Tuesday Tea: Irene The Alien VS Arrietty

Oof. Where do we even begin with this one?

If you've been plugged into the Drag Race universe — especially leading up to All Stars 10 and during RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17 — then you know the saga between Irene The Alien and Arrietty The Elf has been nothing short of a drag soap opera. We all once gushed over their drag family dynamic. Arrietty herself mentioned in earlier interviews that she was the drag daughter of Irene. It felt sweet, it felt iconic, and it felt right. Until… it wasn’t.

Fast forward to 2025 and the wigs are flying — but not in a good way.

From House of Alien to Radio Silence

In a clip that quickly went viral, Mistress Isabelle Brooks sat down with Irene The Alien for an interview that had more tension than a tightly tucked corset. In that moment, Irene dropped the bomb:

“Arrietty is no longer my drag daughter. I don’t f*** with people who f*** with my money, character, and man.”

Whew. Not a single lash was spared.

Fans were gagged. The comment instantly sparked speculation about betrayal, shade, and possibly more behind-the-scenes drama than we could ever imagine. While Irene didn’t go into further detail, that one quote alone had the fandom spiraling.

Arrietty’s Clapback Heard ’Round the Timeline

Now, you’d think silence would’ve been golden here, but nope. Arrietty took to Twitter and in a since-deleted tweet, accused Irene of being a pedophile and a racist — two incredibly serious allegations that shifted the conversation from tea to full-on fire.

And then… radio silence.

Shortly after, Arrietty issued a public apology. She claimed things were “blown out of proportion” and that she reacted out of emotion. While the apology was there, the damage had already been done. Trust shattered. Fans divided. The drag mother-daughter legacy? In shambles.

My Take: Don’t Burn the House Down When You’re Heated

Look — we’ve all been there. You’re upset. Hurt. Betrayed. Emotions take the wheel and suddenly you’re typing things you may or may not mean, just to feel like you’ve regained control. But here’s the truth: words don’t disappear. They stick. Especially when those words accuse someone of serious crimes or attack their entire identity.

What happened between Irene and Arrietty isn’t just petty drama — it’s a lesson. A reminder that even in a world built on reads and roasts, there’s still a line.

Yes, friends drift apart. Yes, drag families can fall out. But there’s a difference between expressing hurt and launching nukes. And while Irene’s interview might have stung Arrietty, that response crossed into dangerous territory.

And trust me — I say this as someone who’s reacted out of hurt before too. You say things you know are cruel because you want the other person to feel what you’re feeling. But healing doesn’t come from dragging someone through the mud — even if you think they deserve it.

The Truth Always Comes Out — Eventually

In every falling out, there are three sides: your side, their side, and the truth. And the truth? It always finds its way. Whether you're right or wrong, the universe has a funny way of revealing character in the long run. So while it’s tempting to air every dirty detail, sometimes silence is the most powerful response you can give.

I’m not here to say who’s right or wrong. I wasn’t there. But I am here to say this: if you ever find yourself on the edge of blasting someone publicly, take a beat. Cool off. Structure your thoughts. You can defend yourself without destroying another person. Especially someone who once called you “family.”

So, What Do Y’all Think?

Are you Team Irene or Team Arrietty? Or like me, just sipping tea and hoping both queens find peace eventually? Drop your thoughts below — respectfully, of course.

Because the drag world is messy, but it’s still a family.