#michelle visage when i get you…

[jinkxie]

i love you so much max you were done so wrong

[ingravinoveritas]

Just wanted to share a few thoughts on the BAFTAs today, now that I've had a bit of time to process the day's events (and am no longer running around cooking Mother's Day dinner)...

I feel like this was a sort of roller coaster of an event, as so many of us were hoping/expecting to see Michael on the red carpet, given David's nomination for playing Crowley in GO 2. In many ways, it was strange and even jarring to see David without Michael, especially while wearing such a gloriously Crowley-coded suit, but mainly because they are now truly a group of the two of them, a packaged set, peanut butter and chocolate.

And yet, seeing David talking about Good Omens and Michael (referring specifically to the Michelle Visage interview, which I adored just because of how they vibed together, in much the same way that Michael was vibing with Sir Ian McKellen on Graham Norton a few months ago), the way he teased the possibility of more kisses in S3 and so effortlessly ran with Michelle saying "Michael Sheen kisses" instead of "Aziraphale and Crowley kisses"...all of that made it feel like Michael was present. Like whatever mark he and David left on each other after the last six months was fully and completely visible without being visible.

I also loved seeing David so brimming over with confidence and self-assurance--something that wasn't there specifically because of Michael or Georgia or anyone else, but because of David himself. I feel like said qualities are most especially apparent in this gorgeous picture:

We talk so much about the suits and how Joshua Kane or Mithridate dress him so exquisitely, but I think something that gets overlooked sometimes is that what makes these suits look as beautiful as they do is David himself. The way he carries himself when he wears them, and how there seems to be such a perfect congruity between how he feels on the inside and how he looks on the outside. Again, this is not saying that David hasn't worn flamboyant or flashy suits in the past (the velvet ones of course come to mind), but there definitely seems to be something special about him wearing these suits, at this specific moment in time.

I also really loved one particular photo of him with the suit jacket off/sleeves rolled up. Again, it's not only the clothes themselves (and how gorgeously they hang on him), but also how it felt like a moment of just...letting go of something. It also immediately brought to mind the photo of Michael with his bow tie undone at the NTAs after party in 2021:

(Granted I'm fairly certain David is tipsy/a bit drunk in the photo on the left, but somehow that damn hint of a bare forearm felt as daring and racy as seeing an ankle in the Victorian era...)

As to what David was "letting go" of, we can't know for sure, but it looked like something was released, and that he was just so fully present and being himself on the red carpet. I'm so proud of him, so delighted by this new, carefree David that I don't think we've ever seen before, but that I absolutely do hope we will continue to see in the future.

Those are my thoughts on the 2024 TV BAFTAs, for whatever they may be worth. I'd love to know what you all thought of David on the red carpet, and if anyone else noticed some of these things, too...

[ponyboyssophie]

Love iconography in Sorry We're Closed (2024)

As the Angel of Love in this game is represented by a horse-chimera, there was a lot of care put into using horses to symbolize love & relationships. There's the obvious theme of Dream Eater plastering his realm with paintings, statues, and artifacts about Chamuel and other random places like the crypt using his visage too, but I'm mostly gonna talk about something a bit more abstract.

Sorry We're Closed uses hearts as its primary symbolism for love; but it also uses a less mainstream visual motif to show us how it matters to the characters. Horse. :)

To start with, each episode of Dying Petals starts out with a shot of a horse painting, before zooming out to bring in the characters.

Shots of the characters talking will usually be accompanied by one or two paintings. This is where we first see horses associated with relationships.

[There are TWO SEPERATE paintings behind them, yknow, just in case you don't notice the first.]

You might know that the story represents Michelle's love life, (quite literally as Epiphany is played by her actual ex; the story mimics their conflict and break up) but this room also becomes the place where Michelle solidifies her destiny, whether she chooses new love, her ex, or something else.

Also, notice how the painting behind Canary is much bigger than the one behind Epiphany. This is still true when accounting for perspective.

Although the biggest (and brightest) horse painting is off-screen.

You can see it behind Chamuel on the final day, next to his door that allows you to choose love.

The Carousel.

In the scene where we watch the duchess execute a woman for lying about her 'love' for the Duchess to save her life, there is a carousel-style horse in the background.

This is, I believe, the first time we see this horse carousel, and it appears with a bleeding heart. An empty spot where there used to be something. Love is not here.

The Duchesses room.

On the outside, you see paintings of Dream Eater and Chamuel.

I used to think a lot of the paintings around the game were random - like maybe they were just filler. There's a lot of repetition of the same images over and over again, but I've come to understand it is its own visual language.

The Duchess seems to place a big focus on these two around the hotel - who are "quite infamous" in the supernatural community. There's the obvious connection to taboo love here, but I think it's also an example of a demon being able to resist the change of love. Which might explain the hierarchy here of Dream Eater being on the top/larger. More value is placed on Dream Eater, who holds onto the past.

[Spoilers for inside the Duchesses room]

Straight off the bat, you start to notice a trend in this room. This is where I started picking up on the meanings behind certain pieces and noticing the emphasis on horses throughout the game, especially in regards to the Duchess. It might feel like maybe they just like horses - having a picture book with horses or framed paintings all over their room seems like more of an interest, but it continues to entwine them in the language of love.

Also - I won't go into this too deeply but the repetitive paintings of the Duchess, especially the close ups of their eye/features, is a parallel to the fractured, disjointed images of Chamuels face that represent his 'mortalisation' and get more and more frequent (and also, violent) the further he gets into his struggle with love. It implies to me that the Duchess has already begun this process, or at least reflects how they've been fractured by love as well.

Ironically, the picture of the lead singer of Michelle's favourite band, who they brought to the hotel to make her feel more at home is right next to it. It's not mentioned if the Duchess was already a fan, or if they checked it out because of Michelle/how much they love her outfit (fish fight shirt included!) :)

Here we see the horse with the bleeding heart again.

Over their clean, neat bed which is kind of a mix between elegant hotel opulence and rusty torture chamber imagery (the case on the left side of the bed..... if you know you know). Their room itself is a beautiful illusion that seeks to cover up for their one weakness, but it still shows through.

You also find some assorted Duchess-themed artifacts.

Notably, the missing heart fragment. T.A.D says this is "said to be what remains of the Duchesses heart after the incident."

(There's also the presence of Dying Petals in the Duchesses room, but that's a topic for another post.)

I also find it interesting that she has these on her shelf. A visual reference to Dream Eater fighting himself, maybe?

