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“Was Totally Joking…but Seconds Later”: 5x NBA Champion Dennis Rodman’s Actions Baffle Drag Performers Into Calling Out Queer Community’s “Shameful” Act

Published 03/18/2023, 6:04 AM EDT

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Chicago Bulls legend Dennis Rodman has been unapologetically true to himself since his NBA days. The superstar always stood out from the crowd because of his ever-changing hair color, tattoos, and body piercings. Moreover, he has been an ardent fan of the drag shows performed by drag artists. Notably, he addressed gender fluidity in clothes as early as the 90s. However, the Worm’s recent visit to a local drag show created an unexpected situation among the performers.

The Bulls icon has always been in the limelight because of his flamboyant nature. The 5x NBA Champion has attracted millions of fans with his personality but also fell prey to a lot of troubles because of it. Notably, the star’s iconic trip to Sin City amid the busy NBA season earned him a few detractors. Eventually, Michael Jordan had to drag him out of his hotel room. However, this time around, Rodman impressed the crowd at the drag show with his kind gesture.

Drag King called out his community for disrespecting the Worm

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A Paper article reported Dennis Rodman’s recent appearance at a local drag show and a story surrounding a $100 tip. A few days back, the Bulls legend learned about a drag show while dining at a restaurant. He made it a point to witness the performance and interact with the performers.

However, one of the performers, Christopher Belmont, expressed his disappointment with his own community for not knowing Rodman via a tweet. He considered it a “shameful” act. The tweet read, “the amt of people who DIDNT know who dennis rodman was ln…. shameful. educate urself before u move to Chicago.”

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While Rodman attracts attention wherever he goes, this time it proved to be different. Rodman’s impact on the queer community has been immense and Belmont’s tweet only solidified that point. However, the two-time NBA All-Star wasn’t too concerned with it and focused on enjoying the night.

Dennis Rodman pulled out a $100 bill

It’s a tradition for the audience to tip the performers during the show. Ari Gato, one of the hosts, pretended it was her birthday to get more tips. Additionally, she joked that the basketball legend promised to pay her a $100 tip. Even though she got called out for her bluff, Rodman still gave her the tip. This took Gato by surprise.

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Gato addressed the issue and said, “I was totally joking and we laughed it off, but seconds later he was at the front of the stage handing me a $100 bill.” 

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After tipping Gato, Rodman picked up the mic to address the crowd. He expressed his love for the community and encouraged everyone to stick together, said Gato. It’s a rare occurrence when a popular celebrity encourages and supports a minority community, given the social stigma surrounding them. Moreover, the Worm spent a bit more of his time with the performers after the show. 

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Watch This Story – Dennis Rodman’s Omnipresent Nudity Inspired Cast of ‘The Surreal Life’ to Do Something Bizarre

What do you make of Dennis Rodman’s gesture toward the drag queen? Let us know in the comments below. 

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Written by:

Shahul Hameed

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Shahul Hameed is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. He holds a Master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and has previously worked as a contributor at an online news site. Shahul has always shared a keen interest in journalism, starting off as a reporter for his college news journal.
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Edited by:

Pragya Vashisth