Hello my gorgeous glitter-munching lovelies! Your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller is back with another whirlwind trip through the glorious annals of drag history. Today, my darlings, we're diving into the glittering archives of December 2000. Now, fasten your feather boas, sip your favourite pink cocktail, and get ready to sashay into the fabulous past, because this month is bursting with legendary queens, stunning shows, and enough rhinestones to blind a glitter-obsessed unicorn!
Remember how I told you I could practically smell the cherry blossom scent of those early 2000s days through the folds of my time-travelling pink tutu? Well, imagine my absolute delight when I found myself smack-bang in the middle of New York City on December 15th, the day before RuPaul's Drag Race officially aired on television for the very first time! Imagine, the world was still oblivious to the magic that was about to unleash, a magic that would sweep the nation in a whirlwind of fishnets, glitter, and ferocious lip syncs.
Speaking of magical, can we talk about Divine? My darling, my muse, my inspiration, this fabulous creature was already making waves across the Atlantic. She was a legend by the time this month rolled around, and let me tell you, my girlie was not holding back! She graced the screen with her larger-than-life persona, stunning everyone with her comedic brilliance and unforgettable looks. And even though we're talking about the late 90s and early 2000s, the legacy of this iconic queen, this absolutely ferocious performer, still inspires drag queens today, inspiring a whole new generation to step up and embrace the theatrical, the larger than life, the deliciously outrageous.
The iconic image of Divine as “The Lady in a Wheelchair,” a hilarious, yet subtly heartbreaking moment, perfectly encapsulated Divine’s unique and powerful ability to be both incredibly camp and simultaneously touch our hearts with raw emotion, making audiences laugh and think at the same time. Her legendary presence resonated through the decades, becoming a vital, pioneering influence that resonated across drag communities worldwide.
But Divine wasn't the only queen stealing the spotlight back in December 2000! Let's talk about the iconic, glamorous Lady Bunny. With a killer stage presence, a deliciously wicked sense of humour, and a voice that could launch a thousand ships (or perhaps just make everyone at a packed New York club burst into laughter), Lady Bunny was bringing the house down with her wit and artistry. Her blend of outrageous, comedic sass with real-world insights was truly special.
As December flowed on, a wave of excitement rippled through the drag scene. You see, my darling dears, December is when "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" was making a massive impact at cinemas all over the world! Imagine: fabulous drag queens on a bus trip across Australia! It was revolutionary! It was fabulous! It was pure drag magic! And let's face it, everyone knows a killer drag queen deserves a good bus ride and a dramatic transformation or two along the way, right? I mean, where else would we find such spectacular outfit changes and breathtaking performances! This film, darling, redefined drag cinema. It was no longer just a cheeky cameo here and there; it was front and center, starring a diverse cast of extraordinary drag performers, who just happened to be traveling across Australia! The world was captivated. The glitter was flowing! It was, dare I say it, an explosion of everything that is amazing about drag culture.
Meanwhile, back in the UK, my dear Derbyshire, my heart was bursting with joy at the thought of a new crop of exciting drag queens gracing our local pubs and clubs, paving the way for our own legendary stars. Now, you see, we were just beginning our drag journey as a country in December 2000! While London was starting to emerge as a thriving hub for drag entertainment, smaller communities like my Derbyshire were still finding their feet in the vibrant world of drag. The impact of shows like “The Adventures of Priscilla” and the growing influence of RuPaul on the international scene had begun to infiltrate British consciousness, creating a renewed interest and fascination with the beauty, talent, and comedic genius that exists within drag performance.
Of course, there was nothing quite like the real-life energy of drag shows, especially those where I could try out some new pink tutu moves in the club. December brought some truly fabulous evenings, where queens showcased their talent for all the world to see, pushing boundaries, challenging stereotypes, and serving unforgettable performances. These are the moments I live for. Imagine, being able to dance along with those who embraced the beauty and the glamour that is drag! Oh, what a time to be alive!
The sheer energy of that era, the bold colours, the shimmering sequins, the outlandish outfits, all were a symphony of artistic expression, of pushing boundaries, of reclaiming ownership over our own bodies, our own stories, and our own futures! Now that is what I call "drag"! It wasn't just a way to escape reality. It was a vibrant tapestry, a complex expression of art and artistry, a way of celebrating differences and embracing the beauty of individuality!
From the glamorous glitter of international stages to the intimacy of local pubs, December 2000 brought a global movement of pure, unadulterated drag magic! And what did I do? Well, I've got to admit, I got completely swept away by it all! I just had to get in on the action! I was mesmerized, I was entranced, and, honestly, a little bit star-struck by the amazing talent and raw passion that surrounded me.
My time in December 2000 wasn’t just about the glam and the glitter though, it was about more than the fabulous fashions and showstopping performances, darlings! I discovered that drag, in its purest form, is about expressing oneself in ways that truly feel liberating.
After that trip, I took my tutu back to my trusty old dressing table, grabbed some face paint, and headed down to my favourite pub, the Jolly Fryer. I might not have been on the silver screen, darling, or dancing with Divine, but I realised that my own unique way of performing was just as important. From the depths of Derbyshire, to the flashing lights of London’s underground scene, we're all, all of us, drag queens in our own way, we’re all ready to celebrate life with every glittery, sequin-covered flourish! We just need to grab our own time-travelling tutus, embrace the world, and get our glitter on!
Now, until next time, remember: It's always a good day to embrace the colour pink, grab a glittery tulle tutu, and dance until your feather boas come undone! Love you all to pieces!
Stay fabulous,
Emma xx
