‘Legendary’ judge Jameela Jamil is still learning about ballroom culture

Following the initial backlash of her casting as a judge on HBO’s ballroom voguing competition show “Legendary,” Jameela Jamil says she and fellow judge Megan Thee Stallion are “the voice of the audience.”

“I think some people are confused and they expect all of the judges to be experts, which is completely understandable, but I also think that because this show is still quite new and this community is new to so many people, it’s a fun way for the audience to be able to learn alongside Megan and I,” Jamil, 34, said during the HBO Max show’s ATX TV…from the Couch panel on Friday.

She added, “Not to speak for Megan, but it’s just like us learning and experiencing this, we are the window in, the voice of the audience.”

Megan explained that she wants to use her platform to bring awareness to that world.

“I have some reach,” the 25-year-old rapper said. “I can reach other people that [don’t] know anything about it and I know that they will feel the same way I feel about it … People need to know about this, they need to see. I can’t even explain the way it made me feel and I really want other people to feel the warmth that I feel.

“I don’t have a big family, but when I was there, I really felt like, everybody accepted me … I may not know everything about it, but baby I’m learning.”

The lack of experience in the ballroom culture is made up by celebrity stylist Law Roach, who grew up attending ballroom competitions, and Leiomy Maldonado, who is known as the “Wonder Woman of Vogue.”

“I hope that the world learns respect for the community,” Maldonado said. “I feel like a lot of times people are quick to disrespect people from our community. They’re not easily to celebrate and acknowledge people of our community and I feel like this show is going to help with that and I think this show is going to inspire people in ways that other shows cannot because it’s so authentic.”

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