[Also, Bonus A La Mode games reference. Or, the Duchesses version of the warriors that I've just now realised is a reference to the devs logo]

Hotel Ascent is when things start to get more... surreal.

There's a repeated trial throughout this area where, to pass to the next room, you have to charge your heartbreaker before shooting the heart of the horse statue. The first instance of this is also accompanied by a literal anatomical heart you have to shoot to charge it up.

Usually, it's aggressively defended by giant roller-spikes and/or enemy hordes. The Duchess doesn't want you to break past their barriers and into their heart, that's for sure.

This is the opening scene for the final boss fight.

The statues stay in the background for the whole fight. Notice how these ones no longer have arrows jutting from their chests.

(We also see these weird abstract horses from the start of hotel ascent again - even they have a true form which can only be seen with the third eye.)

Other uses in the game.

I think Dream Eater's Palace would take up wayy too much, so I'll skip it. It's already something that is canonically brought to attention in-game so Iif you've played it of course you'll already know how obsessed this guy is with, uh, horses, and what that says about him. :)

There is also a picture of Dream Eater (a.k.a "a forlorn being") in the church where Benedict and Robyn (the OTHER angel/demon relationship) spend most of their time together. You can imagine it's not on the side Beloved chooses to hang around haha.

Oakley doesn't have anything in his diner as far as I know, but Darrel does have two paintings of the earlier picture of Duchess riding a horse in his bar.

He has other Duchess paintings also, likely because they're his boss, but this feels very in-place in the bar for a reason.

It does mean that all three relationships in the game have some connection to Dream Eater/Chamuel imagery. Some of it may be coincidence, but I thought I'd mention this anyway as it solidifies the connection to love.

Okay fine I'll talk about the crypt.

The examples/relationships I've used here are romantic in nature, but it's worth noting there are excessive amount of Chamuel statues in the crypt as well. A crypt that belonged to a broken family, that has mostly covered up it's traces of said family after Gabriella took revenge on her parents. Traces of angels are systematically replaced with demonic imagery, as though Gabriella was insulted by the appearance of love being featured so heavily throughout her families tomb. You might see love in the past (using your third eye), but it's disappeared/fractured.

So what's up with the horses?

I already kind of mentioned this at the start, but in this fictional world the concept of love and horses are pretty much inherently linked through Chamuel, so I appreciate how they leaned into this by making it sort of a cultural concept of love.

Horses can be seen as a symbol of love historically, but generally the cultural zeitgeist uses something a bit more fragile and delicate, like doves or rabbits.

It reminds me of Disco Elysium, where love is understood through the lungs rather than the heart due to it's association with Dolores Dei; a pseudo-religious symbol who was just a deified historical figure. Changing what love 'looks' like in a way that serves the story. It shows how well-intergrated Dream Eater and Chamuel are in the world-building and story. They represent the fear of change, and the consequent leap of faith you need to embrace that change. Something the Duchess needs.

Why not use horses? It still feels childlike and nostalgic. They're strong, lively creatures who still exist as prey animals to be hunted - the Duchess doesn't want to be hunted. She wants to hunt.

And, life didn't really go that way for her.

By the way I lied earlier, not every episode of Dying Petals has a horse painting. In the Duchess route, during the final episode when Epiphany and Canary break up, they are cramped into the only corner of the room that doesn't have horses. I guess Michelle really did move on from Leslie. :)

[respectthepetty]

Pride Petty Watch - LiTA (Sky/Prapai) 1/3

The crowd picked Love in the Air as the first show to ever move off of my Petty List, so I'm watching it and recapping my experience, and oh boy, is it an *experience*. I wrote about the first seven episodes in two parts [here and here], so it's time to dive into the next six episodes!

Woot woot!

I had to make sure I didn't click on episode one again because it's the same scenes showing again. This is the third time they have been shown? Fourth? I'm here for one thing and one thing only. Quit bullshitting LiTA and GIVE ME WHAT I CAME FOR!

Oh my God, my heart just jumped into my throat with this music and this lighting behind this devil.

I know how their story starts. I already knew. I will be not be upset at him. I will not get into my feelings about this even though this music and lighting are hellbent on making Prapai seem like The Worst™

I would love to claim "pink = 💕love💕" but not today, Satan.

Sky saying "Where's the condom?" as more of a demand rather than a question and the arch of his back are an appreciation post in themselves. This is transactional and he is not here to make friends.

WHY AM I BEING SHOWN RAIN AND PAYU AGAIN?! If you don't have enough material for thirteen episodes, just say it! Because my boy disassociated, went on autopilot, and is now tucking this nightmare away in a dark corner of his mind in true Trauma Compartmentalizing 101 fashion, yet I gotta see Payu and Rain's Daddy x Baby nonsense another round?! I only respect one person in this house and the rest of these men can choke. I wrote what I wrote.

Hold up, Prapai was AWAKE when Sky left looking like that? And now he is reminiscing about it in all black with that black rose of death lapel pin? *Arthur Fist*

I support queer rights AND queer wrongs, but this show is testing me like I'm fucking Frodo having to deliver a ring to the depths of hell in the month of Pride. Sky just went home and cried on his bed, while this woman is talking about getting over heartbreak because Prapai can't stop thinking about this one-night stand. I cannot be queer and *here* in these conditions with el diablo smirking every two seconds.

KinnPorsche, my old enemy, we meet again. Didn't think I'd see you here, but it tracks because where there is a rich bastard incapable of getting over the poorer man he wrongfully exerted power over, there will be a robe, wine, and a sex worker. (That boy looks like the Memory in the Letter lead)

"I feel sorry for your prey" - Everyone is too busy looking at the metaphorical weather that represents the characters to notice the red alert standing right there.

On God, if a man called me like that without telling me his name and proceeded to just . . . be creepy, it'd be on like Donkey Kong. I was raised by Sidney Prescott from Scream and if a man wants to play games over the phone, then he needs to be prepared to die. And what is it with this show trying to distract me with with these problematic men working out? I know they are attractive, but as Michelle Visage stated "stop relying on that body!" AND NOW CREEPY TEXTS, and the only thing Sky thinks is a "man like that wouldn't be into [him]" . . . BL boys would greatly benefit from feminism.

Prapai, you have to get less creepy. You just have to because this is not it, my man. You are throwing out the beginning-of-a-psycho-killer vibes and I cannot. I simply. Can. Fucking. Not.

