The VMAs has always been a great space for platforming queer talent – notably the iconic queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Nearly every year, loads of the queens from current seasons get an invite to the red carpet. This year, a lot of Drag Race legends were in attendance including Laganja Estranja, Symone, Denali, Jewels Sparkles, Onya Nurve, Lexi Love, Sam Star and of course, Willam. Willam is notorious not only for being one of the most loved queens from the franchise in the eyes of the fans, but also famously for having a terrible reputation with RuPaul and World of Wonder who make the show. After Willam and other queens from Drag Race performed with Sabrina Carpenter at the VMAs last night – the show lowkey acknowledged Willam’s existence for the first time in years but has done so in a way that people quickly pointed out to be the shadiest way imaginable.
Poor Willam
Who caught our #DragRace girlies on stage with @SabrinaAnnLynn?
#VMAs pic.twitter.com/Oi7UaLke87
— RuPaul’s Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) September 8, 2025
Last night, Sabrina Carpenter proved herself to be the kind of ally every pop girly should try to be. Whilst performing her latest single Tears from her number one album Man’s Best Friend, Sabrina Carpenter repped for trans rights in a time we need big pop stars to do so on such a large platform. She was joined by trans Drag Race queens Laganja and Lexi Love, as well as Willam, Denali, Symone and other alumni.
Drag Race celebrated the performance on its official page and tweeted out “Who caught our Drag Race girlies on stage with Sabrina Carpenter” But whilst the Drag Race account posted celebrating the queens at the VMAs with Sabrina Carpenter, the show also posted a pic of Willam but in a way many are deeming shady.
It’s a photo of the back of Willam’s head. The X response has clocked it fast, especially Drag Race fans. One popular Drag Race fan account said “Drag Race is so petty lmao why they chose the only pic where Willam’s face is hidden.”
drag race is so petty lmaooo why they chose the only pic where willam’s face is hidden
https://t.co/gfYUrBhGvM
— ray
(@mascarayde) September 8, 2025
Willam has frequently had friction with the show and RuPaul after arguing with Ru directly regarding Ru’s former friend and makeup artist Mathu Anderson. Willam has also widely criticised the show and how things are ran behind the scenes – including the treatment of queens competing.
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Willam has celebrated the appearance nonetheless, posting a really wholesome behind the scenes pic with Sabrina Carpenter and Denali.
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