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Lizzo brings drag queens on stage at Tennessee show after the state banned drag shows in public places

Home> Music

Updated 02:59 24 Apr 2023 GMT+1Published 23:06 23 Apr 2023 GMT+1

Lizzo brings drag queens on stage at Tennessee show after the state banned drag shows in public places

The singer was told not to go to Knoxville, but she felt it would be better to provide a safe space for drag entertainers.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

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Lizzo has held a protest against a new Tennessee law during one of her performances.

The US state recently brought in a new law that banned 'adult cabaret' in public or in front of children.

Despite Governor Bill Lee signing the bill into law back in February, it was blocked by a federal judge a month later because the wording of the law was too 'vague', according to NBC News.

Well, Lizzo wanted to make her views on the proposed law very clear as she brought a slew of drag queens out on stage with her during her show in Knoxville.

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At her show in the Thompson-Boling Arena, the singer welcomed the likes of Aquaria, Kandy Muse, Asia O’Hara and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo from Rupaul's Drag Race.

She told the crowd: “In light of recent and tragic events and current events, I was told by people on the internet, ‘Cancel your shows in Tennessee,’ ‘Don’t go to Tennessee'.

“Their reason was valid, but why would I not come to the people who need to hear this message the most?

"Why would I not create a safe space in Tennessee where we can celebrate drag entertainers and celebrate our differences?”

The crowd went understandably wild as the drag queens graced the stage alongside the Grammy Award-winning artist.

“What people in Tennessee are doing is giving hope, so thank you so much for standing up for your rights, protecting each other and holding the people accountable who should be protecting us," she said.

People praised Lizzo for standing up to the law in the comments section on social media.

One user said: "This is how you do it, this is how you support people, this is how you speak up, this is how you can be an ally."

Another added: "Tennessee, Kentucky and neighboring states NEED this message so thank you!"

Tennessee's law banning 'adult cabaret' includes 'topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators'.

However, according to Deadline, this means loads of theatre productions wouldn't be allowed to go ahead, like Rent, Kinky Boots and Mrs. Doubtfire.

Lizzo isn't the only performer to use drag queens in their performances to protest against Tennessee's policies.

Country pop singer Kelsea Ballerini brought drag performers on stage at this year's Country Music Television Awards as she sang 'If You Go Down'.

The CMT's were held in Tennessee this year and it was brave of Ballerini to make the small protest.

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Lizzo

Topics: Lizzo, Music, LGBTQ, US News

Stewart Perrie
Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Senior Journalist at LADbible. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign. He is in charge of the LADbible Australia editorial content and social presence.

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@stewartperrie

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