Sky is pissed at Rain, threw the flowers, and has Prapai listed as "Psycho" so it's clear who has the brain cell of these weather boys, and it's the one whose back is hurting FROM CARRYING THE WEIGHT OF THE DAMN WORLD ON HIS SHOULDERS!

I will not be swayed by the sunflowers, the fact that Prapai is aware Sky is a Sad Boy, or the blue. As far as I'm concerned, by the end of this episode, Prapai is still the devil. NEXT EPISODE!

The energy between these two is giving me GMMTV "brothers," and that is not a compliment.

I'm not going to fault Sky for not throwing away the flowers because reuse, recycle, re-

WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING?!

*took a six hour break and contemplated the meaning of life, made an avocado smoothie then poured rum in it, started doing yoga then ended up in savasana, which means I just laid there and looked at the ceiling, and finally I remembered the gorgeous Zani is in this show, so I returned*

This boy is me and I am him. I'm so chill that if I got any cooler, I'd be an ice cube. Just chilling. So chill. The chill is immaculate. I am meditating. I am praying. I am one with the storm. I'm the chillest. Climate change no longer exists because I'm just, so, fucking, chill. ~Let's continue~

I don't want to give Prapai any credit because I already told my mom I hate him which means we are sworn enemies in this life and future ones as well, but him noticing that Sky spaced out even though he immediately jumped back into flirting mode, and him reinforcing that he thinks Sky is attractive in any state including this one should be an issue because he is still focusing on Sky's body, but he doesn't know Sky well enough to have anything else, so . . . one whole point for Slytherin, I guess.

Rain is not a real one and if Sky was a rapper, this in when he would have dropped the ultimate diss track cementing his place in academic rhetoric for all eternity. Even if I didn't know about his ex, I could have read that expression, but Rain? Once again, one brain cell, and Sky has it.

I want to give Prapai the points for the food, but he doesn't even know what Sky likes, so this is White Man Ambition at its finest. Thank goodness that Sky is throwing it awa-

NOT THE FUCKING RED AGAIN!

Dear Reader, I'm going to level with you here one and a half episodes into this arc: I now fully understand The Fuckery. I greatly appreciate the 126 people who picked this show because this is the perfect example of what I keep reading about a MAME series. The abrupt shifts between aggressive flirting, dick jokes, and trauma is jarring. I knew the kidnapping was coming for Rain, but hearing Stop say that Rain would be sexually assaulted by his gang of men if Payu didn't stop fighting back was the most violent moment of an already physically violent event that, strangely, did not affect me until that very moment. I know what is coming for Sky, yet having these intercuts of Sky's abuse, although effective, are humbling in a way I was not expecting. Because what I had thought I was walking into was a trashy watch with gratuitous sex talk and some drama, but what I'm experiencing is a lot of emotional discord as the story swings between extremes while refusing to balance itself out. There is no middle ground in this show. I will continue to be petty about this watch, but I get it now in a way I was never going to grasp without watching one of her series and I'm graciously realizing I would not have survived TharnType because even as Prapai connects the dots that something *very bad* has happened to Sky based on his interactions with Sky, he smiles because . . . well, because.

So even though Sky and Prapai's arc is smaller than the first, my watch is going to be in three parts instead of just two because . . . well, because.

~Let's continue~

I'm going to try really hard to give Slytherin points here, *grinds teeth* so even though this man is stalking Sky, he gets credit for showing up, which according to the great philosophers, is half the battle. Also, I know his lapel pins are important, so the sunflower and the bee after he gave Sky meaningful sunflowers is a nice sentimental touch, but he gets no points because HE COULD'VE OFFERED THE BOY A RIDE! The perfect pitch was right there, yet he swings and misses.

I don't listen to true crime podcasts, but I feel confident that most cases start with a stalker using several devices to contact their victim after his primary mean is blocked. Basically, I need Prapai to do as Sky's shirt says and "CHILL THE FUCK OUT!" I'm trying to give him points but he refuses to exhibit any level of chill. None. No chill. Not ice cube. Just sad hot puddle of zero chills.

I felt *something* between Sig and Som when they were arguing across the tables in episode seven, but now I know Sig is trying to instigate a fight with Som just so he can have that boy's hands around his neck. I respect it.

Sky is having a breakdown because of the onslaught of texts Prapai keeps sending him from multiple devices and as he huddles in the fetal position begging to be left alone having bursts of anger, the phone begins to vibrate signaling more texts are coming through. The director, Ne, also served as an editor on Only Friends, and if he whispered in Jojo's ears to make Ray's bathtub scene just as gut-wrenching as this, I just wanna eat some soup with Ne and know like "You good, boo?"

I am fighting for my life in these trenches!

Rain picked up Sky's phone and told Prapai to come to the hospital. Rain? Rain who was on his knees begging for Sky's forgiveness after he gave Sky's number to Prapai? As in the Rain who was told to stay out of Sky's business? Like the same Rain who Sky looked in his face and told him he would never be with Prapai? THE RAIN WHO IS NOW GIVING PRAPAI THE KEY TO SKY'S APARTMENT?! That Rain?!

"I made a promise to Rain" - Pero like . . . why do you have to make promises to not fuck with unconscious and sick people? Cause shouldn't that be a given? No? Mmm. Interesting development.

I have only watched two episodes. TWO! I'm not even halfway through this AND I know how this ends. No amount of knowledge or spoilers has properly prepared me for this journey, and now I'm scared and I want my mom to come pick me up.

But here I am. Clicking on the next episode.

pinche cabrón

[jebewonmorelike]

The Drag Race Debate

wc: 600 (exactly! wut) pronouns: n/a; none used warnings: angsty but it's so not serious; mention of the word s*men; fluff summary: please do not fight with sung hanbin about drag race (unless you're ready for an overload of cute and sass) ~masterlist~ ♡ ~kofi (no pressure at all)~ guys hi! this one is so silly goofy, but i just KNOW hanbin gets heated about drag race. i just know. anyway, i hope mother always mothers. enjoy :)

"I just don't get why you like Ben de la Creme more than Jinkx Monsoon. Jinkx is such a great singer. She has more versatility," Hanbin says, rolling his eyes at you from across the room.

It was a lazy, Sunday morning and you and your boyfriend were re-watching Season 6 of Drag Race. Though you and Hanbin both loved the show, you often found yourselves disagreeing over your favorite queens. Just last week, while rewatching Season 5 (the best season), you'd gotten into a little argument about whether or not Rolaskatox deserved the hype they got. It ended with Hanbin accidentally knocking a glass off the counter while he was so earnestly attempting to demonstrate his point, followed by a delicious "apology" dinner from KFC on him.

