Taylor Sheesh. Image: Instagram/@heyyymacyou,
Drag performer Taylor Sheesh was assaulted by a member of an audience during the Kalutan concert in Bayambang, Pangasinan last Saturday, April 6, in what appeared to be an act of homophobia.
On X, Sheesh, whose real name is John Mac Lane Coronel, and uses the pronoun she/her, said she was still traumatized by the incident wherein a member of the audience had deliberately stuck out his hand and hit the performer in the neck as she was passing by the crowd during a performance.
Sheesh is better known as the Filipino impersonator of Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Taylor Swift.
“This is traumatic. Literally. I’m shaking [right now],” she said in response to one @cms199x who called out the assailant on X (formerly Twitter).
This is traumatic. Literally. I’m shaking rn. https://t.co/e5ewdiXRwC
— Mac (Taylor Sheesh) (@heymacyou) April 6, 2024
A photo of the incident has made the rounds of social media, but the source of the image remains unknown, as of press time.
Taylor Sheesh in Bayambang, Pangasinan. Image: Obtained from Facebook
Bayambang Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao has gotten wind of the incident and said that the perpetrator is already under police custody
On Facebook, Quiambao apologized to Sheesh for what happened, saying “homophobia and physical abuse” has no place in her home town.
“I will not tolerate homophobia and physical abuse in my town. I will make sure that justice will be dealt with. I am sorry to Taylor Sheesh that someone assaulted her during her performance. Don’t worry. Authorities have the person in question and this matter and incident will be dealt with accordingly,” she said.
“[Bayambang] is a peaceful and safe town, and I cannot condone this stupidious act! I am so made and so angry! Shame on you!” she further stated in her Facebook post.
In a follow-up video on the same day, Jose announced that charges are now being prepared against Sheesh’s assailant.
“I will make sure that justice will be served. We condemn the acts done by a certain person whose name starts with E. We will make sure that justice will prevail. Right now, this individual is in prison and cases will be filed against him, even by Taylor Sheesh,” she said.
The “Pinoy Big Brother” alum also pointed out that Bayambang is a “very inclusive and very progressive town” that supports the LGBTQIA+ community.
“We serve all races, all genders, and everyone. We strongly, strongly condemn the act of one individual last night towards Taylor Sheesh,” she said. “On behalf of the Bayambang LGU, I want to truly apologize and say sorry to Taylor Sheesh… Please rest assured that we’re doing our part and we’ll make sure justice will prevail.”
