Dance Crew’s Lil Mama Apologizes

America’s Best Dance Crew judge Lil Mama has issued an apology to the LGBT community and transgender contestant Leiomy Maldonado for comments she made on Sunday’s show.

America’s Best Dance Crew judge Lil Mama has issued an apology to the LGBT community and transgender contestant Leiomy Maldonado for comments she made on Sunday’s show.

"I would like to clarify anything that was misunderstood from Sunday's show,” Lil Mama said in a statement released by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. “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."

Maldonado, who dances with the all-gay dance group Vogue Evolution, was taken to task by Lil Mama for her attitude. In a video of the group’s rehearsal shown before their performance, Maldonado was seen yelling at the rest of the group and walking out of rehearsal.

“Leiomy, come on. Your behavior… it’s unacceptable,” Lil Mama said after watching their performance. “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.”

Moments after the show aired, trans activists and allies took to the Web to complain about Lil Mama’s comments. GLAAD reported on its blog that it had received numerous complains with regard to Lil Mama’s comments.

In earlier performances, Lil Mama has openly expressed her support of Vogue Evolution and, specifically, Leiomy. After the group performed a routine to the Beyoncé song “Déjà Vu,” she said, “It took a transgender woman to bring out the femininity of Sasha Fierce.”

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Name: Dance
Date posted: 9/14/2009 8:00:48 AM
Hometown: http://www.sohbethiphop.com

Comment:
ı love you super dance style Dance Crew
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Name: Julio
Date posted: 9/7/2009 11:29:21 PM
Hometown: Woonsocket, RI

Comment:
i honestly don't know why u guys r making a big deal out of it lil mama was justtrying to make a point there is so many people that wish they were in abdc and the ones that are in be acting dumb get ur act together and like lil mama said act like a lady
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Name: Matthew
Date posted: 9/7/2009 11:59:54 AM
Hometown: Pensacola

Comment:
What's the big deal with what Lil' Mama said? She is right. If she wants to be a lady she needs to act like one. She's on a national television show, she shouldn't be acting out like that in front of cameras.
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Name: Chris
Date posted: 9/7/2009 11:48:30 AM
Hometown: Barrington

Comment:
haha This is so ridiculous...first off, it's moronic to actually listen to anything Lil Mama says about anything without laughing because she never makes any sense. Listening to her talk is like watching a deer walk for the first time...her speech is clumsy and never seems to come to a point. Second, I agree with the previous posts in asking why allies must jump on every chance to be offended? It's Lil Mama...does anyone actually care what she has to say about anything? Will her ideas be written into law? Give is a rest people...
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Name: Gustav
Date posted: 9/7/2009 9:15:15 AM
Hometown: Columbia, Misery

Comment:
Lil Mama should stick to the subject matter....which is dancing. Granted, what she said about gender has nothing to do with anything, but it wasn't an evil, rude, or biggoted statement either. Let it go. Children are getting killed by landmines for crying out loud. By the way, Lil Mama is famous for.......? What? Is she at the 13 minute mark of her 15?
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Name: express
Date posted: 9/7/2009 3:05:18 AM
Hometown: minneapolis

Comment:
i know right. who would have thought a super hot dancer leading a group of other super dancers would have become a diva.....errr duh!
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Name: John
Date posted: 9/6/2009 11:32:08 PM
Hometown: Far Far Away

Comment:
The "LGBT" community needs to loosen up and stop being so offended at every little thing people say. It seems like every day someone is having to apologize for some little comment that was blown way out of proportion because the gay community goes whining and crying every time someone makes a little comment that they find offensive. Stop making yourselves the victim so much people.
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Name: Jose
Date posted: 9/6/2009 7:06:50 PM
Hometown: Los Angeles

Comment:
that really "hurted" me
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Name: Ben
Date posted: 9/5/2009 6:00:34 PM
Hometown: Phoenix

Comment:
Blown out of proportion.
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Name: Michael
Date posted: 9/5/2009 4:22:05 PM
Hometown: DENVER,CO

Comment:
Lil Mama should remember to think before you speak and open her big flap. If you are making a coment about Le's behavior then stick to that point not go into gender. If Le was behaving badly coment on her poor behavior not her gender. It does matter your gender if you acting like a prima donna then you are acting like prima donna.

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