Hanbin was always the one who got more heated, his passion for the subject matter undyingly evident. But to be honest, you found it so damn cute.

How his cheeks would redden, the new dynamics of his voice, the little stomps of his feet in frustration when he couldn't think of a rebuttal right away...

Were you winding him up on purpose? No, definitely not. But once you stumbled into a good-natured debate, you weren't scrambling to end it.

Now, as you watched Hanbin sprawled across the couch from where you were cleaning the dishes from breakfast, you just can't help but smile at how his demeanor has already shifted. "Ben might not have the voice, but you know she has the better comedic chops."

His eyebrows shoot through the roof as he sits up to stare at you incredulously. "Judy Garland Snatch Game!? Delusion: Convince Yourself!? MICHELLE VISAGE IS SO FULL OF SEMEN-- PERIOD!?"

You nod, loading the last dish into the dishwasher. "All great moments, yes. But who won five straight challenges in a row in All Stars and then so graciously self-eliminated just to prove a point?"

The laugh that comes out of Hanbin is dripping with annoyance. "Actually, she won FOUR straight challenges. And why would self-eliminating be an honorable thing!? Was she taking any of it seriously!?"

You shrug, walking over to your boyfriend and perching on the arm of the sofa next to him. "Even more impressive that she could win without putting in any effort."

"No! It's not! It was rude to Ru and it was patronizing to the other contestants," he says with a huff, turning his back towards you.

"You're right, I didn't think about how much stress that would add to Mother Ru's life. She's so busy with the fracking and all..."

Hanbin whips back around at an almost alarming speed. "TAKE. THAT. BACK! Now you're disrespecting Mother Ru?"

Your boyfriend is absolutely seething at this point and it only makes him cuter. Resting your chin in your hands, you bat your eyelashes cutely at him. "Binnie, shouldn't you be living by your favorite's motto right now? Water off a duck's back, remember?"

Hanbin clicks his tongue at you, shaking his head in what appears to be disappointment but you can see the remorseful pout start to from on his lips. He sighs, visibly returning back to his calmer self. "Why do I hang out with you again?"

Your hand finds its way to the back of your boyfriend's adorable head, running your fingers through his hair as you pretend to ponder the question before reaching the obvious conclusion. "Because you're hopelessly in love with me?"

A reluctant, smile-line producing grin stretches across his face as he outstretches both of his arms, signalling for you to climb into his embrace. "How could I ever forget?"

[qnewsau]

Lazy Susan feels immense responsibility with Drag Race Down Under win

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/immense-responsibility-lazy-susan/

Lazy Susan feels immense responsibility with Drag Race Down Under win

It’s been a few days since Lazy Susan was crowned the next Drag Race Down Under Superstar, she joined QNews for a chat after a big weekend celebrating.

Friday night saw Lazy Susan crowned Down Under’s next drag superstar at the finale screening at Universal in Sydney.

Still Monday morning Lazy was dragged up and ready to share the experience with the crown held high.

“I won’t lie, I’m still reeling and shocked by the entire thing.” Lazy told us,

“I don’t think I’ve had the opportunity to properly sit in this and appreciate the fact that this has actually happened.

“It is because it’s beyond my expectations.”

A creative force during season four of Drag Race Down Under, Lazy brought epic moments to the Runway.

But her creativity is no stranger to those who have been watching her do her thing for years in person and online.

This win sets a different bar for what it means to be a drag performer and succeed in your community and the franchise.

Image: Supplied

A new (and different) supreme rises

Lazy doesn’t have a weekly gig at a venue.

Lazy isn’t the best dancer.

Lazy’s win opens the reality of the diversity of the drag world for everyone.

“To any drag queens out there who don’t have regular gigs or are not featured at your local drag bar, there’s no shame in starting your own events.”

“Some of the best queer events started in the back of like a random bookshop,” she said,

“You need to pretend like you’re already famous and create events for yourself.”

“I am so proud of the career that we’ve managed to eke out.”

When Lazy said ‘we’ she meant her drag crew The Beastie Girls.

Originally Lazy, Zelda Moon and Benign Girl, now Lazy and Zelda continue to do drag their way.

“What we managed to eke out without ever being the main stage divas at any gay club, I think it’s so cool.”

With Lazy in Sydney for the finale screening, Benign Girl and Zelda Moon hosted her episode screening on Friday night.

What ensued were videos and photos all over socials of the community celebrating and taking to Smith St in honour of Lazy.

“I truly can’t deal with the videos,” Lazy said,

“People were on bicycles and in the street with flags, it was crazy, but also very heartwarming.

“Melbourne treasures its drag queens in such a fabulous way.

“They know the lore of each of their drag queens.

We’re not furniture or entertainment that you have on in the background.

“People are so invested in the drag in Melbourne, I felt that like so intensely in how they celebrated my win.

“Melbourne is just unlike any other city for that specific weirdness.”

Long may she reign

Lazy admits it was still a whirlwind when her name was finally announced by Michelle Visage as the winner of the season.

“I like it feels like a blur now because I remember the moment before, reaching down and grabbing Vibe’s hand”

“I was squeezing it so hard and we were both just there, holding that moment.

“Finally, after a year of work and craziness, we were about to get the answer to the question that had, hung over our heads since we’d come home.

“And we knew it was going to be an emotional moment because people were losing and people winning, it’s terrifying.

“I think it just took me a second to get my footing and find something to say.

“Still today it feels crazy because immediately you feel like you’ve just robbed your friends of something fabulous.

“Now feel this immense responsibility to try and make it worth it.

“To make it a worthy win in what I’m able to to do. Kind of going forward with my reign of terror.”

But what will the new Drag Race Down Under Winners reign look like?

“I want to combine my love of filmmaking with my love of drag.” Lazy said,

“If anyone’s been watching any of my Instagram throughout the competition, that’s kind of my soft launch into what I want to be doing.”

“I want to get drag queens on screen and in the narrative.

“I want to start working on some of those projects which you will hopefully see in the coming year.”

Congratulations on your win Lazy Susan, we can’t wait to see what the next step in your drag journey looks like.

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For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

[fangirlshrewt97]

D20 - Dungeons and Drag Queens Ep 1 Notes

Hey @lurkerviolin,

My notes ran too long so I thought I’d post it as a text post 😅. I do realize some of these are incoherent, and lacking my usual amount of emojis but I typed it in my laptop instead of phone so...

