Tyra Sanchez, the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season two, says she plans to pursue legal action against RuPaul, Michelle Visage and World of Wonder Productions, accusing the franchise’s top figures of causing long-term damage to her career and personal well-being.
In a Facebook post published Jan. 4, Sanchez, who goes by James Ross outside of drag, shared what she described as a “Statement of Claim” outlining the basis for her intended lawsuit. The post framed the move as an effort to present her account directly, before commentary or interpretation from media outlets.
The document alleges intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation, false light and interference with future economic opportunities. According to Sanchez, the conduct she attributes to the defendants spans more than a decade and contributed to what she describes as sustained harassment and professional exclusion.
Allegations Tied to Drag Race Commentary
In the section labeled “Factual Background,” Sanchez claimed that comments made by Visage during promotional appearances for Drag Race season three helped establish a narrative that undermined her legitimacy as a winner.
Sanchez alleged that Visage repeatedly stated she would have supported Raven for the season two crown had she been a judge at the time. According to the post, those remarks fueled years of backlash and limited professional opportunities. Sanchez also claimed Visage later acknowledged the impact of those comments in a private Instagram message, though no public clarification followed.
DragCon Claims and Police Report Dispute
Another portion of the statement focused on events from 2017 and 2018, including a panel moment at DragCon 2017 that Sanchez described as intentionally humiliating.
She also referenced a 2018 tweet warning followers not to attend DragCon, which she says led World of Wonder to file a police report accusing her of threatening violence at the event. Sanchez asserted the report was false and resulted in an LAPD investigation that ultimately found no wrongdoing.
The accusation, she wrote, was widely reported by major entertainment outlets and contributed to increased public scrutiny, harassment and threats. Sanchez stated no charges were filed and no laws were broken.
Reality TV Storylines and Public Perception
Sanchez further accused the franchise of reinforcing damaging portrayals through storylines on multiple All Stars seasons. She claimed those narratives revived past controversies and encouraged hostility toward her long after her initial appearance on the show.
In a final section, Sanchez pointed to a Jan. 8, 2025 Instagram post from RuPaul, shared after Sanchez made controversial remarks following the death of Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne. The post included a clip of RuPaul mock-slapping Sanchez during a past acting challenge, which Sanchez characterized as another example of public ridicule.
Sought Damages and Current Status
According to the statement, Sanchez says the alleged actions resulted in emotional trauma, safety concerns, lost income and long-term reputational harm. She stated she is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages, along with formal acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
As of Jan. 6, no official lawsuit had been filed, according to Star Observer. Representatives for RuPaul, Michelle Visage and World of Wonder have not publicly responded to Sanchez’s claims.
