Alright, darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels! Your girl Emma here, fresh from another whirlwind adventure through the annals of drag history. This month, we're taking a trip back to March 2016! It was a gloriously glittery time, let me tell you, chock-full of amazing performances, vibrant drag culture, and plenty of pink tutu inspiration!
As usual, my trusty time-traveling tutu took me straight into the heart of the action. I popped into the TARDIS (that's Time And Relative Dimension in Space, darling, but just "Tutu" for short) and whisked myself to March 2016, leaving a trail of shimmering pink sequins in my wake.
And oh my goodness, what a treat awaited me! I found myself in the midst of an absolutely legendary drag ball, one that was a true spectacle of sass and glamour.
Let me set the scene: imagine a cavernous ballroom adorned with more glitter than you could shake a feather boa at. The air was electric with anticipation, buzzing with the chatter of excited drag queens and the pulse of throbbing bass. I had to make sure I sashayed in, feeling the rhythm of the music as my pink tutu swirled around me, all the while looking for my perfect look amongst the glittering spectacle of queens. The first queen I spied strutting onto the runway looked incredible. This fierce goddess of glamour, her perfectly-painted face shimmering with the light from the disco ball.
Of course, no good drag ball is complete without a good runway walk, and I had to steal myself a quick catwalk too. Now, darling, you know my pink tutus are all about confidence, about showcasing yourself in the most spectacular way. So, as I sashayed down the makeshift catwalk, the lights hitting my pink tutu with dazzling effect, I had to remind myself that every walk is a moment for showcasing your fabulous self. I had to remember, we’re all about empowering each other.
Next up on the fabulous drag timeline for March 2016? Drag Race! Oh honey, let me tell you, watching RuPaul's Drag Race on a giant screen in 2016, well, that was like witnessing history in the making. You had your fierce queens, your fabulous looks, and those infamous lipsync battles - it was pure magic! Of course, darling, it was time for some shopping too, to be honest, I'd be hard pressed to call myself a drag queen time traveler without a good fashion expedition. After a quick walk through a few vintage stores, and a little rummaging at the local thrift shop, I managed to find some rather fabulous bargains for my time-traveling wardrobe. There were beaded fringe dresses galore, shimmering sequins enough to light up a night club, and some spectacular feather boas, so long they could probably be considered their own act!
But I didn't just want to see the incredible spectacle of drag in 2016. I also wanted to chat with the queens themselves. Now, let me tell you, these were some incredibly talented, funny and wise souls. We spoke about the evolution of drag, the impact of reality TV shows like Drag Race, the challenges facing drag queens around the globe, and the ongoing quest to break down stereotypes and dismantle stigma. There is nothing quite like talking to these drag superstars; they make you think, and they encourage you to see the world through a different, more glamorous, and more sparkly lens.
March 2016 wasn’t all about big ballrooms, giant screen Drag Races and fabulous drag queens. My journey took me from a bustling gay pride festival in New York City, brimming with rainbow colours, vibrant music, and passionate crowds. The energy here was electrifying, a collective explosion of joy, acceptance, and pride, just how we like it at Pink-Tutu! And I found myself caught up in an impromptu street performance by a local drag queen, all glitter and glamour, a dazzling spectacle under the vibrant, warm city lights. That experience made me think about how far drag has come. We are in an exciting time. So, we’re going to look at some iconic performers from 2016 who really got the show going!
And, of course, a drag journey is never complete without a little fashion talk! Let’s discuss some of the big names in drag in 2016. In New York City I even ran into the fabulously fabulous Bianca Del Rio (Queen of Drag Race Season 6, of course) and we got to discuss fashion for a bit, you know, how it makes a girl feel amazing when she steps out onto the stage. Of course, the queens from that season - Katya Zamolodchikova and Trixie Mattel (Season 7), Bianca, the stunning Alyssa Edwards and Roxxxy Andrews and Alaska! There are some queens you just know will become a drag legend! But darling, let's remember all these fabulous women!
That, my loves, is the power of drag. To uplift each other and share in the joy and wonder of performance, expression, and fashion! Let's give it up for March 2016 - it was a time filled with fabulousness and, frankly, the sparkliest, most incredible drag I have seen so far! And, of course, we are still pushing the boundaries of creativity, fashion and fun. And to be honest, we can't wait to see what amazing looks come from the next big Drag Race and what the amazing drag scene does in the months ahead.
But this is a drag queen history blog, darlings, and I’m only about inspiring my readers, right? The world has a drag show for everyone. This means if you've got that inner sparkle - that unique passion that you want to unleash on the world, grab yourself a pair of glittery boots, find yourself a sassy frock (a pink tutu maybe? 👀) and step into the spotlight. Because you are fabulous!
See you next month for a brand new pink tutu time travel adventure, darlings! In the meantime, be fierce, stay sparkly, and never forget: the world is your catwalk! 💖
Lots of love,
Emma 💋✨