Also I think i kept switching up all their pronouns cause I wasn’t sure which was the right one? 😅😅

Anyways here we go:

This theme song is already so chaotic lol

God still so strange to see Brennan all made up, but he looks great

It's so nice to see how the Queens are all so engaged. Brennan is radiating such incredible Storyteller energy right now, it's amazing.

Lololol oh no Monet! "We have someone who works in identity theft" lol

Jujubee is so entranced as Brennan is describing Everdeep. Mood.

Oh my gosh the Queens are so funny. The riffing about the gem's origins.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR WITCHES!

Hmm yeah she did talk to her own mother like that ...

The way it was written by Tuna Turner! I don't know how much the Dropout people asked the Queens to lean on puns but they are doing amazing. Bob especially is SO into it.

The growl from Alaska lol

Hmm, has Bob played before? They seem more accustomed to the game play.

Ok yeah I think Bob might be my favorite so far

Jujubee is a close second, they are so enthusiastic but so lost. It's endearing. "We went to Cher's last first concert to gether." lolol

Cause they're an inch from 5' feet lolololol oh my gooood.

These interjections are such a gift. They just make the story so much funnier

Lieutenant Alvin the chipmunk lol cute!!

Jujubee forcing Brennan to narrate as Alvin was such a Mood. Yes, make him work!

Zaria Hex: Beware her death drop *I snorted, oh my god, ingenious*

SHE ATE THE SEED LOLOLOLOL

"9.30" "Yeah, it's late for you Grandma" lol

Alaska's growling accent is an excellent character choice

Bob entering the bar and immediately describing what they are seeing, are we sure they are completely new to this?

Oh my god I love Kashra, look at that build!

Daggy is also really handsomely designed.

Makes sense for the two fighters to be able to down the drink no problem.

Aww two nat ones

"If your perception's a one, that means you are delusional" lol

Oh my god Jujubee is too cute, with how often they get confused.

A racotour is when you contour with a rat LOLOLOL

"Oh, he's a pimp"

This is a greatseason for newcomers to DnD. Brennan is such a good teacher

Bump is kinky! LOL

Gertrude is so clever. I love how quickly Bob and Monet understood the concept of the game.

A 24?! She is going to pulvarize him!

Lololol, just so you know when you turn 36 yourknees know when it's going to rain.

Idk who Michelle visage it, but I like how Jujubee says Brennan. Yeah he may be the DM guiding them in the adventure, but to them, he's also like a younger kid/brother-type.

I remember Raphaniel casting Detect thoughts in Ep 1 of the ravening war and just getting blasted with horny thoughts lol

"Twyla! Don't look around! Don't freak out!

Oooh Wallace... I like that idea, yeah his clasp is a different colour cause he's an undead pretending not to be. Solid guess.

Oh damn they went from initiative to beast assault. Zero to 60 indeed.

A Cat Tree??? So out of left field. God, you got to love first time players just doing the wildest moves.

Amazing Grapple. Like a To-Go container.

It's probbaly Swallace, drop the 'S', no one will know . LOLOL

This Mark Ronson gag is also so funny.

Cousin KK, incredible.

Ooh, Brennan is so good about tying far flung stories together.

Aww Jujubee really liking Brennan'sflowery descriptions! Cute.

I really like how Brenan incorporates all their random additions into his narrative. As a DM, really letting the players's additions become part of his world. It's very kind.

Lol, the caption for the guardian being "Stoned for days, Darling". All these taglines are so clever!

Oh my god, the camera jumping back and forth between Monet and Jujubee instead of Brennan as he is trying to do a play. Far more entertaining, good call Director/editor

Alaska's voice for Princess is so fitting and so funny.

"Just straight up the same one?" Judgey much, stone guy?

Brennan is so good with descriptions of what is happening.

OOOOH They look so into it in the next episode. This looks like a cool side quest, can't see what comes next.

[winderlylandchime]

There has been a development in his opinions about the Pink Posse storyline.

He walked into the living room and went ‘i was up all night thinking about the Pink Pus-Posse thing. And i have several thoughts and even more disappointments…..so far but that’s to be shared when i see how bad it goes…i have zero faith’ he thought it out and came up with two different versions of his own opinion because and i quote ‘one is for serious and one is for shits and giggles because how can i take them seriously?‘ and in order to explain it to me he DREW STICK FIGURES. So please bare with me while i try to explain this shit. The “serious” opinion drawing is two stick figures representing britin and theyre standing close together with a heart above their heads. And then the Justin stick figure has two thinking bubbles, one is britin kissing and the other one is a stick figure Justin and a baseball bat. And Brians stick figure only has 1 bubble that’s like split in middle and it’s Justin and a baseball bat(Basically same as Justins) and Cody and Justin. And then on a bit further from them is another stick figure thats cody and his thinking bubble is bunch of stick figures with Xs as their eyes. Clearly I am related to picasso. And basically his opinion is that Justin is split between being free and happy and gay and between anger and revenge. And he has to decide between cody and brian(except he thinks it could be another ethan type plot). Meanwhile Brian only thinks this will lead to the prom scene again. And in fact he thinks thats what they might do in the season: hurt justin on a patrol and Brian freaks and then gives him an ultimatum for the first time and that leads to the i love you (you gotta give it to him, he’s persistent with the i love you), he also fully thinks Brian and Cody will meet and have a confrontation (which ngl now i am suddenly wishing we had that bc his reenactment of what he thinks will happen was entertaining). i was actually impressed by this bc so far he has taken the posse plot only half serious which i get. Even tho i was confused about the drawing but he said that at 3 am this is the only way he could make sense. Now the unserious version is a drawing that is basically a reenactment of Drag Race. Brian is in the middle instead of Ru and he has Daphne and Jen on each side and they are making fun of a stick figure Cody. Jokes about the buzzcuts and the pink shirts are written in little speech bubbles.

I now really wish the unserious opinion/drawing came to life because it would be a dream. Daphne, Jen and Brian just roasting anybody would be funny as fuck. Even if it’d be Justin

WOW! Your Brother is basically writing fanfiction (gap filler, Pink Posse arc) right now. I think the serious version could be an amazing fic - Brian confront Cody during the arc.

Also, I am DYING LAUGHING because if Brian is Ru and Daphne and Jen are on either side, that means one of them is Michelle Visage and the other is the-hilarious-Ross-Matthews or style-super-star-Carson Kressley. And I am living for this. And it makes me want to abandon middle-aged exes-to-lovers and write my RPDR/QAF crossover fic.

