Oh, hello, dears! Itās Emma, your resident time-traveling ballerina extraordinaire, back from a whirlwind adventure through July 2009! Did you know, July is National Ice Cream Month in the US? Just like we know itās always National Tutu Month, anywhere, anywhen. Twirls in a gloriously pink tulle concoction
Now, pack your imaginary suitcases with all the sparkly finery you can muster, 'cause this month, weāre jetting across continents to witness the phenomenal drag scene in 2009, and boy, were things truly fabulous!
A Glimpse into 2009: When Drag Was Taking Centre Stage!
July 2009 was bursting with exciting happenings in the world of drag, proving once again, that drag is a global phenomenon, a dazzling explosion of artistry, and most importantly, a celebration of our beautiful, unique selves.
First, let's hop over to New York City, the birthplace of modern drag, where RuPaul's Drag Race, oh, honey, it was just starting to take off! The iconic second season of Drag Race was reaching its finale. Itās difficult to imagine life without Drag Race now, but imagine a world where Ru wasnāt giving us all those fabulous, well, letās just say inspirational moments - itās quite the thought, isnāt it? I must say, this whole "reality TV" concept seems so revolutionary from my vantage point here in the 2020s.
And in the heart of the UK drag scene, letās pop down to London. At the time, there was a show that captured the spirit of this bustling city called Pop Tarts: A Cabaret of Pop-tastic Mayhem. Can you even imagine a cabaret that's both pop and tarty? I certainly can, because darling, I live for those shows!
From Broadway to Drag: A Night at āThe L Wordā
Across the pond, a bit of history was being made in Los Angeles. Now, dearies, as you know, I'm not the biggest fan of the West Coast (it doesn't quite compare to the glamour of, say, Derby - well, letās face it, Derby wins, no contest, but we wonāt start another county versus county feud here!). But I can't deny that some rather phenomenal events happened out West, just like what was happening at The Comedy Store, a well-established comedy hub. A show was going on that, even with my extensive time-travelling experience, I still consider truly groundbreaking. āThe L Word,ā a lesbian-themed TV series, which became one of the biggest media sensations of the time, was doing a show there - talk about a night of entertainment! I imagine the sheer power of being able to identify with characters, real characters, in the media, must have felt like a momentous leap, like we, well, all of us, are being represented and, most importantly, heard. She shed a tear.
Tutu Tales: My Journey Through 2009
As you might already know, my adventures always begin with me embarking on a journey wearing my magnificent, shimmering, time-traveling, magical tutu! Now, donāt worry, itās a totally confidential pink tutu, designed with secret pockets and sparkles. My trusty tutus always come through for me; a wardrobe staple and a tool to bring back my favourite eraās glamour to modern times.
In 2009, my tutus had me prancing around the fabulous Hollywood, enjoying some major gossip-worthy shows like āThe Bald and the Beautifulā at the House of Gaga - Iām obsessed with her music, Iāll have you know! Thereās even a slightly less glamorous side to 2009. Can you imagine this, without Rupaul, without the Drag Race, how drag queens found their way? Well, I do - this is the true essence of drag history: the spirit, the heart, the drive, the talent. Thatās what I love most about drag: a real sisterhood, a beautiful, artistic movement that exists wherever we travel, whatever the time.
And wouldnāt you know it, in the midst of the LA glitz, I had to sneak a peek into a Drag Race audition and let me tell you: the level of competition! Imagine how much work went into crafting a killer performance for those 2 minute slots, those looks! Oh honey, some of the looks could make you want to just grab some fabric, stick it on a stick, call it a costume, and head straight to a warehouse, just anywhere, and perform, perform, perform!
The spirit of Drag Race definitely has roots way back in this decade, so, keep on twirling, hone your looks, and know that your time, just like my tutus, can carry you across the decades. You never know what glorious performance might await you!
So, until next month, dear lovelies! Remember, stay true, stay pink, and most importantly, always wear a tutu.
Kisses to the heavens as she time travels back to the 2020s, disappearing in a swirl of pink tulle
*PS! Donāt forget to head on over to www.pink-tutu.com for my drag tips, photos, and even the *occasional tutus for sale! Oh, and a big thanks to everyone who's been attending my shows. The donations allow me to keep those time-traveling tutus looking fresh and glamorous! You are the true inspiration. Blows kisses to the camera
