Drag Race UK star Zahirah Zapanta has accused Manchester Pride of failing to pay her and many other performers, amid reports that the company may be set to enter administration.
Taking to her Instagram Story on Tuesday (14 October), Zapanta claimed that she’s yet to be paid for her performance at Manchester Pride earlier this year.
Manchester Pride 2025 took place over the August Bank Holiday weekend (22–25 August), with “Love” as the overarching theme of the celebrations. Many guest joined celebrations, including Zapanta who was part of the event’s new Mardi Gras addition.
Last year, Zapanta told PinkNews what she believed to be the biggest misconception about her drag, namely, the hard work that goes into her performances.
She shared: “I think the biggest misconception that people or queens or the audience will have of me is that I’m just a pretty face. But you know what? I can buck the house down, I can perform. I’m sickening, makeup skills down, hair on point – like I do all of my own hair and for other queens as well.”
But the drag queen, who starred in RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season six, has alleged that she still hasn’t been paid for her performance.
She wrote on her Instagram story, which directly tagged the Pride event’s handle: “It is deeply disappointing to share that Manchester Pride has failed to pay me, along with many other artists who performed at the events.
“Despite charging the general public an extricate amount for tickets, our repeated emails and requests regarding outstanding payments have been ignored.”
The post concluded: “We believe that artists deserve fair and timely compensation for their work and contributions to the Pride celebrations.”
Today (16 October), Attitude has reported that Manchester Pride may be set to enter administration as other performers also claim they’re owed thousands.
Sources told Manchester outlet The Mill the charity has spent recent months seeking new funding streams, but has been unable to secure the money needed to remain solvent. Two people familiar with the situation said the charity is now expected to begin formal administration proceedings.
Public accounts show that Manchester Pride Ltd posted a £467,000 loss in 2023. The figures left it with negative funds of £356,000. Accounts for 2024 are not yet due, but notes in the 2023 filing – seen by Attitude – reveal that trustees had expressed concern and that the board had made “appropriate enquiries” into whether Manchester Pride Ltd was still a going concern.
PinkNews has contacted Manchester Pride for comment.
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