Death threats to Beyonce act
A BEYONCE tribute act who has been accused of ‘blacking-up’ for her act has received death threats ahead of a performance at Durham Pride.
Durham Police have confirmed that a 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill over the row, ahead of the LBGT event this weekend.
Leanne Harper, 31, from Sheffield faced a backlash online as people accused her of ‘blacking-up’ over her stage make-up and fake tan.
Critics blasted her look as being racist online, which led to her receiving death threats.
The singer, who has been performing as ‘Beeyonce’ for eight years said she was shocked by the backlash.
“Never in all the years have I had anything like this before. I only put on St Tropez tan like I would for a night out,” she said.
“I want to look my best, I never thought of it in that way before. It is heartbreaking to think that people think like that.”
The mum-of-one said she has been left shaken-up by the comments.
She said: “I am a mum, my husband is asking me ‘do I really need to be doing this especially with everything that has happened?’
“But I want to, I want to say no to hatred and take part in Pride, I love Pride, I love Durham Pride. I have performed there for years.”
A Durham Police spokeswoman said: “A 20-year-old Durham man was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill following comments made on social media.
“He has since been cautioned for racially aggravated public order.”
Leanne will still perform at the event which will take place on Sun- day, but without her signature dark tan.
A spokesperson for Durham Pride said they have asked Leanne to perform without fake tan at Pride.
The spokesperson said they were working with police on an investigation into hate crime relating to some of the comments made online.
They said: “The Beyonce act has already apologised.
“She has already agreed to perform without the use of fake tan and will take part in Durham Pride.
“At Durham Pride we take concerns and complaints very seriously.
“We want to reiterate that we have a zero tolerance policy to abuse and we will not accept, condone or endorse abuse of any kind.
“At Durham Pride we recognise the difficulties that BME and ethnic communities face in society and within the LGBT community.
“Durham Pride is for everybody who supports our values of diversity and inclusion.”