RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Pixie Polite hospitalised following violent homophobic attack
– 2 min read
Brighton-born RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Pixie Polite has been hospitalised following a violent homophobic attack in a Tesco supermarket in south-west London.
The drag performer, known out of drag as Mark Wickens, was assaulted on the evening of Monday, 28 July, in the Colliers Wood area. According to statements shared on Instagram, the incident began with mocking and verbal abuse before escalating into physical violence. Pixie reported being punched in the back of the neck and head, prompting a visit to A&E where she was treated for a general head injury. Fortunately, doctors confirmed there was no concussion, though she was advised to monitor symptoms in the coming days.
Pixie, 32, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from fans and praised the Metropolitan Police for their swift and supportive response. “Main point is I’m ok, police were surprisingly great,” she wrote. “When they catch the guy it will be prosecuted as there’s CCTV, witnesses, and I also got a picture of the guy".
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that the incident is being treated as a hate crime. A spokesperson stated: “At 18:10hrs on Monday, 28 July officers responded to reports of assault and verbal abuse inside a shop on High Street Colliers Wood, Merton. An investigation has been launched and enquiries are ongoing. At this stage, no arrests have been made”.
Pixie Polite rose to prominence on the fourth season of Drag Race UK in 2022, where she finished in fifth place. This is not the first time she has faced threats; in 2023, she reported being threatened with a whisky bottle in another incident in south London.
In a follow-up post, Pixie shared a photo of herself outside A&E, stating she was “feeling a little groggy” but “pretty much fine,” adding, “I am feeling the same sense of righteous indignation I felt last night. So please enjoy this picture of me looking like a bad ass, while I daydream about justice today".
The LGBTQ+ community and fans have rallied around Pixie, with messages of love and solidarity flooding social media. The police have urged anyone with information to come forward by calling 101 and referencing CAD 5855/28JUL.
