Monét X Change, well-known for her role in RuPaul’s Drag Race, faced an unexpected beauty crisis during a recent outing to support her friend Maura Higgins on the popular show Dancing with the Stars. The incident unfolded on 29 September, when Monét attended the live performance, only to discover her skin was peeling aggressively from a chemical peel she had recently undergone.
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The drag performer shared the details of her experience on her podcast, Sibling Rivalry, which she hosts alongside Bob the Drag Queen. Monét had undergone a chemical peel shortly after having hair transplant surgery, with her nurse advising her that the peeling process would commence around Tuesday or Wednesday of that week. She recalled, “The nurse was like, ‘It’ll probably start peeling by Tuesday or Wednesday, and you’ll be good by Friday.’”
Planning to attend the live show, Monét was initially unperturbed by the timeline provided. She had previously committed to supporting Higgins, a fellow contestant from the reality series The Traitors, in her Dancing with the Stars debut. However, as the day progressed, Monét noticed some unusual developments regarding her skincare.
Earlier that day, while working out at the gym, Monét recognised “a little something” happening with her complexion. Her worries grew later during the recording of her podcast episode, prompting her to send a photo of her skin’s condition to her nurse for reassurance. The nurse affirmed that everything was normal, saying, “By later, it will be that same level, you’ll be fine.”
Despite this reassurance, Monét’s situation took a turn for the worse while she was seated in the audience at the ballroom. Enjoying the performances, she suddenly became aware of the extent of the peeling. “Bitch, last night at Dancing with the Stars, I’m sitting in the audience, no mask, kiki having a good time, and I look down, and I see a little chunk of skin on [me],” she admitted.
Deciding to investigate, Monét made a trip to the bathroom, where she was confronted with a disturbing reality. “I was talking to people and my face was shedding,” she noted while laughing about how she jokingly compared her appearance to that of a lizard. The stark contrast between the vibrant atmosphere of the event and her own peeling skin provided comedic relief for Monét, who continued to engage with other guests despite feeling self-conscious.
Monét’s mishap didn’t deter her from supporting Higgins, who has been making waves on the dance floor since the start of the season. Higgins, partnered with professional dancer Mark Ballas, enjoyed considerable success in their performances, recently earning a high score of 22 out of 30 during the Yacht Rock Night episode.
Ballas and Higgins have shown great potential in the competition, having already tied for the top of the leaderboard with an impressive foxtrot in an earlier performance, receiving a score of 21 out of 30. Their consistent performances place them in a strong position as the season progresses.
Dancing with the Stars continues to attract viewers each week, airing live every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+, with episodes also available for streaming on Hulu the day after. Monét’s amusing anecdote serves as a reminder that, while glamour and beauty are often cherished in the entertainment industry, unexpected mishaps can happen to anyone, no matter how well-prepared they seem.
In the wake of her experience, X Change certainly brought a sense of humour to her unexpected beauty dilemma, opting to fully support her friend rather than allowing the situation to overshadow an evening of fun and friendship. Ultimately, her appearance at the event suggests a testament to resilience and camaraderie that defines many friendships forged in the world of show business.