Real Housewives star Candiace Dillard issues grovelling apology for ‘careless and crass’ anti-LGBT+ tweets
Candiace Dillard attends the Power Final Season Premiere held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Efren Landaos/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty)
The Real Housewives of Potomac star Candiace Dillard has been forced to make a public apology for resurfaced anti-gay and anti-trans tweets.
According to Bravo, “Candiace Dillard Bassett is a sassy and savvy 33-year-old former Miss United States born in Biloxi, Mississippi.”
She is currently “the founder and CEO of Candiace Dillard Pageant Consulting, co-founder of Prima Hair Collection by Candiace Dillard, and co-owner of Chateau Salon Suites”.
But on Wednesday, 11 August, Real Housewives fans on Twitter began unearthing anti-gay and anti-trans tweets Dillard had posted in 2010 and 2011.
Although most of the tweets have now been deleted, screenshots show that Dillard wrote in 2010: “I’m personally turned off by men who r too into fashion. It’s a fine line.
“When u do too much, I’m disgusted. Makes me think ‘gay’.”
She also wrote that she is “irked” by “queenie gay men”, and added in 2011: “If you wanna be or are gay then do you. But wtf is up with dudes wanting to be women?”
get her girls! pic.twitter.com/PoCdG7Sgxq
— ???? (@kaifetus) August 12, 2020
As criticism grew over her past tweets, Dillard decided to make a public apology for her “careless” and “crass” comments.
She wrote on Twitter and Instagram: “I want to address tweets that resurfaced from nearly 10 years ago that may have offended people I love dearly and those who have supported me as a Potomac Housewife.
“To my loyal fanbase, particularly the LGBT+ viewers, thank you for your unwavering support. I love you.
“I, alone, am responsible for my words and I deeply regret saying anything that could have hurt my friends, colleagues, family and fans.
“At the time I was a private citizen, speaking carelessly and crassly as we often do, and for my lack of better judgment, I am sorry.”
She said she has “always” considered herself an LGBT+ ally, and added: “I recognise my words were insensitive, and undermined the support, reverence and love I have consistently tried to demonstrate through advocacy for LGBT+ rights and causes, as well as my personal relationships with those who identify as LGBT+.”
Dillard said her language “wasn’t acceptable back then, and it isn’t acceptable now”, and insisted that she was “deeply sorry” and that the backlash had been a “teachable moment”.
