Hello, darlings! Emma here, back from another fabulous adventure through the annals of drag history, and I’m bursting to share it with you all! Now, you know my passion: spreading the glorious gospel of pink tutus – and what better way to do so than by journeying through time, sharing the amazing legacy of fabulousness that’s given us drag as we know it today!
This month, my pink time-traveling tutu transported me all the way back to September 2011. What a time it was! Let me tell you, darlings, things were positively POPPIN’ in the drag world then! I was positively giddy with excitement to be back in that glorious year – there was just SO much happening.
I landed smack-bang in New York City, the epicenter of it all. You see, that September, RuPaul’s Drag Race was in full swing. The season 3 finale had just aired and a little queen named Raja was crowned the winner, and my, oh my, she did a fabulous job in that sparkling pink gown, all elegant and powerful. (Yes, she knew what she was doing! The pink!) That finale, it was pure magic. And let's not forget the iconic season 3 queens – Alexis Mateo, Carmen Carrera, and Manila Luzon, to name but a few! They all gave us fierce runway looks, sickening lip syncs, and those hilarious “Snatch Game” moments – still can't believe Carmen dressed up as Little Miss Colombia!
From NYC, my pink tutu whirled me straight across the Atlantic to London, my home turf. What better place to find amazing drag shows? And oh honey, were they a sight to behold! I strutted down Soho streets, all pink feathers and glitter, catching a show at The Royal Vauxhall Tavern. The atmosphere was electrifying. I just love those small, intimate spaces where the energy just bursts out of the stage! There was something magical in the air, you know? These legendary drag shows were happening week after week and they were truly forming a global phenomenon. They’re part of the history we all have the privilege to enjoy today, you see, and I love getting to go back and be there to experience the energy.
I didn't stay just in London, oh no! The pink tutu whisked me all over the world, catching amazing drag performances. Over in Paris, a local bar was celebrating its drag queen-filled birthday. There was cabaret, there was comedy, there was music… and naturally, loads and loads of glitter and fabulous costumes. And across the Channel in Brussels, they were having a street party – full of fabulous drag queens dressed in amazing, outrageous costumes, all strutting their stuff and creating joy with their vibrant performances. You know me, darlings, my heart beats for this kind of community. It truly gives me life.
My September 2011 adventures continued, each stop bringing me face to face with drag artists whose talent, courage, and sheer flair have helped make drag what it is today.
Back then, social media was just beginning to take off, and I gotta say, the queens really embraced the power of connecting with their audiences through Facebook and YouTube. Remember when queens like Bianca del Rio, Miss Fame, and Violet Chachki first began gaining popularity? Those viral moments, they helped spread drag culture in a whole new way. I saw how they were sharing their work and connecting with fans in a whole new way – they were truly trailblazers!
And speaking of sharing… you know what we gotta do to celebrate this amazing era? Why, put on your favorite pink tutu, of course! Let’s spread the joy of drag and embrace its limitless possibilities. Whether it’s strutting down the street with confidence or gathering for a night of laughter and entertainment, let’s carry the spirit of these groundbreaking drag performers with us. Remember, there’s no wrong way to be fabulous!
And darlings, I promise you this: as long as the pink tutu allows it, I’ll be hopping through time, sharing all the amazing history of drag – the stories, the performers, the evolution – all of it.
Until next time, may your hearts always be filled with glitter and pink! 💖🩰
