not healthy right now” following surgery. In response to her plea to stop sending hate messages, fans have rallied around her, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding the challenges she faces.
As the LGBTQ community rallies behind Anetra during this challenging time, her supporters are sending messages of love and support, reminding everyone that even drag queens, like Anetra, are humans who deserve compassion and respect.