Xavier Smalls Backlash: LGBTQ 'Abomination' Comments

Xavier Smalls Controversy: 'Beauty in Black' Actor Faces Backlash Over Anti-LGBTQ Comments

Just one day after Beauty in Black Season 2, Part 2 landed on Netflix, one of the show's rising stars found himself at the center of a major controversy. Xavier Smalls, who plays the charismatic hustler Angel on Tyler Perry's hit soap opera, is facing intense public backlash following the resurfacing of an Instagram Live from February 7, 2026, in which he called LGBTQ people "an abomination" and claimed they would not enter heaven. The timing — colliding directly with the show's promotional cycle — has amplified the fallout significantly.

By March 20, 2026, the clip had gone viral across social media platforms, drawing condemnation from fans, LGBTQ+ advocates, and entertainment commentators alike. Multiple outlets picked up the story simultaneously, turning what might have been a quietly ignored comment into a full-blown public reckoning.

What Xavier Smalls Said — and When He Said It

On February 7, 2026, at approximately 5:20 PM, Smalls went live on Instagram and made a series of remarks rooted in his religious beliefs. During the broadcast, he stated that LGBTQ people "live in sin" and would not go to heaven, describing them as "an abomination." He grouped LGBTQ individuals alongside what he called other sinners — including "scoffers, mockers, liars, alcoholics, and murderers" — as people God "doesn't tolerate."

The comments were screen-recorded by Instagram user Paul Poulos and remained relatively obscure for weeks. That changed on March 19, 2026, when Beauty in Black Season 2, Part 2 began streaming on Netflix. Within 24 hours, the clip had resurfaced and spread rapidly, with widespread coverage emerging by March 20.

Smalls has not issued a public apology or response as of the time of this writing.

The Hypocrisy Angle: Playing Angel While Condemning Others

Much of the public outrage stems not just from the comments themselves, but from the role Smalls plays on screen. His character Angel is a male stripper and hustler — a morally complex figure in a show that explores themes of sexuality, desire, exploitation, and survival. Critics and fans have been quick to point out the irony of an actor condemning LGBTQ people for alleged sin while professionally portraying a character whose livelihood is built on sexual performance.

As one report framed it, "the role he plays makes it worse" — a sentiment that resonated widely online, with many users highlighting the contradiction between Smalls' on-screen persona and his off-screen religious moralizing. The debate has reignited broader conversations about the line between an actor's personal beliefs and the characters they are paid to portray.

Beauty in Black's LGBTQ+ Cast and Community Ties

The controversy is particularly sensitive given Beauty in Black's relationship with its LGBTQ+ audience and cast. The show features prominent LGBTQ+ talent, including Ts Madison, a transgender actress, media personality, and activist who has been vocal about representation in entertainment. The show has cultivated a loyal following within Black LGBTQ+ communities, making Smalls' comments feel especially pointed to many viewers.

Tyler Perry, the creator and executive producer of Beauty in Black, has not publicly commented on the situation. Netflix's Tudum publication pushed fresh promotional coverage for the show on the very same day the controversy broke — an awkward coincidence that added fuel to the growing backlash. The show was also recently renewed for its third and final season, meaning the franchise still has significant momentum to protect.

Reports confirm that the comments have sparked debate both inside and outside of the show's fanbase, with some viewers calling for Smalls to be written out of the series and others defending his right to express religious views privately.

Who Is Xavier Smalls? A Look at His Background

Before this week, Xavier Smalls was best known as a promising up-and-coming talent in Tyler Perry's orbit. He graduated from Sacramento State University in 2020 and subsequently trained at the prestigious William Esper Studio in New York City — a conservatory known for producing serious dramatic actors trained in the Meisner technique.

His breakout came with his recurring role on Beauty in Black, where his portrayal of Angel earned him a growing fanbase. He also appeared in Tyler Perry's 2025 film Madea's Destination Wedding, further cementing his place within Perry's extended creative universe.

Prior to the controversy, Smalls was on a clear upward trajectory. His comments have now placed that trajectory in serious question, with industry observers watching closely to see how Netflix, Tyler Perry Studios, and the show's producers respond — if at all.

Public Reaction and the Broader Cultural Debate

Social media reaction to the resurfaced clip has been swift and largely critical. Many fans expressed feelings of betrayal, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community who had supported Smalls' career. Others raised questions about whether entertainment companies have a responsibility to take action when cast members make statements that conflict with stated company values around inclusion and diversity.

There has also been a subset of voices defending Smalls, arguing that his religious beliefs are his own and that expressing faith-based views — even controversial ones — should not be grounds for professional consequences. This tension between personal religious expression and public accountability is one that the entertainment industry has wrestled with repeatedly in recent years.

What makes this situation distinct is the specific timing: the clip didn't resurface during a slow news cycle, but at the precise moment Beauty in Black was being aggressively promoted for a major new season drop. That collision has made the story impossible to ignore for Netflix, Tyler Perry, and anyone associated with the production.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Xavier Smalls say about LGBTQ people?

During an Instagram Live on February 7, 2026, Xavier Smalls stated that LGBTQ people "live in sin," are "an abomination," and would not go to heaven. He grouped LGBTQ individuals alongside liars, alcoholics, murderers, and others he described as sinners that God "doesn't tolerate."

What character does Xavier Smalls play on Beauty in Black?

Xavier Smalls plays Angel, a male stripper and hustler, on Tyler Perry's Netflix drama Beauty in Black. The character is a central figure in the show's storylines involving sex, power, and survival.

When did the controversy become public?

Although the Instagram Live occurred on February 7, 2026, the clip was screen-recorded and resurfaced publicly around March 20, 2026 — one day after Beauty in Black Season 2, Part 2 began streaming on Netflix on March 19, 2026.

Has Xavier Smalls apologized?

As of the publication of this article, Xavier Smalls has not issued a public apology or addressed the controversy directly on social media or through a representative.

Will Xavier Smalls be removed from Beauty in Black?

No official statement has been made by Netflix or Tyler Perry Studios regarding Smalls' future on the show. Beauty in Black has been renewed for a third and final season, but casting decisions related to the controversy have not been announced.

Conclusion

The Xavier Smalls controversy is a collision of timing, irony, and cultural sensitivity that has proven impossible to contain. An Instagram Live from February sat dormant for over a month — then exploded the moment Netflix began streaming new episodes of the very show that made Smalls a recognizable name. The fact that he plays a male stripper on a show beloved by LGBTQ+ audiences, while privately condemning LGBTQ people as sinners, has given this story a sharp edge that resonates far beyond typical celebrity drama.

Whether this moment becomes a career-defining setback or a footnote depends largely on how Smalls, Tyler Perry, and Netflix choose to respond. For now, the entertainment world is watching — and the LGBTQ+ community that helped build Beauty in Black's audience deserves more than silence.