Darlings,
It's me, your fabulous pink-tutu wearing friend, Emma, back with another whirl through the annals of drag history! This month, we're waltzing back to June 2012, a time when the world was a sparkly rainbow of glitter and feather boas!
Now, darling, don't think I've lost my mind – I've definitely not lost my mind. My dear friend, you see, my beloved time travelling pink tutu whisked me away to a very different time this month! Think big hair, fierce looks, and a whole lot of fierce competition. The world of drag, as always, was bubbling with amazing talent!
But before we dive into the dazzling depths of June 2012, let's gather a little inspiration with some fashion! Now, as a woman who adores ballet, it only felt right that my ensemble for this particular trip back in time should be a touch of pink ballet magic. Imagine this – a fluffy, pink tutu, layers upon layers of pink tulle cascading around my legs. The colour just pops against a sparkly pink sequined bodice, don't you think? You can bet the sequins caught the stage lights like fireflies. Let's be honest, darlings, it was FABULOUS!
So, now we're properly set in the mood, let's step back to June 2012! My dear friend, the world of drag was in full bloom! In the United States, Season 4 of "RuPaul's Drag Race" had just wrapped up its glamorous finale. Sharon Needles, a fierce drag queen with a knack for darkly comedic theatrics, was crowned as the season's winner. What a queen, eh? The finale was a monumental moment in drag history, sending ripples of excitement throughout the world. Oh, how those looks sent chills down my spine!
The drag scene was buzzing! Over in Derbyshire, my very own neck of the woods, Drag Idol was just in its infancy. Now, darlings, we all know Derbyshire doesn't quite scream New York or San Francisco when it comes to drag, but Drag Idol, with its local queens, was starting to really put us on the map. Remember the talent, darlings, because some of those queens have gone on to do fabulous things. It was a truly inspiring time!
Speaking of inspiration, this trip really made me appreciate how global drag had become. The world, quite simply, was on a drag journey! There were drag balls happening in Germany, London had an incredible scene, and of course, the United States, as always, was full of fabulous drag queens, with a host of exciting shows and productions cropping up in big cities and small towns alike.
The theatre scene was especially vibrant. Drag queens weren't just confined to clubs anymore, darlings. They were storming Broadway! This was the month the fabulous Lady Gaga won two awards, including an Emmy for "A-Yo" (as part of "Lady Gaga and the Muppets’ Holiday Spectacular" show), making drag ever more mainstream and paving the way for a new generation of queens.
Don't get me wrong, the queens weren't afraid to put on a show! I've seen my share of amazing drag acts in my travels, and this was a year where many were pushing the boundaries and experimenting with new techniques, new concepts and, of course, NEW FASHIONS! Imagine the thrill! This is truly when drag was at its most expressive and most exciting. I just wish I'd brought a whole fleet of luggage for the clothes!
You see, dear readers, the best thing about drag, even back then, was its inclusiveness! All queens were welcome! You didn't have to fit a particular mould, no darling! From the glamorous diva queens with all the big hair and dramatic makeup to the punk queens, the bearded queens, the funny queens, all of them came together to make the world a more fabulous, joyful, and expressive place. Oh, don't get me started on the hilarious drag kings! I spent a wonderful time with those fabulous chaps!
Of course, with every fantastic drag performance and every breathtaking ball came a ton of hard work and dedication! Those queens were not just performers, darlings, they were visionaries. Each performance was a testament to their creative spirit and artistry, taking months of hard work and painstaking practice to perfect. You're not getting a performance like that for nothing, let me tell you!
What’s more, the drag queens I encountered in 2012 weren't just performing – they were inspiring. Their stories and struggles resonated deeply with a large audience, helping people to understand issues like LGBTQ+ rights and gender identity, showing them how much progress has been made, but also, highlighting the important fight that remains ahead.
Now, you know me, my darlings, and how much I adore fashion! 2012 had all the looks! Drag queens had become incredibly creative with their outfits, mixing vintage finds with modern touches and really pushing the boundaries of design. We're talking bold prints, shimmering textures, outrageous accessories and, yes, darlings, an absolute abundance of feather boas! Just think of how many fashion magazines have these queens on their covers today – they truly made fashion so much more exciting, don’t you agree?
For this post, I had to bring back some of those fab outfits. Think glittering bodices and wildly extravagant headpieces – all adorned with every jewel imaginable, because darling, drag is a whole lot of glitz and glam! The costumes alone were pure spectacle, a captivating mix of couture creations and homemade wonders. It was quite the inspiring whirlwind!
Now, my darlings, what can I say about my time travels other than they were a delightful experience, eh? Seeing the world of drag from a different perspective was incredible!
But there was something else that really stuck with me... in 2012, there was a real sense of community. Drag wasn't just about individual expression. It was about coming together, sharing your story, and finding joy in celebrating what it meant to be different, bold, and uniquely fabulous. It was the same feeling I felt as a young queen growing up in Derbyshire, my very own community supporting me every step of the way. That sense of camaraderie is so essential for any queen and I just had to share it.
But let's face it, my darlings, if you don't have a pink tutu, there's really no time like the present to get one! Until next time, let your fabulous colours shine through, and keep sparkling.
Love always,
Emma (the pink-tutu queen)
P.S. If you're heading to London, make sure you check out Drag Idol! You never know, maybe one of these fabulous local queens will spark the next drag phenomenon!
