Oh darling! February already? Time truly flies when you're living your best life, shimmying across the centuries in a pink tutu, don't you think? As the snow melts, the birds start singing, and we all start dreaming of brighter days (and fabulous drag shows, of course!), it's time for another instalment of "Pink Tutu Time Travels", my monthly jaunt through the fascinating world of drag history.
This month, my pink tutu took me all the way back to February 2017, where I got a front-row seat to some truly spectacular events! You see, darlings, February was truly a month of glitter and glam, with queens popping up all over the world like confetti on a New Year's Eve!
Let's begin our little time travelling escapade, shall we? We'll need a sprinkle of that fairy dust magic to whisk us back to 2017. Hold tight and close your eyes…
The Glittering Gems of Drag, February 2017As the February chill started to settle over Derbyshire, I decided to hop into my trusty time travelling pink tutu and head off for some drag adventures! It was a particularly exciting month, darling. The world of drag was abuzz with events, new talents bursting onto the scene, and a general feeling of "oh honey, things are about to get fabulous!".
Let me spill the tea on some of the highlights of that incredible month:
1. "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 9 was kicking off, honey!
Oh, what a season! From the unforgettable entrance looks to the "Queen of the Werk Room" that was Sasha Velour, February 2017 was all about the iconic Ninth season. Every Friday, we'd all be glued to our screens, sipping our cocktails and gasping at the latest drama. Who can forget Valentina’s stunningly fierce "Lip Sync For Your Life" moment that month? It's enough to send a shiver of excitement down your spine!
2. The Queen's Gambit - On the Ballroom Scene!
While "Drag Race" was keeping us all in our feels on our tellies, February 2017 was also the month that saw the world fall in love with ballroom culture. It all started with that electrifying FX show, "Pose", featuring the incredibly talented and diverse ballroom stars. February 2017 was a month where the art, the history, and the extraordinary beauty of the ballroom community really burst onto the global stage. We were truly inspired by those queens and their history. They taught us that drag is a celebration of who we are and how we want to express ourselves - every strut, every spin, every beat-down - is a part of the beautiful tapestry of self-expression that we call drag!
3. "Snatch Game" Was The Big Talk of The Town
Did you catch the Season 9 “Snatch Game” back in February 2017, darlings? I must confess, I was still gasping and giggling at that one, a month later! Just imagine…Valentina (my absolute queen!), in the infamous persona of "Celine Dion" - iconic! The sheer power of the moment! Then there was that hilarious (and shocking, honey) performance of the season’s fan favourite: Aja! With her hilarious "Adele" impersonation, Aja proved to everyone why they should call her Queen of the Snatch Game! The talent, the humour - all absolutely superb, darling!
My Little AdventuresI simply had to be a part of this historical drag explosion in February 2017! It wouldn't have been a true pink tutu journey without experiencing the magic firsthand, and with a little time travel fairy dust sprinkled on my sparkly tulle, I was whisked to a glamorous drag show in the heart of New York City.
Oh, darling, the glamour was just intoxicating! I met the most extraordinary queens, the energy was electrifying, the fashion, just stunning. They were fierce, confident, and their talents - let me tell you - simply breathtaking! One particularly dazzling queen was serving some seriously inspiring "Miss-Universe-Realness," with her showstopping performance. She was everything we could possibly hope for from a queen - grace, confidence, and a smile that just lit up the whole room.
After the show, I popped down to the drag mecca - "The Stonewall Inn", a real landmark in the history of our glorious LGBTQIA+ movement! To this day, that experience gave me goosebumps. To walk through the door of this historic pub, knowing the battles that were fought here - it was so powerful. I found myself imagining the daring women and men who dared to fight for their rights, their happiness, and for the freedom of all LGBTQIA+ people. Their courage is truly inspiring.
That same day, I was transported, via my pink tutu time machine, to the world's first “Drag Race" premiere party. Can you believe it?! That day, in a room packed full of drag royalty, it felt like I was truly a part of something momentous, something groundbreaking, something that would change drag history forever. The sheer energy of the night felt like electricity! You could feel the love, the creativity, the excitement... it was magical, darling!
That week, in the realm of fashion and design, I discovered that a brand called "Fenty Beauty" by Rihanna had launched in February 2017, which just goes to show how powerful drag culture has been in inspiring beauty, fashion, and self-expression for everyone. Rihanna has always embraced the boldness and confidence of drag queens, so this felt like a wonderful nod to that iconic energy that we hold within our community!
The entire world of drag in February 2017 felt like an explosion of colour, light, and joy - and I, in my pink tutu, was swept right into the centre of it all.
Lessons LearntAnd so my journey to February 2017 ended - leaving me feeling grateful for the legacy we all carry in our hearts - the incredible women and men of drag who pioneered the path that we get to march down today. The brave queens of the ballroom, the queens who danced for their freedom in the streets of New York City - all of them have fought for the joy and acceptance we experience today! They've taught us the true meaning of "drag" - the courage, the love, and the power of expression that lets each of us dance with freedom and embrace our authentic selves.
So my lovelies, I encourage you all to find your inner queen - your confidence, your sparkle, your uniqueness! There are no rules, only the possibility for you to express who you really are in a way that feels true to you. Don't let anyone hold you back!
Embrace your inner glamour and let the sparkle and the fabulousness take over. After all, like me, you too can wear your own pink tutu as you march through life with a heart full of joy and a smile that lights up the world!
Pink Tutu Time Travels: Stay In The Loop!This month's pink tutu time travel adventures have left me with a deep appreciation for the journey we have taken. The world of drag is one of constant change, but the fundamental truth that unites us - our shared love for joy, creativity, and self-expression - always shines through.
Join me again next month, darlings! We will travel through another magical date in drag history, all while celebrating our incredible community!
Love,
Emma
*Remember: Always check out my other blog posts on www.pink-tutu.com! And you can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with my drag life, my fashion adventures, and, of course, all of my time travelling adventures!! *
P.S.: I'm also on the lookout for your favourite dates in drag history! So tell me, which era are you longing to explore? Share your favourite drag moments in the comments below - I can't wait to hear from you!
