Drag can mean anything, we can truly be our own creation! We just need to tell our inner saboteur to 'Sashay Away!' From an eternal pop icon, Freddie Mercury will always be our 'Queen!' Snatching their crown, a Two Spirit Indigenous Canadian 'Drag Race' icon took it home 'On Native Land!' 'Dancing On Ice?' I hardly know her! Coucou, Drag Race Belgique, Saison 2!
Farrokh Bulsara was born in Zanzibar on the 5th of September 1946, with a slight name change this human became one of the greatest performers the world would ever see! After spending most of his schooling in India at British boarding schools, then 'Farrokh' found that music had become something he could hold onto. His teenage years saw a monumental change as his family fled Zanzibar due to political unrest, that period of mutiny saw a soon to be called 'Freddie' restart his life in Middlesex, England. Along the road he found himself immersed in Brit culture with three new musical companions, ultimately 'Queen' was founded and 'Freddie Mercury' was born! Queen broke out with 'Killer Queen', written by 'Mercury' this song took this British quartet to a new height after three previous albums released before 1974. Galvanizing his audience with long hair, painted fingernails and 'killer' fur coat, 'Mercury' dressed the way he felt and with such looks became ever the 'Drag' icon in the mainstream at the time! Break free!
Queen were known for their outlandish and high camp music videos, making a statement 'Freddie' sashayed in with his 'female presenting' Drag look during 'I Want To Break Free', joined by the rest of the band with 'tongue and cheek' looks served! Work that hoover, Freddie! 'Mercury' will always been known for his stage presence, he commanded his audiences and never lost focus, he will always be a force to be reckoned with! Mercury slipped off to Germany, embracing a hedonistic lifestyle he enjoyed his best life regardless! Known for his camp nature, 'Mercury' was always known for shirking those awkward questions about his sexuality. The 'straight world' didn't see 'Mercury' for his fabulous authentic self, best friends 'Cleo Rocos' and 'Kenny Everett' did! Sure, 'Merucry' and 'Rocos' gave 'Princess Diana' a makeover and anonymously snuck her into the 'Royal Vauxhall Tavern!' In 1991. 'Freddie Mercury' passed away at the tender age of 45 years old from AIDS related illness. Our eternal 'Queen' Freddie M!
Canada's Drag Race, Season Four put the 'Heartbeat' back into that 'North of the Border' 'Drag Race' franchise! Serving 'Nigerian Excellence' with one of the first 'West African' queens entering the Canadian Werkroom, 'Luna DuBois' was ready to be the serious queen! 'Venus' became the untucked Red River Métis Two Spirit powerhouse, of course she was ready to change the game! 'East Asian Representation' was in full force with three queens representing 'Chinese & Pinoy Realness' on the fourth edition of this Canadian spectacle! Honouring 'Aurora Matrix', 'Kiki Coe' and 'Melinda Verga', respectively! 'Trans Man, 'Demin' came in as the 'Pocket Rocket' with a mighty presence considering their pint-size appearance! República Dominicana was in the house, I loved 'Aimee Yonce Shennel's' energy on the 'Main-Stage!' 'The Girlfriend Experience' served 'AllStars' chic during the competition because she deserves her own slice of 'Rudemption!' 'Sissi Superstar' gave us a different type of 'Québécois Drag!' Spoiled for choice?
Alberta made an appearance in the form of 'Nearah Nuff', was she the first Calgary queen in CDR herstory? Toronto's 'Kitten Kaboodle' served 'Mother of the House', showing us that experience is everything! This fourth season took me on a ride, the challenges made for great viewing! I loved the 'QV-She' television shopping challenge, the 'Fierce Flats' made me laugh hard! 'Canada VS The World, S1' winner 'Ra'Jah O'Hara' made an appearance as an 'Extra Special Guest Judge' along with fellow U.S. alumni, 'Jaida Essence Hall'. The 'Out Of The Closet' design challenge was a choice, it stirred up a lot of drama indeed! Of course, it was legendary to have 'Come Through' by 'Priyanka' ft. 'Lemon' as one of the lip sync songs! Getting to see 'Nelly Furtado' appear as a judge and mentor during the 'Grand Finale' felt correct! It was amazing to see her connection between the four finalists, her commitment was clear to see! Becoming the first 'Indigenous' winner, 'Venus' won the title! Come on 'Canada VS The World, S2!' Let's go!
