Mama Ru was about to flip the script, we had been waiting for 'Global All Stars' for the longest of time! 'Dead Or Alive' 80's pop sensation, 'Pete Burns' kept things razor sharp without fail! The highlight of my childhood Saturday nights had to be that 'impersonation' singing show! The UK was ready for it's 6th 'Drag Race' rodeo, representing all four UK home nations! Yes, Nehellenia!
Mama Ru and Michelle Visage had disappeared good and proper, resurfacing from a suspicious trip to Colombia, only that 'Drag Race' mega season could be Ru-vealed! Twelve contestants from twelve countries were ready to compete for one space in the 'new' 'International Pavilion within the Drag Race Hall of Fame!' Ranging from the USA's 'Alyssa Edwards' to Down Under's 'Kween Kong', this bumper season was about to become real shady in a very short space of time! Serving Asian Excellence from the debut season of 'Drag Race Philippines' was the one and only 'Eva Le Queen!' Sweden served 'Vanity Vain' and France was blessed with 'Soa De Muse!' Featuring the first ever Italian queen to compete on an 'All Stars' contest, 'Nehellenia' was about to do her nation proud! The UK boasted 'Kitty Scott Claus' with Brazil bringing powerhouse, 'Miranda Lebrão'. Germany had sent 'Tessa Testicle', whereas Mexico introduced the 'dama peligrosa' as 'Gala Varo!' 'Pythia' represented Canada with Belgium bringing 'Athena Likis!' OK!
This season served the usual challenges, trials and reading challenge, it was just the 'International Queens' who brought their country made flavour! Pushing through her developing health issues, it was amazing to see Miranda fight during her talent show number! Serving 'Africa' on the runway was a joy to see from France's own 'Soa De Muse' to name a few. The 'Snatch Game of Love' was 'Kitty Scott Claus's' to win from the very start, her portrayal of 'Princess Diana' was hilarious! It was great to see the two Javis from 'Drag Race España!' It was clear to see who Ru was backing, it was 'Alyssa's' third rodeo and it seemed that she was going for the crown! It was clear to see that a certain witches brew was being stirred as the competition progressed, certain queens really made themselves look awful! 'Nehellenia' preserved above all of the adversity, rising above those who sought to bring her down, making her place in the finale more worthy! Will we see a second season? Bring on the chaos! Get the girls over to Colombia!
Thrust into the pop world with a banger of a tune, 'Pete Burns' became a superstar with 'You Spin Me Round' with his band, 'Dead Or Alive'. Many people weren't aware of this flamboyant music icon until their 2006 appearance on 'Celebrity Big Brother'. Recovering from a serious reconstructive surgery on their lips, Pete entered the 'House' to turn things upside down! Making it to the finale was an annoyance to Pete but they remained cut throat with those comebacks and read Jodie Marsh and others to filth! I really had time for Pete when he was in the house because now I can see why they needed to enter the house. In a cycle of plastic surgery triumphs and calamities. I actually remember seeing 'Dead Or Alive's' appearance on 'Top of the Pops', the eye patch became an unknowing trend because Burns needed to cover a shock mistake from one of his first nose jobs! Pete expressed that he had always craved a different look, to self-transform themselves into a beautiful being. Pete remained an icon, transforming forevermore!
Feeling like the world had imprisoned them, not seeing the fun side of fame, Pete retreated for many years. Pete has been real, admitting that some of their later 'reality tv' gigs had been less than desirable. As ever, Burns always fashioned themselves in the finest looks during appearances on shows like 'Celebrity Wedding Planner' and 'Pete's PA'. I always admired Pete's attitude, the way they would carry themselves really inspires me to keep things real on a daily basis. I know that Pete Burns will forever be a British icon within the realms of music, fashion, cosmetic surgery and everything in-between! Expressing that their parents encouraged Burns to live authentically, seeing their mom wear wigs and be eccentric. Burns said that every form of dress is 'Drag' and that men's fashion is so restrictive, exclusively not labelling themself with a term we use today as 'non-gender conforming'. Out of the blue in 2016, at the age of 57, Pete Burns tragically suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. No, we will never again see a person like Pete!
