Xavier Smalls has apologised for calling LGBT people an "abomination" — but the controversy surrounding the Beauty in Black star raises questions that a simple Instagram statement cannot fully answer.
TL;DR: Smalls, who plays a male stripper on Tyler Perry's hit Netflix drama, made anti-LGBT comments during a February 2026 Instagram Live. The clip resurfaced weeks later, triggering backlash. He issued a public apology acknowledging he lacked "love, humility, and awareness." Netflix and Tyler Perry have not publicly responded.
Why This Story Matters Right Now
Smalls made his comments on February 7, 2026, during an Instagram Live broadcast. He told followers that God loves everyone but "will send sinners to hell," before grouping LGBT individuals alongside murderers, alcoholics, and liars, calling them an "abomination."
The timing made the fallout worse. Netflix's Beauty in Black Season 2, Part 2 began streaming on March 19. On that very same day, Netflix's own Tudum platform published fresh promotional coverage for the new episodes and the already-announced third and final season.
This was not a dusty old tweet from a decade ago. Back in December 2025, Smalls also reportedly shared a series of Instagram Stories implying that "homosexual acts" would lead to being "tortured forever." The February livestream was not an isolated slip.
Understanding the Hypocrisy Problem
What made this story catch fire was not just what Smalls said. It was who he is on screen.
On the show, Smalls plays Angel, a male stripper. The project has welcomed several LGBTQ+ cast members since its 2024 debut, including Ts Madison — a prominent trans personality who appeared across five episodes between Seasons 1 and 2.
This is a show that sells sex, sleaze, and scandal by design. Smalls was cashing cheques from one of Netflix's most provocative soaps while publicly assigning moral rankings to other people's lives.
Fans noticed immediately. "You mean the man that plays a male prostitute on TV?" one person wrote on X. Another added: "I love when people act like they know who's going to hell, as if they're God and have all the answers."
The irony was the story. And the internet understood it perfectly.
What the Apology Actually Said
After significant backlash, Smalls posted a lengthy statement on Instagram.
He said he had "taken the time to listen" and now recognised "how my approach may have lacked the love, humility and awareness" that he believes God calls for. He emphasised that nothing he shared "was meant to condemn or harm anyone," and that "every human being deserves dignity, compassion, and most importantly love."
Smalls also acknowledged he had been made aware of things like gay teen suicide rates and the ongoing bullying faced by LGBT people across parts of the world. His closing words were: "I am truly sorry for any pain or hurt that my words caused. Please do not let anyone make you feel less than, including me. I will do better."
That final line — including me — is notable. It is a rare moment of genuine self-implication in a genre of public statements often designed to minimise accountability.
The Bigger Picture: Faith, Fame, and the Rules of Public Speech
This story is not really about one actor. It is about a pattern.
Public figures increasingly blur the line between personal belief and public harm. Expressing religious conviction is a protected right. But doing so in a public broadcast — one specifically designed to reach fans — while naming a vulnerable community as condemned, is a choice with consequences.
A celebrity controversy can result in varying degrees of fallout, depending on the severity of the offence and how the apology is received. Some stars face temporary "cancellation," only to make a comeback later, while others are permanently exiled.
Smalls' apology is more substantive than most. He did not merely say "sorry if you were offended." He demonstrated learning — citing specific knowledge about LGBT youth harm that he says he was previously unaware of. That matters.
Still, neither Netflix nor Tyler Perry has publicly responded. As of the time of writing, neither Netflix nor Tyler Perry had commented on Smalls' original remarks or his subsequent apology.
That silence is its own kind of statement.
What Beauty in Black's Success Makes Harder to Ignore
Beauty in Black has been one of Netflix's stronger performers. Season 1 spent seven weeks in the Top 10 and hit No. 1 in 28 countries in its second week.
When a show performs at that level, its cast members carry cultural weight. Their off-screen words do not exist in a vacuum. Audiences are not naive — they understand that a star's public comments reflect on the brand ecosystem around them, whether studios like it or not.
This is not about cancelling someone for their beliefs. It is about recognising that celebrity is a form of public trust — and that trust has terms.
5 Key Facts About This Story
| Fact | Detail |
| Date of livestream | February 7, 2026 |
| Platform | Instagram Live |
| Smalls' role on show | Angel — a male stripper |
| Show's performance | No. 1 in 28 countries, 7 weeks in Netflix Top 10 |
| Netflix/Perry response | None issued publicly |
FAQ
Q: What exactly did Xavier Smalls say about LGBT people?
A: During a February 2026 Instagram Live, Smalls stated that LGBT people were among those God "doesn't tolerate," grouping them with murderers, alcoholics, and liars. He used the word "abomination" in response to a direct question about whether LGBT people would go to hell. His comments were captured in a screen recording and went viral weeks later.
Q: Did Xavier Smalls actually apologise, or was it damage control?
A: His apology went further than most. He cited specific conversations with LGBT friends, acknowledged learning about gay teen suicide rates, and used self-implicating language — "please do not let anyone make you feel less than, including me." Whether that reflects genuine growth or strategic PR is something each person must assess. The words themselves are more accountable than average.
Q: Why didn't Netflix say anything?
A: Netflix has not publicly commented on Smalls' remarks or his apology. Studios often stay silent in these situations to avoid amplifying controversy. However, silence from a platform that actively promoted the show during the same news cycle carries its own message to audiences — particularly LGBTQ+ viewers.
Q: Is it wrong for a celebrity to express religious beliefs publicly?
A: Expressing faith is not inherently harmful. The issue arises when public platforms are used to assign specific groups to damnation or label identities as morally inferior. There is a meaningful difference between "I believe in these values" and "people like you are an abomination." The first is personal conviction. The second is directional harm delivered to a public audience.
