Jameela Jamil comes out as ‘queer’ following backlash over new judging panel role

Jameela Jamil has come out as "queer" as she hits out at backlash over her new judging job.

She made the revelation on Twitter after she was slammed for being a seemingly heterosexual woman joining the judging panel of Legendary, a competition focused on ballroom culture and Vogueing and a predominately queer show.

Many believed that to reflect its themes, its judges should all be members of the LGBTQ+ community, and Jamil decided to explain that she was a member of this community to use "privilege and power" to "elevate marginalised stars."

Coming out is not always an easy thing to do. This army specialist, however, decided to do it on live TV: 

Beginning her post by writing "Twitter is brutal", she wrote: "This is why I never officially came out as queer.

"I added a rainbow to my name when I felt ready a few years ago, as it's not easy within the south Asian community to be accepted, and I always answered honestly if ever straight-up asked about it on Twitter."

"But I kept it low because I was scared of the pain of being accused of performative bandwagon jumping, over something that caused me a lot of confusion, fear and turmoil when I was a kid.

"I didn't come from a family with *anyone* openly out. It's also scary as an actor to openly admit your sexuality, especially when you’re already a brown female in your thirties. This is absolutely not how I wanted it to come out."

Jamil is currently dating James Blake.

Credit: PA Images

She concluded: "I'm jumping off this hell app for a while because I don't want to read mean comments dismissing this. You can keep your thoughts."

Referring to her position on Legendary, she said that while she wasn't "qualified" to comment on ballroom culture, she was going to use her "privilege and power" on the show.

Jameela said: "I'm not the MC. I'm not the main host. I'm just a lead judge due to my 11 years of hosting experience, being fully impartial, a newcomer to ballroom (like much of the audience will be) and therefore a window in for people who are just discovering it now, and being a long time ally of the LGBTQ community."