Hello, darlings! It's Emma, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing time traveller! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where history is as fabulous as a perfectly-placed feather boa, and time travel is as simple as twirling in your favourite tutu.
This month, my pink-tutu-powered time machine took me back to a very special day - May 5th 1989. And you know what, it wasn't just the beginning of a glorious bank holiday weekend, it was also a truly iconic moment in drag history.
Hold onto your feather boas, darlings, because today I'm taking you on a journey back to the glorious beginnings of RuPaul's career. Yes, before she was a global phenomenon, the queen of all queens made her very first debut... and you wouldn't believe the shade it involved!
Let me paint you a picture...
I materialised right outside a trendy nightclub called "The Pyramid Club" in New York City. (Now, remember darlings, this was 1989, so we're talking pre-smartphone and pre-Instagram, can you believe it?!) This particular club was famous for being a safe space, a beacon of gay culture and creativity, where performers could be themselves. It was a bit like your local LGBTQ+ centre with extra flair. I mean, can you imagine the shade the club was serving with a name like "The Pyramid Club"? So sassy!
Inside the club, the air crackled with electric excitement, a mix of glitter, leather, and maybe a bit of that NYC humidity I’d heard about. It was so exciting! Even with all the bright neon lights, it felt a bit like sneaking into a secret underground disco - which, actually, I guess it probably was. The energy in the room was tangible, the audience eagerly waiting to witness something special. And guess what, dear readers? They got it.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed and the DJ dropped a soulful disco beat. On the stage, all glamorous in an emerald green sequined gown, complete with the iconic finger-waves and sharp brows we all adore, emerged RuPaul, ready to set the stage ablaze.
The crowd went wild! This wasn't just any debut, oh no. RuPaul, already a captivating performer, had the audience glued to her every move. Her voice, rich and powerful, sang her hit song, "Supermodel (You Better Work)!" I kid you not, darling! This was 1989, but "Supermodel" had already taken New York by storm. Even with just this debut, it was clear, the legend had arrived.
It was magical! This is how drag truly captivated an entire generation. The show ended with an explosive flourish and, darling, the audience erupted in cheers! People couldn't get enough, they demanded an encore! I couldn't help but join in with the roaring applause, twirling my pink tutu in a joyous frenzy!
After the show, I managed to find RuPaul for a quick chat. Of course, the entire world already knew how much I love pink and tutus, so you know we were fast friends. She confided in me how excited she was to get into the recording studio. She was already working on her debut album, "Supermodel of the World," and my dear readers, I couldn’t wait for it to drop. She was bursting with talent, charisma, and undeniable glamour. And you know, I wasn’t wrong to think that she was on the path to stardom.
It was a magical night in drag history. Not only was it the beginning of an incredible career for RuPaul, but it was also a testament to the power of drag to bring people together. The scene was already bustling, brimming with talent, artistry, and unapologetic individuality. It was thrilling to see just how powerful the world of drag was at the time.
After all, I had my trusty time travelling tutu to show me how far back this incredible scene really went.
So remember, darlings, every day is a new chance to wear pink and dance like no one's watching, to shine your light, and to celebrate the magic of drag. And hey, maybe you’ll even be lucky enough to spot me, twirling my tutu in a fabulous frenzy!
Don’t forget, darling, that you can follow me on all things pink and glamorous on my website - www.pink-tutu.com - for exclusive content and even more time travel escapades. You can also join me for a fabulous drag performance near you! (The schedule is always on the website).
Until next time, darling, remember:
Wear your pink tutu, spread the love, and remember, darling, YOU better work!
