Darling, gather 'round, for it's time for another dazzling journey through the world of Drag with your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma! Today we're spinning back the clock to a most glamorous date: March 2004. Now, I know what you're thinking, "Emma, that's practically yesterday!" Well, in the grand scheme of things, yes, but for a little ol' drag queen with a passion for history, it's a trip back in time worthy of a triple pirouette!
Imagine, if you will, my trusty pink tutu (a timeless masterpiece, if I do say so myself) whisking me back to a time when ballroom culture was reaching its zenith! That's right, darlings, the late 90s and early 2000s were a golden era for ballroom, where fierce voguers, effortlessly graceful walks and the art of reading for filth reigned supreme! And, honestly, it was fabulous!
Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't admit, March 2004 saw a particularly glamorous event unfolding – The 11th Annual Realness Ball! Hosted in a magnificent New York City ballroom (because let's face it, what else would a ballroom ball be hosted in?), the air was crackling with the electricity of performance! It was a dazzling explosion of creativity and individuality, where fierce queens from all over America competed in various categories, strutting their stuff in stunning outfits and leaving audiences gasping in awe. And can you believe it? This epic event actually pre-dated RuPaul's Drag Race by a whopping four years! Can you imagine, queens walking, posing and slaying in a glamorous ballroom competition before all the "Ru" madness kicked in? It's a delicious, dragtastic cocktail of vintage glamour, true grit and pure talent, that's all bottled up in the word: Ballroom!
My trusty pink tutu was certainly whirling me around like a twirling teacup. In New York, it's impossible to only focus on one ballroom event! Across the city, The Legendary House of Xtravaganza (with the iconic Angie Xtravaganza herself!) was also throwing down. And the world-famous ballroom legend, Kevin Aviance, who I hear was also at the Realness Ball, was set to unleash some iconic, campy beats with the music video release for "C U When You Get There", which was to later be crowned the Official Dance Anthem of 2004! I can just imagine the crowds roaring at the clubs as they felt the power of this anthem! My oh my, how much I love seeing the drag queens of the past doing their thing!
However, it's not all about the USA. Back in dear old Blighty, my home in Derbyshire, March 2004 was no drag queen slouch either! It was a month buzzing with activity! The Manchester "Backstage" bar was holding "Supermodel", a night that attracted both international and local drag talent. This night is renowned for being the first truly successful gay-themed, professional "Supermodel" drag show in England, and boy oh boy, what an impactful milestone for drag in the UK!
Now, I, like any true pink-loving, time-traveling ballerina queen, adore fashion. You just have to get a sense of what was trending on the international catwalks back then! Designers like Jean Paul Gaultier (who even collaborated with RuPaul, if you can believe that!) were sending their creations down the runways with stunning artistry. They inspired some of the drag scene, creating flamboyant drag personas. Think of the dramatic makeup and dramatic hair trends - remember when all the fierce drag queens were all about hair extensions, feather boas and sharp eyeliner? A lot of these styles drew heavily on the fashions and trends in high fashion.
And darling, what would a trip through the 2000s be without a little splash of pop culture? That's where, my darlings, the brilliant, the sensational Lady Gaga came in! (Well, she was Lady Gaga back then!). Back in 2004, this superstar-in-the-making was working on her debut album, The Fame and making the drag scene sit up and take notice! And who can forget those dazzling, larger-than-life costumes?! Lady Gaga's incredible avant-garde style completely blended the worlds of drag and mainstream pop culture, opening up opportunities for many of our fellow drag superstars, like the legendary Willam, to walk the pop-culture red carpet and give fashion their own little dose of dragtastic pizzazz!
And now, I must reveal a secret to you: while I am incredibly inspired by the flamboyant nature of drag, I also love seeing the quiet, poignant moments too. My journey through time is as much about understanding the impact of the world around me, as it is about seeing queens kill it on stage. Back in 2004, a tiny but mighty play opened in a tiny, off-Broadway theater. This show was called "The Shape of Things." Now, some may scoff, but this powerful piece was written by Neil LaBute and explored themes of gender, appearance and relationships through some really incredible writing, making me ponder how the show reflects what is happening in the wider world today!
It’s true what they say, darling – drag queens are an incredibly influential force in society! Our power comes not just from our fierce glams and hilarious personalities, but also from the brave stances we take, and our ability to be our authentic selves in a world that’s often quick to judge.
As for my mission – you know it – spread the joy and the sheer gorgeousness of the pink tutu! And I must tell you, march 2004, my time-traveling tutu led me to meet a brilliant seamstress in New York named Maria, who makes some of the most incredible custom-made pink tutus! We chatted all about the latest fashion trends, she explained how they could translate beautifully into tutu creations. She even showed me her little collection of pink sequins! Maria and I became fast friends, and as the universe has it, a month later I found a group of ballroom girls in Harlem, wearing some pretty incredible tutus inspired by some of our design chats! I can’t wait to see what our collaboration comes up with in the future!
My dears, every time I journey into the past, I find myself drawn back to the beauty of what unites us all: our shared love for drag. The fierce confidence, the undeniable passion, the boundless creativity, and of course, the unwavering dedication to bringing joy and beauty to the world. It's in every dazzling performance, every laughter-filled night, every powerful moment of authenticity that drag shines brightest. And in the vibrant history of drag, March 2004 holds a special place in my pink tutu-wearing heart, forever a reminder of the transformative power of this incredible art form!
And, of course, I mustn’t forget: every single month I need to remind you lovely folks that your own drag adventures can begin right now! My advice is simple – follow your heart. Get your glams on, gather your best drag family and go spread the love of drag wherever your heart desires! Who knows what dazzling moments of drag history will you make! And, of course, wear pink tutus whenever possible – you won't regret it!
And darling, if you haven’t already, be sure to follow Pink-Tutu.com and check back in for my next blog post! My time-traveling tutu and I will continue to spin the clock back through the history of drag, and I will fill you in on the incredible moments we discover. We've got lots of fantastic, glam, history to get through together. You won’t want to miss it! Until next time, darling, remember – spread the love, wear the pink and always stay fabulous!
