A viral clip from a star of the hit series Beauty in Black, Xavier Smalls, is in the middle of a heated controversy. In the clip, which stems from a February 7 Instagram Live broadcast, the actor compares LGBTQ+ individuals to murderers and labels their lives an “abomination.”
Smalls, who plays the character Angel in the Tyler Perry-produced Netflix drama, originally shared the remarks while discussing his personal views on faith and divine judgment. Although the broadcast took place over a month ago, the footage only recently gained widespread traction after a viewer, Paul Poulos, shared a recording of the interaction.
Poulos, who can be seen questioning Smalls under the handle @monsterstargaga, confirmed the legitimacy of the clip to reporters.
“The live was on February 7th 2026 at 5:20PM,” Poulos stated. “I screen recorded it live & yes the recording is legitimate.”
During the broadcast, Smalls addressed his followers on the topic of sin, suggesting that while a higher power may love everyone, certain lifestyle choices lead to eternal consequences.
“But, he’ll send you to hell, because when you die, there’s only two places, right? And if you live in sin on this earth, he’s so holy, he’s so grand beyond our imagination, you can’t kick it with him in heaven,” Smalls said in the recording. “Not because he doesn’t love you, but because he’s so holy, he can’t dwell with unholy people.”
The conversation took a sharper turn when Poulos asked directly if Smalls believed LGBTQ+ people were destined for hell. Smalls responded by grouping the community with violent criminals and other “sinners.”
The controversy comes just as part 2 of the season released on Netflix this month. Ironically, Beauty in Black has been noted for its inclusive casting since its 2024 premiere, featuring prominent LGBTQ+ figures like Bros actress and RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Ts Madison.
As advocacy groups call for accountability, neither Tyler Perry Studios nor Netflix has issued an official statement regarding the remarks.
Smalls ended the exchange by stating, “That goes for other sinners. Scoffers, mockers, liars, all things that are an abomination. It’s not just the LGBT. If you’re drunk, if you’re an alcoholic, if you’re a murderer, these are all sins that God doesn’t tolerate.”
Beauty In Black ‘actor’, Xavier Smalls says God will not allow the gays into heaven:
“Not because he [God] doesn’t love you, but he’s so holy he can’t dwell with unholy people. And that
goes for other sinners…not just the LGBT…” pic.twitter.com/QYMW2XyRXf— Red Media (@RedMedia_us) March 19, 2026