Saturday evenings as a kid, I was spoiled for choice for television and I know now that we will never experience the same 'campy' shows that were enjoyed by the masses! 'Stars in their Eyes' was beyond 'Drag', it transported those in our living rooms to a whole performance that meant more than the original rendition! Taking ordinary people from their very mundane lives, turning them into their alter-egos was the biggest form of 'Drag!' As a child, I found a level of escape in this 'over the top' show because it was entertaining and showed 'Joe Public' that we could leave our 'everyday lives' for 45 minutes on a normal Saturday evening. Now, future incarnations of this show have been painful to watch, there's been too much done to reboot this concept variety show. I actually believed that the contestants were transformed into their chosen artist in the dry ice as after they had stepped inside the all important star! Now, let me live my life because not having social media kept us invested in these shows, we were impressed by what was delivered.
People who got to the final screening invested a lot, it was like they were going through their own 'X-Factor' moment before even 'Pop Idol' was conceived! This family appropriate evening 'Drag' show turned people into singers like 'Sandy Shaw, Julie Andrews, Luther Vandross, Karen Carpenter and Bon Jovi to name a few. I remember that a few celebrity editions were aired, I won't forget the late 'Jade Goody' impersonate 'Lynn Anderson' singing her 1971 hit, 'Rose Garden'. Now, I stumbled upon a recording from 1994, the whole production was top tier with a real draw that we just don't see on television these days. Bringing amateur performances with a fantasy touch allowed us all to make our own critiques, as mentioned before this was before any other reality 'Popstars-like' television had bombarded our screens. Take us back to a simpler time, to a whole lot of glitz and ordinary glamour where seemingly normal people had their moment! 'Drag' was right before me, on my childhood tv screen every weekend evening! Truth!
It was that time of year again, Mama Ru and Michelle Visage Ru-turned to the United Kingdom to film the sixth season of 'RuPaul's Drag Race UK!' Not jam, we wanted more 'Marmalade' on our toast! Our Manchester queen was 'living life in lavish luxury?' Oh, Lil!' The talent show opener put the cat amongst the pigeons, would 'La Voix' really go far? Scotland's 'Chanel O' Conor' represented Bute! 'Actavia' bounded into the Werkroom like an excited puppy, speaking Welsh also! A shocking revelation was about to be exposed by 'Kyran Thrax!' From her usual run on the cruise-ships, 'La Voix' brought out her best 'Princess Diana' Drag from her day spent at Thorpe Park. Bringing a flavor of 'St. Lucia', 'Rilesa Slaves' and 'Kiki Snatch' brought their signature 'Island Gyal' Drag! Northern Ireland's own 'Nadine Coyle' impersonator, 'Charra Tea' was sweet as pie! 'Zahirah Zapanta' served 'British Filipina' on the runway! ZAHIRAH! So, 'Saki Yew' met her match with that shower! 'Dita Garbo' was the 'Porkchop! Come on, Season Six!
The season started with a never seen before 'Cabaret Style' opener with Ru judging from the side-lines. Teams were formed to destroy the first design challenge of the season, Chanel started beef with Marmalade! It was iconic! 'Brit Flicks' turned a classic like 'Love Actually' into something truly 'Drag Race' worthy! Girl Group week came with two stellar bands forming for one night only, both 'Dragula's Child' and 'The Things' definitely put on a show! 'Graham Norton' hosted a special version of his show, putting the queens in the deep end to stand out on that chat-show sofa! Steps icon 'Claire Richards' made an appearance! The Snatch Game had three clear winners for me, 'Charra Tea' as 'Nadine Coyle' dressed as 'Mary Poppins' after an audition. Secondly, 'Kyran Thrax' as 'Elvis' and 'La Voix' as 'Liza Minnelli'. 'Pop of the Tops' Rusical was amazing, 'Lil's' 'Cilla Black' was hilarious! 'La Voix's' dad stole our hearts during the 'Makeover Challenge!' The 'Roast' was phenomenal! Sure, 'Kyran Thrax' deserved their victory!
Cast Lady Bushra For UK S7!
Desperately Seeking Adventure