(I won’t abandon it, but it does bump drag race au up on the list of what I want to write next)

[waterforlorn]

@tiredanvilandmace; ...you asked for this ...so... yeah... i shall not be blamed

did he piss on a sacred tree? did he stomp on a snail without noticing? did he fuckin' do something to upset the gods?

because fuck if the quests lately didn't feel ridiculously one-sided, like someone had already written their story & lev was caught amidst the pages, trying very frantically to read ahead to save those he cared for. what good was he when he couldn't even do that? the one thing he decided to dedicate his life to.

the list .. was ever-growing. michele & jericho ripped from them behind their backs, kit & greyson vanished without a word - lev knew that didn't ...no, it couldn't mean anything good. both ... had surely secured a little corner of his heart & not knowing where they were - or if they even were alive was slowly, but surely taking its toll on the former soldier. to top that off, they failed rescuing london & miles, too. should they have fought? could they have won? lev had been against leaving london behind, he'd never let a comrade behind before, but ... he'd been outvoted .. again. even zayn had stung, he'd set out to help & got lost along the way, only for them to return empty-handed.

every time they left camp to chase another fairytale, lev felt his heart sink, felt dredge & anxiety creep up his spine in an attempt sink their fangs into his neck & mess with his performance in fights & ... he wasn't sure if it succeeded or not, although he felt he'd done decent. decent wasn't good. he could've done better. if he stopped at decent he wouldn't be here & yet he wondered .. what else could he possibly do? when he already trained most of the day, what ... could he do? how could he improve? how could he protect those he cared for?

again.

not strong enough.

not fast enough.

⸺ weak.

he mulled it over endless times, had tried to piece together how exactly that fight could've been handled better, but .. he didn't know. they'd taken down ulrik rather quickly, had kept kira at bay for most of that, but when she joined the fight... it all happened so fast. the focus was obvious early on, clear as day even to a mind less sharp than his - if that was even possible & lev had spent every drop of his inhuman sweat to aid the forge's greatest keeper & yet it hadn't been enough. lev didn't hit hard enough, he didn't move fast enough, his shield wasn't strong enough. he'd failed again.

having to watch hephaestus' son struggle to even stand on his own two legs & being unable to help... helplessness & hopelessness had taken over to drain him. the sunken-in face would haunt him until the end of his days - although he reckoned he didn't have too many of those left anyway. the way his clothes had seemed like someone put an adult's clothes on a child - oversized when once upon a time nico had filled them to the brim. he'd had to watch him decay right in front of him & seemingly nothing he did helped. talk about feeling helpless.

magic exhausted - especially because lev still struggled with using it in the first place, the only option he'd seen was attack. not too uncommon a choice for lev - at least not to those who knew his true visage, which... he'd been quite determined to hide from camp. could his bloodlust-fueled rage aid them in their endeavors? likely. but once he opened that door... closing it again would require time. time they tended not to have unless he planned to skip town camp until he was stable enough to betake himself back into the presence of the others.

nico's damn near croak of a request had been the last straw. feeling the blacksmith's power flood his system had opened himself up to the monster living within him & so lev went for the kill.

"get the fuck outta here."

but he'd underestimated the damage down to him, had seemingly been too blinded by rage & fear to see that nico ... was not going anywhere - not without help. would he ever know if that decision was right? no. but ... he knew he should've picked the blacksmith up & he should've ran. they had the fairy, they had no reason to keep fighting. but they did. they'd been foolish to let it go this far, but then again ... lev couldn't say he'd ever witnessed magic like kira's. he'd had no idea what it would do in the long run - if it was permanent or just fleeting. all he'd known was .. that nico looked dead on his feet.

together they took the necromancer down - both of them & for a short while, when lev's spear broke through the tender flesh of her thigh, feeling the slosh & crunch of bone & meat reverberate through his spear... god, he didn't think he'd ever felt this good. as satisfaction flooded his body, endorphins singing high praise to his skill in that moment & lev, eager to dip his hands in blood again chose to end kira as she deserved. she came for his heart, he might as well take hers.

"don't. touch. what's. mine."

was nico his? fuck if he knew, but it felt like the right thing to say, because ... he wanted him to be. did he, though? or was that just fear speaking? the fear of never getting to find out what it was he truly wanted. how could he tell the difference? when their eyes met again & lev found himself watching her face distort into a crooked version of a smile ... he did halt - the pike of his spear hovering her ribcage, breaking skin as he pondered, but how else to break the spell?

⸺ how else could he save his heart?

negotiations with himself were always one-sided. where reason should take hold, rage & anger prevailed - common sense a faint memory. oh, he'd wished for luck, had sent a silent prayer his father's way. those fives seconds between her cryptic threat & the moment his spear's blade forced its way into her ribcage & heart - sweat pooling on his forehead with the sheer effort it took to overcome the resistance of her body's defenses... that moment of pure bliss.

oh, it didn't last.

her body melted, shimmered & lev would've proclaimed the sight beautiful if not for the explosion that followed. being closest to the source, he saw it first, saw the glow intensify & he knew something was wrong.

"...and i'm taking one of you along."

no. no fuckin' way. light on his feet despite the heavy armor, lev spun around, barging back towards the dumbass of a man the others called his boyfriend (they were far from boys, though - weren't they?), bringing himself between the son of the forge & the blast from the explosion, but he can see it hit him nonetheless. maybe... not as ....hard? could he ... was he... could he ... hope? hope was dangerous. after he came to again, having taken substantial damage himself, his body ... not quite his own anymore - he ... had to ... it was... aj had come to sit by his friend, nudging his leg, soft noises sounding on the otherwise silent battlefield.

he wasn't moving.

well done, number eight.

lev couldn't even recall who said it out loud, he couldn't even remember the words, all he could focus on was the lifeless body in front of him - battered & broken. those beautiful scotch-glazed hues he could lose himself in dark - the usual shine gone, lost to the underworld & it wasn't until storm rested her head against the side of his that lev realized what had just happened.

nico died.

he killed him.

fuckin' fitting. the one good thing in that dumpster fire of a life he called his own & he killed it. maybe he deserved it. maybe he wasn't supposed to experience happiness, maybe he wasn't meant to escape the darkness within him - maybe he was meant to drown in it & returning to camp - if for noble reasons, had been in vain.

they say fear doesn't shut you down, no - it wakes you up.

