Hiya lovelies! Emma here, your resident pink tutu-clad time traveller from Derbyshire! It’s been a while since I last blogged, and this month I’m going to spill the tea on what was happening in the world of drag in April of 2006. Now, get ready for some seriously sparkly flashbacks!
(Please remember, darling, you can catch all the gossip from www.pink-tutu.com every month! We love hearing your stories too! So don’t be shy, send us a message on our glitter-tastic contact page!)
For my trip this month, I was feeling very dramatic. Now, I don't mean that in a diva-throwing-things sort of way (though, honestly, I have been known to give someone a little ta-ta for taking the last pink cupcake!), I just felt an urge for some theatrical flair. A little sprinkle of camp, a splash of glamour and, well, what better than a journey to 2006? It was like an explosion of tulle and sequins! You couldn't move for iconic drag queen looks, even at the local shops! I practically cried a glitter tear when I saw all the gorgeous tulle dresses!
You see, back in the day (oh yes, darling, even in 2006!), drag was booming. It wasn’t just about the underground scene, either; drag had officially become a glamorous phenomenon! Reality TV shows were starting to embrace the drag world. This, for a real queen, is like finding a stash of new pink glitter! We finally had a platform! And I’m telling you, the outfits, oh my sweet Lord!
Let me tell you, that first time travel was a rush! I always have a little cry (don't worry, darling, it's not because of the sparkles, even though they're the most lovely thing!) before I travel back to the past - a real 'we're off to see the wizard' sort of moment! And the journey in the pink tutu always sends shivers down my spine! It's not something you get used to, darling! It's an experience! (It's kind of like how I always get chills when someone holds the door open for me. Isn’t it just divine?)
But my journey was oh-so-worth-it!
Back to my fabulous trip in April, darling. The first thing I noticed in 2006 was how the 'RuPaul's Drag Race' craze had reached an absolute frenzy! I mean, imagine that! The world was in love with drag. And let’s not forget, the 2nd season of ‘RuPaul's Drag Race’ had just begun airing! Can you imagine, darling?! I can just picture myself doing the splits on stage, receiving a ‘Shanty' from a drag legend!
However, it wasn't all glitz and glam in the drag world, darling. I was also in awe of how much drag queens of that era fought against stigma and discrimination. The whole "drag isn’t a job" or "it’s not proper theatre" mentality - Ugh, it gave me so many eye rolls! (But, darling, those big sparkly glasses keep everything in focus!). They faced rejection, negativity, and sadly, often the lack of opportunities that came with being a performer in a lesser understood field. But this only seemed to give them even more motivation. Their passion and tenacity were breathtaking! They just wanted to express themselves, have fun, and do what they loved best - which, of course, was, you guessed it! Being gloriously dressed-up, entertaining, and bringing some fierce glamour to the world!
Now, I had to make some room in my time travel-worthy itinerary for a bit of DRAG RACE mania, darling. Let's get the inside scoop! Raven had just been crowned the winner of season 2, giving us that coveted tiara! It was like witnessing the queen of fashion in her prime, an absolute icon with that gorgeous, elegant makeup look and THOSE HAIR FLIPS! (I always give a hair flip of my own when I watch Raven, you just have to give her a moment).
While I was back in the past, it felt like the world was in a constant frenzy of Drag Races. You couldn’t go into a pub or club without some glitter and sass, but that didn't mean the old school drag legends were being forgotten. My own itinerary included a little bit of Divine, Judy Garland, and even Cher, just because I had to have a “Turn Back Time" moment to pay homage to these incredible pioneers of fabulousness!
On top of those wonderful queens, the scene had some amazing emerging talent too! This period felt like an incredible blossoming of creativity in the drag scene. Like, the scene was full of new talent! You see, back then, Miss Fame, one of the greatest makeup queens of the past, had just entered the drag scene! The art of drag is so diverse, it never ceases to amaze me! Even the music world was buzzing with a drag sensibility. In April, the queen of glitter herself, Cher, dropped her 'Dancing Queen' tour. What a treat for all the fans, darling! (Did she not look fabulous, especially in those pink glittery dresses?) I could even picture her backstage applying lipstick in a full, pink tutu… because really, any outfit would look dazzling on Cher. She's simply divine, and her look? She just makes it all so glamorous, so fabulous, so elegant! The girl never looked better! And she wore pink a lot, don't forget!
The time I spent in April 2006 was jam-packed with unforgettable drag shows and amazing performances, darlings! And don’t even get me started on the fashion! I almost lost my pink tutu and everything I'd packed trying to fit it all in! I spent a good chunk of time simply admiring the glorious drag fashion, trying to take inspiration from the fashionistas of 2006. There were big, beautiful hairstyles, some incredible, elaborate drag looks. All, of course, paired with an air of total self-confidence and glamour.
So, that, darlings, is the world of drag according to Emma in April 2006! What a wonderful experience, wasn't it? Don’t forget to check back next month for another journey back in time, where I'm planning on delving into the amazing, wacky world of 1975! What fabulous adventures await me!
Until next time, darlings, stay fabulous and keep those pink tutus flowing! Remember, darling, "A Pink Tutu A Day, Keeps the World's Sadness Away!"
