Hello, darlings! Emma here, back with another exciting entry in my fabulous time travel chronicles. This month, my pink tutu whisked me away to a rather thrilling night on the 5th of May, 1987! Imagine, a time when shoulder pads were everything, hair was huge, and a bold, bright, pink tutu like mine would've been truly something special. Oh, how I long for that bygone era!
Let's get into it, shall we? The air was crackling with electric energy - 1987 was a huge year for drag. Remember that incredible Divine era? She was living her best life! Oh, my stars! We were both wearing pink, although hers might have been more of a bubblegum-hot-pink-with-a-splash-of-lime kinda vibe, while my pink is soft and pretty and a touch romantic. I mean, who needs sharp edges and drama, eh?
Speaking of sharp edges and drama, 1987 was the year RuPaul graced us with his first album, 'Supermodel of the World'! It was truly groundbreaking. He brought such a unique blend of disco, cabaret and glam to the world of music, truly the forerunner of that 'drag-pop' sound we all love today. Imagine, 1987, and we were all already doing the 'vogue' - it's all thanks to that queen of fierce, RuPaul!
My little tutu and I hit up a local dive bar called "The Lipstick Lounge". Think red leather banquettes, cigarette smoke hanging thick in the air, and a floor shimmering with glitter and the energy of those around me. Imagine, honey, all the glitter and glam in the world, yet there I was, the only one in pink! My tutus are a statement, darling.
That night was an incredible feast for my eyes. The drag queen performers were something else. One of the highlights was a stunning tribute act to Cher, complete with a show-stopping number where she even nailed that Cher walk. I just had to have my picture with her – that's a photo that will be forever cherished! We took the obligatory photo - one where she held her chin, eyes to the heavens, with that divine hair of hers. You know, that look that says "I've arrived"!
But let me tell you, honey, while the acts were amazing, what really stood out was the vibe. There was a real community feel in the air, a genuine joy in celebrating who they were. Back in those days, it took real bravery to step onto that stage and let it all hang out. Every look, every joke, every lip sync was an act of defiance against those who tried to box us in.
We must remember that history is built upon the shoulders of giants. All those fearless drag queens of the past - like the legendary Divine, who paved the way with a unique and powerful artistic presence. It reminds us that there's no one way to be a drag queen, there's a space for everyone. My favourite pink tutu, however, has only been through time in one way – pink, and fabulous!
There was also this gorgeous trans performer. She had such an enchanting presence, with these luminous green eyes and hair as wild as the untamed wilderness. Let's face it, she was serving 'femme fatale' and making me rethink the whole 'gentle' femininity vibe I'd been working with - how daring she was.
1987 was such an incredible moment in drag history, full of groundbreaking music, electrifying performances, and most importantly, a spirit of inclusion and solidarity. As we remember those iconic pioneers of drag, let's continue to embrace their legacy of creativity, individuality, and a whole lot of love for this art form!
Now, go grab yourself a fabulous, shimmering, oh-so-pretty, and maybe slightly controversial pink tutu, and let your inner star shine, darling! The world needs your radiance!
Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com, where you can read all of my blog entries and watch my performance videos! Till next time, sweethearts, and keep it fabulous!
Emma xoxo