India Willoughby caused a rift in the 'Celebrity Big Brother' house after claiming she has a "phobia" of men who dress as women.
India Willoughby
The star rose to fame after becoming Britain's first transgender television newsreader, and in scenes of the Channel 5 reality show which were aired on Monday (08.01.18), she claimed she felt "disrespected" after Shane Jenek - who is known for his drag queen alter ego Courtney Act - helped 'The Apprentice' alumni Andrew Brady transform himself into his own alter ego named Betty Swollocks.
India appeared to be uncomfortable when Andrew showed off his new look, and as the other housemates praised his appearance, she sat in silence, wearing a pair of sunglasses to hide her eyes.
When Shane went over to ask her if she was having a "traumatic response", the newsreader appeared to be crying, before taking herself off to the girls' bedroom.
Looking on at the scene, journalist Rachel Johnson said: "She always does this, it always goes wrong. Always goes wrong."
To which Jess Impiazzi said: "It's not offensive, I don't understand."
Later on in the episode, US reality star Malika Haqq ranted to the other housemates about a conversation she'd had with India, whom she claimed said she felt "disrespected" by the idea of men dressing up as women.
Malika revealed: "She just brought up, 'Just so you guys know, I feel disrespected and have a phobia of people who dress up like women'.
"And I went to ask her a question and she was like 'No, no! You just need to...' and I was like, 'why are you yelling?'
"If you're going to have a forum of conversation all of us have [been] asked questions and never once has anyone responded in that fashion. Male, female transgender, gay, bisexual, lesbian, whatever the heck you wanna be.
"She was given the option to leave the room. Why? Because everyone should not have to stop their fun for one person."
It isn't the first time India's views have been met with criticism, as viewers branded her as hypocritical for her "phobia" of drag queens, after she previously slated Amanda Barrie for misgendering her.
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