MANILA, Philippines — "Drag Race Philippines" Season 3 winner Maxie Andreison said he has grown from the mistakes of his past after a resurfaced video of him assaulting an individual reignited online backlash and led to calls for his removal from “Die Beautiful: The Musical.”
Addressing the issue during an Instagram Live, Andreison — whose real name is Jayvhot Andreison Galang — said the incident happened three years ago and that he and those involved had long since reconciled.
"We already talked about it and I apologized to them, and they also apologized to me. We forgave each other and we've all moved on. Looking back now, I wish I had handled the situation more wisely and calmly. Hurting someone was wrong. Even if I believed I was defending myself at that time, there was no excuse for hurting another person," he said in Filipino.
The drag performer said the experience became a turning point in his life, adding that he has worked hard to change himself and no longer wants to be defined by that moment.
"I'm thankful that I now have people guiding me. Since that incident, I've been trying to become a better person. I've learned so much, and I'm still learning every day. I don't ever want to become that version of myself again. I wish this would be the last time I have to apologize because I genuinely don't want to repeat what happened," he said.
Andreison also said he wished the events leading up to the confrontation had been shown alongside the viral clip, although he stressed that it did not excuse his actions.
"I know that video spread because what I did was wrong. I just wish people had also seen what happened to me before that. But I'm not here to defend myself because I know I made a mistake. I'm truly sorry, I don't want to repeat it, and I'm disappointed that I let so many people down," he said.
The apology came after online users revived discussions surrounding the incident following the announcement of Andreison's casting in “Die Beautiful: The Musical.” He will be alternating the lead role of Trisha Echavarria alongside fellow drag artist Viñas Deluxe.
On X, several netizens tagged production company The IdeaFirst Co. and director Jun Robles Lana, urging them to reconsider the casting.
User @Macy_naych wrote that the resurfaced incident "raises serious concerns" about having Andreison portray a transgender character, adding that "representation must come with accountability." Others echoed the sentiment, with some suggesting the role be given to another performer.
According to a widely shared TikTok post by user spilltea101010, whose account has not been independently verified, the altercation allegedly began after an intoxicated fan accidentally pulled Andreison's glued-down wig while asking for a photo after one of her performances.
The post claimed Andreison later returned to confront the person believed responsible, but another transgender woman who had stepped forward only to apologize on the fan's behalf was mistakenly identified and allegedly assaulted before the error was discovered. It also claimed the actual fan later apologized and admitted to accidentally pulling Andreison's wig while intoxicated.
As of Monday, neither The IdeaFirst Co. nor director Jun Robles Lana had publicly responded to the calls to remove Andreison from the production. Andreison has likewise issued no statement beyond her Instagram Live apology.