'RuPaul's Drag Race UK' Star Pixie Polite Abused In 'Homophobic Attack'

"RuPaul's Drag Race UK" alum Pixie Polite says she was mocked, verbally abused, and punched in a London supermarket during what police are treating as a homophobic attack.

This isn't the first time Pixie Polite has faced violence in public. In August 2023, she made headlines after a man threatened to stab her with a whisky bottle in South London.

The drag performer, who competed on season four of the hit series in 2022, revealed the ordeal on her Instagram Stories, telling fans she was attacked in a Tesco in Colliers Wood on July 28.

"Just got assaulted in Tesco at Colliers Wood. Punched in the back of the neck/head. Sick of this sh-t," she wrote, adding that the encounter began with mocking comments before escalating into verbal abuse and then physical violence.

Pixie said police "were surprisingly great" in responding to the attack, and confirmed that CCTV footage, witness statements, and even a photo she took of the alleged assailant will help move the case forward. "When they catch the guy it will be prosecuted," she explained.

After the attack, the performer was treated at an Accident and Emergency center for a "general head injury." She later assured fans she had not suffered a concussion, though she was left feeling "a little groggy" the following day.

"Majorly appreciate everyone's concern and blown away by the amount of messages I have received," she wrote in a follow-up post on July 29. "Overall, I'm pretty much fine, but I am feeling the same sense of righteous indignation I felt last night. So please enjoy this picture of me looking like a bad a--, while I daydream about justice today."

The Metropolitan Police Service has confirmed the incident is being investigated as a hate crime.

"Police spoke with one victim, a man in his 30s. An investigation has been launched, and the incident is being treated as a hate crime. Enquiries are ongoing. At this stage, no arrests have been made," the statement read.

Authorities urged anyone with information to come forward.

The latest assault comes amid a wider conversation about LGBTQ+ safety in the UK. Despite a reported 18.7% drop in homophobic hate crimes in London over the past year, incidents on the city's transport network have increased by 34%.

Nationwide, sexual orientation-related hate crimes have declined slightly, but many LGBTQ+ stars say harassment and attacks remain a serious concern.

In 2023, "Drag Race UK" winner The Vivienne was assaulted at a McDonald's in Liverpool.

"As a proud gay man, I have never hidden who I am or edited myself in case of what others may think. However, it shames me to say that, at 31 years of age, for the first time in my life, I am now a lot more conscious of the fact I could be attacked at any moment for simply living my authentic life," The Vivienne said at the time. "I am now constantly second-guessing social situations and feel on edge when I'm travelling alone, passing large groups of men, or even crossing the street to avoid any sort of engagement with people."

He added, "This whole situation has made me become hyper-aware of the reality of the discrimination I'm still facing. It's caused me stress, anguish, and ongoing trauma. Luckily, I'm a 6 ft ex-rugby player, who may wear a dress for a living, and can take a punch. I'm just glad it was me."

The assailant in The Vivienne's case, Alan Whitfield, admitted assault by beating after police confirmed he ran from the scene following the June 16 attack.

Prosecutors allege it was a homophobic assault, while Whitfield's defense disputes that claim.

Unfortunately, The Vivienne, born James Lee Williams, died earlier this year "from the effects of ketamine use, causing a cardiac arrest."

Pixie's incident adds to the growing list of attacks, leaving fans and fellow performers once again calling for stronger protections for the LGBTQ+ community.