lev ... wasn't awake when he crawled over to him - nico had collapsed only an arm's length from him, arms that had lost girth for sure, though that was the least of lev's concerns right now.... arms carefully wrapped around the forge's child, pulled his limp body against his chest to hold him ...one last time.

why? what the fuck did he do? why couldn't it have been him?

running from emotional commitment for his entire life, lev never thought he'd find himself cradling a corpse to his chest, rocking on on his knees with actual tears glistening on his cheeks. butterfly effect. one tear led to another & his chest closed up - as did the muscles in his body in a very feeble attempt to hold back an ...impending inevitable sob. a lifetime of suppressed sorrow & hurt breaking free - against his will & there was absolutely nothing he could do about it. he tried. he couldn't believe it, couldn't fathom what just happened.

don't go, please. nico, you stupid fuckin' idiot, come back. i'm gonna let you work on your stupid toys till it's my turn, i promise. please, open your goddamn eyes. nico.

dad?

please, dad. get off your fuckin' high horse & do something. i think i love him. please don't let them take him. do something fuckin' useful for once in your shitty life. please.

did he care they were the center of attention most likely? not really. he .. couldn't even tell how long it took. he couldn't ... really remember, he just remembered calming down, sitting back on his haunches with the dumbass still in his arms, trying to wrap his head around what just happened, which was when he sucked in the biggest fuckin' breath ever. out of nowhere.

tears had dried by the time nico seemed to understand where he was, so lev.... loosened his grip a little. but not much. "you're so fuckin' stupid." forehead against the other's. he was cold & lev could swear nico still smelled like death, but he was breathing. everything else... they could fix. they'd find a way. it didn't matter. "don't you dare doin' that again." he'd kill him & then himself so he could haunt him through the underworld. lev wasn't afraid of death, if ... listening to his survival instinct more often than not.

"home."

[lightblueminecraftorchid]

TW: discussions of body image/eating disorders/fat shaming/etc. Rant under the cut. This is about drag and body image as it pertains to Drag Race in the United States.

Thinking about Drag Race in the US. 16 seasons of Drag Race, 7 seasons of All Stars (excluding winners’ seasons), however many Vs The World seasons, and there has *never* been a winner that isn’t skinny.

Oh, some competitors get close. Supposedly, drag is open to all body shapes and sizes (with the right padding and shape wear and makeup). Supposedly, no matter your body, you can shapeshift into something beautiful. Over and over and over again, Drag Race has competitors who pride themselves on being “big girls”; people who grew up fatshamed, but turned it into their brand. Many of these queens are incredibly skilled performers, artists, and entertainers. And yet.

And yet.

Somehow, when the judging gets close, the fat queen usually gets cut.

I think about RuPaul’s background before Drag Race, as a runway model. How the Tic Tac Chit Chat is a running joke; “oh, RuPaul can’t finish a tic tac”. How many queens on the show are *frighteningly* skinny, and this is seen as a compliment. Producers will stitch together storylines of queens recovering from eating disorders, and in the same breath, cut to RuPaul and Michelle Visage complimenting a queen on how small her waist is in that corset.

I think about how many of these queens have had plastic surgery. At least one a season, usually more. How queens will come back for All Stars and I can no longer recognize them, not because they’re painting differently, but because their faces have entirely changed shape in the past few years. Hollower cheeks. Larger lips. Shaved jaws. Cutting and slicing for some proportion that makes them look slimmer and more feminine. How Morphine won the finale Lalaparuza Smackdown, with a $50,000 prize, and excitedly told the camera how she was going to “invest in her body”. “You get a BBL, you get a BBL, everybody gets a BBL!”.

Some of that is gender-affirming surgery, or other medically necessary surgeries. Detox got reconstructive surgery after a car crash, for example. A lot of it… isn’t. A lot of it is an “investment”. Part of the job.

I think about how a queen walked a runway with a look critiquing plastic surgery, all nude illusion and dashed lines, carving away at her waist and hips and butt. How Michelle Visage called it “overdone”. So many queens have talked about that already. It’s not new. It’s old news. Step up your game and talk about something more compelling.

16 years and not a single fat queen has won.

My friend and I aren’t watching seasons in order, but rather by how much they like a particular season. We’re working through season 7 right now. Violet Chotchki wins that one (sorry for spoilers). Violet also spends the entire season focused on emphasizing her body. How young she is. How skinny she is. Look, her “Death Becomes Her” runway is just her in the tightest corset possible, with an IV drip stuck into her arm. Cinched to death. The judges coo at how her waist is *so* small-

How many queens have come onto this show and bragged about losing 50 pounds? How many queens come back for All Stars, gleeful that they’re not a “big queen” anymore? Just “thick and juicy”, just “don’t need any padding”. You can have fat… as long as it’s in the butt or breasts and looks sexy enough. Otherwise it’s a hurdle to cry about in the cutaways. You can be as fat as you want on this show, sure, but if you lose weight you’ll get a camera in your face talking about how much “healthier” you are.

I think about how fashion runways are infinitely, horrifically worse. How most of these winners would, should they walk the runway, be put into a boring pencil skirt in the “plus size” category. They should be so lucky.

I think about Latrice. I think about Ginger Minj. I think about Eureka. I think about Mistress. I think about Megami in the Lalaparuza Smackdown. All these queens that get *so fucking close*. But some little thing-

Some intangible, unnameable thing-

Some unspoken qualia just barely makes their slim competitor stand out enough to take the crown.

I love drag. I really enjoy watching Drag Race. It’s a pocket of explicitly queer media I don’t get to see much of anywhere else. Disabled queens have won multiple seasons. People of color have won multiple seasons. Trans people have won multiple seasons. Just this year, the first East Asian queen won Drag Race in the US. Drag Race is incredibly inclusive to people from all backgrounds who are talented artists showing off their skills-

RuPaul makes another joke about skipping meals and getting surgery to maintain a queen’s “girl body”.

I turn the TV off.

