Jeff Goldblum posed some awkward Qs on 'RuPaul’s Drag Race' and the internet had thoughts

Jeff Goldblum seems to subsist on a plane of existence different from the rest of us and while it often comes off as quirky, fun and mysterious, other times it makes for some awkward conversations. Jeff appeared as a guest judge on the most recent episode of RuPaul's Drag Race(Fridays at 9:30 pET on Crave) and though that seems like a perfect aesthetic fit, the reality wasn't quite as flawless.For the runway challenge, the seven remaining contestants were tasked with creating "Stars & Stripes" looks to reflect their American pride. When queen Gigi Goode stepped out in a red-white-and-blue revolution-era soldier uniform featuring a white leotard, Jeff couldn't help but wonder aloud at the logistics of her tucking job. "It’s not something for national television right now," was Gigi's diplomatic answer.With that exchange played for laughs, a truly tense moment came when Jackie Cox, who is an Iranian-Canadian living in NYC, came out adorned in a red-and-white kaftan and star-spangled hijab, clearly making a statement about diversity in America.She spoke after the catwalk about how Donald Trump's travel ban, that barred nationals of predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S.,  directly impacted her family, adding that though she's not religious, the outfit "represents the importance that visibility for people of religious minorities need to have in this country."

“I’m here, and I deserve to be in America just as much as anyone else.”

Thank you for your bravery, @JackieCoxNYC – we’re so happy you’re here. ❤️#DragRace pic.twitter.com/aVCFXNKHHx— RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) April 25, 2020

Goldblum, however, was puzzled over the statement being made.“Isn’t this an interesting wrinkle though,” he said. “Is there something in that religion that is anti-homosexuality and anti-woman? Does that complicate the issue? I’m just raising it and thinking out loud, maybe being stupid.”“No,” Ru interjected, defusing the awkwardness of the moment. “I think drag, you know, has always shaken the tree.”That awkward exchange left a lot of viewers scratching their heads and raising their brows. Some felt that Jeff's questions were unfairly framing Islam as anti-queer or anti-woman when other religion institutions could be labelled the same way. Others online made the point that though the questions seemed ignorant in the moment, they need to be asked in order to have a dialogue about tough topics and reach an understanding.After the show, Jackie took to her Instagram to say that she understands both sides of the argument. “I am proud that this runway is opening up conversations around that issue. Though I have sometimes lost faith in the U.S., this moment has given me hope,” she captioned a pic of her in the very outfit that sparked the convo.

 

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I'm here and I deserve to be in America just as much as anyone else. ???❤️ @rupaulsdragrace #DragRace UPDATE: I am truly overwhelmed by the amount of love I’ve been shown the last 24 hours regarding my runway interpretation of the “Stars and Stripes” Runway. I’ve also seen a lot of debate about this look and whether I should or should not have worn this, or said what I said on the runway. To clarify my intentions, this look was meant to honor my Muslim family and friends and also stand up against the Islamophobia they have faced. As for my personal relationship with Islam: I am agnostic, and my immediate family has their own, somewhat secular, interpretation of the Islamic faith. Growing up, my mother spoke to me a lot about her thoughts on Islam and her belief that it was something I shouldn’t be afraid of. It was her opinion that both the western media interpretation, and the hardline mullahs who took over Iran were the ones who were misinterpreting the faith. She instead, chose to focus her beliefs on love and charity and made a pilgrimage to Mecca in her youth. She, and her sisters, wear headscarves while in public in Iran as that is the law. In their personal lives, as seen depicted in the photographs of my aunt and mom in the US on the show, they do not wear headscarves. However; I support their freedom and choice to wear or NOT wear a headscarf, a right that I am grateful is granted here in the United States... but brings Islamophobia. I think it’s important to clarify the importance of freedom of religion versus the religious law imposed in Iran and many other countries. But freedom of religion only works when people can live without fear of losing their job, hearing racial slurs, or worse. I am proud that this runway is opening up conversations around that issue. Though I have sometimes lost faith in the US, this moment has given me hope. ❤️ ❤️ Swipe through to see the sketches from my amazing designer and friend, @travis_oestreich . And also my original inspiration for this look, which was the “We The People” series by @obeygiant ❤️? My photo is once again by the incredible @prestonburford !

A post shared by Jackie Cox (@jackiecoxnyc) on Apr 25, 2020 at 10:02am PDT

Watch RuPaul's Drag Race Fridays at 9:30 p.m. ET on Crave.