Helloooo darlings! It's your fabulous, fuchsia-loving, time-travelling bestie, Emma, back with another post from the archives of pink-tutu.com! 💅🏼✨ This month, we're waltzing back in time to the glorious, glittery, glam-tastic years of 2002-2003! I'm talkin' pre-social-media, pre-streaming-service days when a drag show was a true, unique event, and you really had to know where to go to find the action!
So grab a cuppa, darling, and let's step back into those legendary years - with my signature pink tutu of course! 🩰💖
A Drag Queen's Guide to 2002-2003!You might not have been born yet when this decade began, dearie, but trust me, these were truly phenomenal times for drag. It was a time of growth, diversity and experimentation. And you know, with my pink-tutu-wearing magic, I even spotted a trend starting up: the birth of drag becoming fashionable!
In 2002, while the whole world was rocking out to Nelly’s "Hot in Herre" (that track STILL makes me shimmy!), RuPaul had launched the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race! Talk about history in the making! And even though it was in its infancy then, it really showed the power of TV to take drag to the masses.
Now, I won't lie, some of the shows back then were different from what you see today, with themes that we might bat our lashes at in these more sensitive times, but there was so much talent on display.
My first time travel stop brought me to New York City, where drag shows like "The Monster Show" at The Monster on St Marks Place were absolutely buzzing. It was all about alternative drag - the more bizarre and creative the better. Imagine a fabulous melting pot of personalities - some of the names that stand out are the legendary Lady Bunny, Hedda Lettuce, Sherry Vine (a personal fav!), and even RuPaul himself! They were creating an outrageous world with their artistry! I just loved how these Queens really were trailblazers!
Heading across the pond, my pink tutu swished and swirled me to London’s West End. You could feel the scene bubbling! There was "La Clique" at The Soho Theatre (not exclusively drag but definitely with a drag flair), a show that made its audience gasp in delight at the sheer daring and talent!
But wait, there’s more!
This wasn't all! London also boasted some fabulous venues, like "The Rivoli Ballroom" in Brockley, where drag was a staple - just a brilliant blend of music and dance. It wasn't just drag that made these spaces sparkle, they were really a hotbed of underground culture.
Fashion’s Fabulous Drag FusionThis was also the time that drag fashion was taking on new shapes. Even though a lot was still rooted in the 80s and 90s (hello feather boas!), it was a time of blending different styles! We saw avant garde meets vintage, with streetwear creeping its way in. I gotta tell you, my dear readers, those funky boots of that time were just to die for!
Don't forget, the beauty trends back then were totally unique. Think ultra-dramatic eye makeup with colourful glitter and dramatic eyeshadow. And I’m talking bold lipstick colours - I’m just a sucker for anything with that pink lip colour! I know there’s an awful lot of discussion around what’s acceptable when it comes to beauty, but one thing's for sure: you really had to commit in these times, to pull it off!
Drag Performances That Were Pure Magic!My time travelling tutu also took me to the UK's stunning East Midlands, home of the one and only "Glitterbomb", in Derby! (Hey, it's only a short hop from my Derbyshire roots!)
I’ve got to tell you, this was truly the spot in the early 2000s. It had that fabulous cabaret vibe, with acts from across the country performing every week. Think amazing live singers, burlesque dancers, and some really captivating, unique drag artists.
Of course, my favourite part? Watching those epic lip-syncs that sent everyone wild! Remember when queens really worked the audience? That passion for connecting with their crowd made the whole experience truly electrifying. It felt like you were all a part of something special!
You know, when I'm travelling through the timeline, one thing I find so interesting is seeing the development of those queens we know today! Like Cherry Valentine, now such a huge star of Drag Race UK, back then she was just starting her career on the stage in Derby! She was always so magnetic with that charm and poise! And I knew she’d be going places… she already had that spark!
The East Midlands has a drag history just as vibrant as any other place I’ve travelled to, which was brilliant!
A Drag Scene For All TastesDrag in the early 2000s really did have everything. There were still the big “disco” queens (all those glitter cannons!) and then “camp” queens who embraced outrageous costumes and big personalities.
And let’s not forget about the more subversive, alternative acts - there was this real punk edge! This was also when drag really began to be more gender-fluid - you saw the likes of queens with both male and female attributes. It was this evolution that started pushing those boundaries that have made drag what it is today!
Back To The Present!My dearies, time has been swirling by, and I gotta scoot back to my own timeline, leaving behind those sparkling, glamorous memories.
Remember this - the history of drag is about creativity, evolution, and most of all, celebrating who you are!
And as you've been reading all about those drag shows of the past, I encourage you to head out to a live performance near you. Whether you’re in London, New York or your local community, support drag artists - they deserve the spotlight and that extra glitter!
And of course, be sure to check back for next month’s blog, when I'll be spinning my time-travelling tutu through yet another drag-filled era. Don’t forget to keep those comments flowing and those questions coming – and make sure to let me know what YOU want me to blog about in the future!
Until then, my darlings, stay fierce! 💅🏼✨
Emma, Your Pink Tutu Loving Time Traveller xx
* www.pink-tutu.com *
