Manchester Pride has said it is “determining the best way forward” with legal and financial advisers after allegations that its performers have not been paid.
One of Europe’s biggest LGBTQ+ Pride events issued a statement after performers who took part in this year’s three-day festival claimed they are owed thousands in unpaid fees.
In the statement posted on Instagram on Thursday, its board of trustees said: “Manchester Pride is currently in the process of determining the best way forward with our legal and financial advisers.
“The aim is to provide additional communications by Wednesday 22 October. We will provide further information to our communities and stakeholders as well.”
It added that it wanted to ensure that “our staff, intent, artists, contractors and suppliers, who are all a part of our community, are heard and considered”.
Zahirah Zapanta, who appeared in season six of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, has claimed they haven’t been paid for their appearance, saying in an Instagram story: “It is deeply disappointing to share that Manchester Pride has failed to pay me, along with many other artists who performed at the events.
Zapanta added that “repeated emails and requests regarding outstanding payments have been ignored”.
The event, which took place at the end of August, came under fire in 2021 for ending its funding of two community charities while giving its chief executive a £20,000 pay rise.
The BBC reported that Saki Yew, who was on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2024, is also among those who say they haven’t been paid.
Yew told the BBC: “As performers, we’re used to waiting for money but there’s no communication and no answer. A lot of performers are starting to give up hope of being paid.”
Manchester city council has been approached for comment.