With the explosion of 'Drag' on our television, it has been disappointing for me to have not seen more queens on UK Reality TV shows! 'Dancing On Ice' came through in 2023 with 'RuPaul's Drag Race UK' winner, 'The Vivienne' appearing on the ice skating competition on ITV. It was what we needed to see a queen in and out of drag compete on a prime time show, it was about time! Seeing 'James' transform into 'The Viv' was amazing, the 'straight' audience needed to see that queens deserve a space on shows like 'Dancing On Ice!' Other shows haven't been very forthcoming, I didn't get why BBC's 'Strictly Come Dancing' didn't cast a 'Ru-Girl' after two of the dancers became 'Extra Special Guest Judges' on two separate series of 'RuPaul's Drag Race UK?' UK VS The Word, S1' winner 'Blu Hydrandea' has become a front runner on Ireland's 'Dancing With The Stars. Their stint on the show has created a worthy and needed conversation, 'Drag Race' doesn't need to be the only TV show queens should be featured on! Oh, also 'Keiona!'
Absolutely, 'Courtney Act' from 'RuPaul's Drag Race, S6' stands as a 'Reality TV' veteran as she appeared on 'Australian Idol' twice before she walked into the 'Werkroom'. Better still, 'Courtney Act' became the first known 'Drag' participant on a UK version of 'Celebrtiy Big Brother' in 2018. 'Drag Race France, S2' winner 'Keiona Revlon' has recently stormed the France's 'Danse Avec Les Stars' to a very positive reception. After seeing the likes of 'Lily Savage' dominate mainstream breakfast television in previous years, it would be 'Much Betta' to see another UK 'Drag' powerhouse take a presenting role in the future. More than 'The Weakest Link's' 'Chaka Khan' reference, we deserve to see more prime time representation from queens regardless of their presence on a certain 'Race!' We are still waiting for a 'Ru-Girl' to be cast on a future BBC screening of 'Strictly Come Dancing' because if the Irish can do, why can't the Brits do the same?! Foxtrot she better don't! The 'Frock Destroyers' deserve their 'Eurovision' opportunity!
With 'Drag Race Sverige' on a hiatus, it was amazing to see the cast revealed for 'Drag Race Belgique, S2!' The second French language 'Drag Race Franchise' introduced a 'Botanic' themed cast reveal during early 2024 with 'Rita Baga' and 'Mustii' returning as host and judge respectively. Nine queens Sashayed into the Werkroom to be greeted by a positive reception, apparently one queen had pulled out of the competition? Ever the drama! This arm of 'Drag Race' was ready to welcome their first queen from 'Luxembourg', 'Madame Yoko' impressed me much! Following 'Mocha Bonè' from the first saison, 'La Vueve' was poised to be the second 'Bearded Queen' on the 'Belgian Race!' Mysteriously misunderstood, 'Morphae' brought beauty but felt the need to exit the competition early on. 'Gabanna' brought 'Latina Energy' with her 'Rita Kahlo' inpersonation at the 'Snatch Game!' Two Flemish queens represented the Dutch speaking portion of Belgium, both 'Chloe Clarke' and 'Star' brought their best French! Oui, oui!
Sharing her truth, 'Loulou Velvet' showed her vulnerability, expressing her truth regarding a long battle with their body. 'Sarah Logan' became the second 'Belgian Porkchop!' 'Alvilda' really needed to believe in herself because she took the crown from 'Drag Couenne!' I loved the 'Le Crime du Drag Express' acting challenge, the mysterious disappearance of wig gave me life during a darker day. I had never thought about them making 'Piorot' into 'Drag!' The makeover challenge brought together family members and chosen loved ones, it was a really wholesome challenge. The 'Eurovision' runway concept was one for the books, it was new to me because I didn't recognize the entrants. Snatch Game was actually funny, I had missed the Belgian humor and I do hope that this franchise is renewed for S3! Seeing 'Rita Baga' host again was great, it really seems like this role was meant for this French Canadian queen! 'Jimbo' made a short cameo appearance before the finale, the mini 'Canada's Drag Race, S1' reunion was so amusing.
Bohemian Rhapsody... But Make It Drag!
Desperately Seeking Adventure
