Vogue Evolution Returns for the ABDC Finale
September 28, 2009
Vogue Evolution, the all-gay and transgender dance crew on Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew, returned to the hit MTV show last night for the season four finale after being eliminated earlier this month.
The nine crews that started the season were divided into groups of threes for judge’s choice collaborations. Judge Lil Mama, who ran into some controversy with the LGBT community earlier in the season, selected Vogue Evolution to perform with Artistry in Motion and We Are Heroes, the eventual winners of the competition. The fabulous new super crew performed a showstopping routine to “Girls On the Dance Floor” by Far East Movement.
You can check out to whole episode below:
Related Posts:Vogue Evolution Finishes Fifth on America’s Best Dance Crew
September 8, 2009
On Sunday’s edition of Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew, Vogue Evolution, the first all gay and transgender crew to compete on the show, was sent home by the judges after the viewer vote landed them in the bottom two for the first time.
Vogue Evolution
Vogue Evolution’s participation on the MTV competition over the past several weeks was groundbreaking. From the very moment they were introduced to America, the five members of Vogue Evolution were very up front and open about their sexual orientations and gender identity, using ABDC as a platform to increase LGBT visibility.
Particularly noteworthy was Leiomy Maldonado, Vogue Evolution’s openly transgender member. Leiomy’s participation on ABDC made her one of only two prominent transgender people on television, the other being Jaila Simms on MTV’s Making His Band. While the show did a good job of relating the story of these five LGBT young people, judge Lil Mama angered many in the LGBT community the week prior to Vogue Evolution’s elimination after she made remarks that were insensitive regarding Leiomy’s gender identity. After being contacted by GLAAD, Lil Mama issued an apology.
Though Vogue Evolution will be missed on ABDC, they are far from over. Many other LGBT blogs besides glaadBLOG, such as AfterElton and Pam’s House Blend, became avid fan’s of the out dancers and helped spread the word among the community. Be sure to continue checking back here for the latest on what the future holds for this talented fivesome.
Related Posts:GLAAD Receives Apology from Lil Mama for Comments Made on America’s Best Dance Crew
September 2, 2009
On Monday we reported an incident that occurred on Sunday’s edition of America’s Best Dance Crew in which judge Lil Mama made misinformed comments to transgender contestant Leiomy Maldonado. After receiving numerous complaints from constituents, GLAAD reach out to MTV and Lil Mama.
Lil Mama on the set of "America's Best Dance Crew"
This morning recieved an apology from Lil Mama:
Lil Mama: “I would like to clarify anything that was misunderstood from Sunday’s show. My remarks were never meant to be disrespectful regarding Leiomy’s gender nor offensive to the LGBT community, which has been a community that has supported me in all my endeavors. However, in hindsight, I recognize that my words may have come across as hurtful. I spoke with her privately after the taping to express that it was not my intent to offend her or any member of the transgender community and that I still live for Vogue Evolution.”
GLAAD’s Senior Director of Media Programs, Rashad Robinson, responded to Lil Mama’s statement:
“While we thank Lil Mama for her apology, this incident demonstrates the need for more education around the lives and experiences of transgender people. Lil Mama’s comments during her critique attempted to impose standards of conformity for gender identity and expression — a mistake that many people make,” said Rashad Robinson, Senior Director of Media Programs at GLAAD.
Vogue Evolution's Leiomy Maldonado
“Transgender people, particularly transgender women of color, become targets of discrimination and violence when inaccuracies and acts of insult like this are advanced. Contrary to what was said on the program, as an openly transgender woman and dance contestant, Leiomy is living her truth,” Robinson continued.
“It was surprising that MTV, a network that has shown a strong commitment to fair and accurate inclusion of transgender and gay people, would choose to air a clip that includes such disrespectful comments,” said Robinson. MTV has not yet publicly addressed the comments made by Lil Mama in the episode.
GLAAD’s full statment can be found on our homepage.
Related Posts:Lil Mama Makes Controversial Critique on America’s Best Dance Crew
August 31, 2009
Underlying conflict rose to the surface for Vogue Evolution last night on America’s Best Dance Crew as Leiomy said she was homesick and was shown acting out in rehearsal footage. After their performance, judge Lil Mama waded into controversy with some of her comments to Leiomy.
Lil' Mama
After walking out of dress rehearsal, Leiomy says that she has decided to stay because she recognizes that she has become a prominent representative of the transgender community on television and does not want to let down her fans.
Lil Mama opens her comments by stating that she “live[s] for Vogue Evolution,” offers a critical analysis of their performance and then addresses Leiomy directly:
“Leiomy, come on. Your behavior…it’s unacceptable. I just feel that you always have to remember your truth. You were born a man and you are becoming a woman. If you’re going to become a woman, act like a lady. Don’t be a bird, like ‘Oh my god, I’m not doing this!’ You know what I’m saying? It gets too crazy and it gets confusing. You’re doing this for America. Even though you’re the face for transgenders, you’re the face of America right now with this group and it’s not about anybody else. It’s about y’all. You know what I’m saying? So do it for the team. Do it for the team.”
You can watch video of the performance here.
GLAAD has received a number of complaints from concerned constituents regarding Lil Mama’s comments. We are currently reviewing the events and have reached out to MTV. We hope to have an update soon.
Related Posts:Sneak Preview: Behind the Scenes with ABDC’s Vogue Evolution
August 28, 2009
Yesterday, GLAAD’s Entertainment Media Team had the privilege of visiting the set of Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew and checking out Vogue Evolution as they rehearsed for the Bollywood themed episode that will air on Sunday.
Next week we’ll be posting video of the interview we conducted with Vogue Evolution. In the meantime, here are a few photos of the fab five to tide you over:
For this week's show, all crews must incorporate aspects of Bollywood into their dance
From left: Pony, Daeshaun, Prince and Leiomy (5th member Malachi was unable to attend the interview)
From left: Daeshaun, Entertainment Media Manager Jonathan Rosales, Pony, Leiomy, Director of Entertainment Media Taj Paxton, and Prince
