Organizers for the Who Hotter Than Me dance contest violated the city school’s rental policies, and the show has been cancelled, officials said Thursday.
The show was not sponsored by the school system, but by a private business, Solid Hitters Majorette Dancing. The contact person for the group, Alisha Love, refused to answer a reporter’s questions about the program and abruptly ended the call.
Parents began contacting media and the school system after a social media post about the show noted that nationally recognized dance coach Tyrus Sellers would be a celebrity judge.
Sellers is listed as a “coach and makeup artist” who is best known for his work with the Elite Starz of Nashville, Tenn., a nationally known dance troupe. He has also participated in several reality shows, and has earned a social media following where he is known by his nickname, “Boo Boo Kitty”.
Sellers uses the handle “coachboobookitty” on Instagram, where multiple photographs show Sellers in a variety of women’s clothing, and makeup.
Promotional photos for the Whiteville program show Sellers in full makeup, long painted fingernails and false eyelashes.
Concerned parents began contacting CCN Wednesday night.
“Is Whiteville City Schools allowing a drag queen to host a so-called “dance competition” at Whiteville High School on August 26th? If so, are you okay with that?” one message read. “Please contact WCS and demand to know what’s going on August 26th. If this is correct, and is allowed, we will see more drag queens in our schools soon. This is not the woke cesspool of Raleigh or Charlotte. It’s small town USA and the citizens of this area do not want drag queens in our schools.”
Fans of Sellers were critical of the system’s decision as well as the coverage of the controversy.
“I am reaching out in regards to the recent article that was published in regards to the dance competition that was going to take place next weekend,” K. Terrell wrote in an email. “I am a part of one of the teams that registered for said competition and I am offended at what was written. My team as well as several others have spent time and money preparing for this competition and for it to be cancelled because of the cities beliefs is ridiculous. The young man who is hosting has been hosting all over the world. He had also hosted several in North Carolina alone. And for you to paint him as a drag queen is uncalled for. The dance community has seen this ad and I’m sure there will be others who will be reaching out.”
After CCN published a story citing the concerns of parents, Sellers posted on social media that he was disappointed he wouldn’t be coming to Whiteville. He denied being a drag queen.
“The opportunity was for the community and the kids, and also put Whiteville NC on the map,” Sellers wrote. “And correction…I’m not a drag queen…I’m HUMAN.
“I honestly have to say now…I Do NOT feel comfortable now with even coming…I have to protect who I am and the safety of my Life. I pray that the city of Whiteville NC always remember…Love is love and God see everything.”
The competition show at WHS is billed as “the most electrifying dance competition of the year”, according to the Eventbrite webpage. Majorette dance teams from all over the country were scheduled to attend and compete.