[ojodeneptuna]

goodbye Virgo season,

it’s been clarifying

•just Virgo things•

1) It’s interesting to think of Virgo through its essential existencial axis, Pisces; the wonder of reading exists for example, as a result of the forever-intertwined interaction between these two signs. Language itself and reading, understood as the mental translation of symbols to language, it’s a fascinating Mercurial manifestation. It is necessary to go through the diverse phases of learning how to work this translation out into our daily communication habits, before being able to truly connect with literature, which I believe works actively with imagination (ah yes, the Neptunian quality of it 👌🏼). It’s crazy to think (emotion coming from a Pisces ofc), how one of modern’s daily communicative obligations consists on the act of reading, but it’s only when we’ve truly dominated this when we can actually understand the channel it truly is, when it wakes up that little fantasy-moving motor in our heads which works between logics of the real world, and the one which can contradict it. The domination process, is very mucho the Virgo experience. Food for thought. Reading, from a literary point of view, quite literally makes us hallucinate new possible worlds and stories that would often wake this compassionate side of us, or this illusive (and yes delulu) side of us, which kinda’ makes the world go round. Where else would we escape to in order to get out of our daily routine? which usually responds to the Mercurial necessity of just basic reading.

2) Did you know KimK is ruled by her Virgo Jupiter which is exact ☌ her Midheaven at 28°? (this basically explains why she mainly got ridiculously famous bc of her family’s -especially her mom’s- dealings on a private experience of hers), and that she is a Virgo Venus’ ruled Libra? (on her 9th; an international beauty for sure). we can say a lot of things about her, and this astrologically fascinating yet controversial photoshoot, but we can’t say she hasn’t also worked her ass off for the reputation she now holds, the one of a very perfect looking lady.

3) Did you know Virgo rules chess?

4) also pets and small animals :)

5) THE virgo moodboard

6) MJ was a Virgo ofc, a truly fascinating one cause he was a also a Pisces moon and rising, meaning he worked actively through his whole life with this axis. he did have very interesting ideas about purity and a very mysterious and uncertain health condition 🤔

Diane and Wilt are sooo Virgo if you ask me.

7) Virgo rules critics. Michelle Visage is a Virgo sun a moon that’s no exception +she totally resembles Madonna and always looks perfect. It also rules boardgames that imply critical thinking such as chess, puzzles, dominoes, etc.

8) I will not elaborate on this one. It’s clear.

9) ♍︎ rules ants and humbling experiences; the ant meme is Virgo’s biggest, most satirically accurately funny manifestation of its energy if you ask me 🤭

10) Rory Gilmore’s such a Virgo 🤍

The sixth astrological house is related to Virgo since it is the house of health, fitness, systems, analysis, pets, work and organization habits, and of our sense of usefulness and service given.

The house of discipline.

Who would’ve thought the act of reading these mashed-up memes also required the Virgo-Pisces/Mercury-Neptune presence of it all explained in description no.1? Maybe just a Virgo.

[artificialgrinder]

DRAG OR DIE: Sneak Peek #2

Book 1 Chapter 2: In which Adore chases down one of the most notorious Drag Queen outlaws, Bob the Drag Queen. For what reason? - To promote her mixtape of course. Oh, Adore...

Adore ran, kicking the dirt behind her, panting, grunting, gasping for air. Sweat dripped down her face under the harsh sun rays, and her makeup would soon be ruined. Bianca was going to read her to filth for it.

There are more important things to worry about right now, bitch, Adore thought to herself as she ran towards the van parked outside the old drug store. But she found herself stopping, hesitating as it began to move. It started to pull away from the store, moving in the opposite direction of her. Her heart clenched. But her feet began to move again.

"Hey!" She roared, louder than she ever had before. 

The van stopped abruptly. 

Adore could have died upon getting closer. This was it. This was her chance to achieve her one and only dream.

She stopped running but continued moving toward the vehicle in spite of her anxiety. 

The passenger door opened, and Adore's eyes were already adjusted on the woman getting out. She had long dark hair and was painted like a queen. This could only be Michelle Visage. The Michelle Visage.

Adore's attention drew to the back door opening next. Inside were a couple of figures who she could barely make out, but out stepped a queen with a long brown weave, practically charging at her. Adore couldn't believe her eyes. This was Bob the Drag Queen. The one from the radio. The one she always wanted to meet. And she was just as fierce as she sounded. 

Adore took a step towards Bob. "Hi! I'm - -"

"Not so close!" Bob snapped, pointing a pistol at her. "Who are you, and why are you chasing after us like a lunatic?"

Adore's hands were at level with her head now, eyes wide as she stood in shock. "Woah, I just wanted to ask a favor. My name's Adore."

"You aren't one of them? Playing the beloved fan so you can kill us later?" Bob raised a brow, the gun still pointing at Adore.

"What? No! I'm one of you, I swear." Adore pleaded.

Bob kept her eyes on Adore carefully. Michelle took the opportunity to step in, putting a hand on Bob’s shoulder.

"Let's just see what she wants and then judge her, shall we?" Michelle proposed.

Bob was silent for a few more seconds before lowering the gun. "Okay, Adore. How may we help you? And make it quick. I got a show to host."

"Oh shit. Okay." Adore's eyes widened with excitement as she remembered her quest. She removed her backpack, placing it on the ground. Bob's eyes were watching her every move. Adore sighed, bending down to open the bag, "Calm down, man. It's not like I got a bomb in here or something. Maybe a gun, but only for my protection."

Adore missed the breath of a laugh from Michelle and pulled a CD from her bag. Standing back up, she handed it to Bob. "I know you probably get this a lot, but I was wondering if you could please play some of these on the show."

Bob looked at the case to see no cover. 'My Songs :)' was written on the disc. "What is it? A ‘favourite songs’ playlist?"

"No. It’s my own music. I recorded some back in the day. There's a song list on the back. I recommend Take me There. Or Dynamite. But whatever you want, man." Adore rambled. She fidgeted with the hands of her flannel that hung around her waist.

Bob's face softened, letting out a laugh. Michelle was now looking over the queen's shoulder to see the CD. "You really chased us down just so we could play your music? Are you crazy, girl?"

Adore felt more at ease when Bob's tone lifted. "I-I've just always wanted to hear my own shit playing on the radio. Not gonna lie; I feel like I'm ready to shit myself right now. I just can't believe this is happening."

Adore was just so full of life, catching Bob's attention again. The queen passed the CD to Michelle as she approached Adore.

"That's funny." Bob laughed, throwing an arm around Adore's shoulders. "You know what? You seem like a good kid. And here I thought you were some crazy-ass hitchhiker."

"Crazy-ass hitchhiker. I love it." Adore spoke, dragging out the last word.

"Well, I hope your stuff is good. 'Cause...if it isn't...and there are complaints from listeners..."

Adore felt the hairs on her neck stand as Bob raised the gun again. She gulped nervously, eyeing the weapon. "O-Okay, I'm sorry in advance if - -"

Bob stood back and cackled, leaving Adore confused. "I'm just fucking with you, girl. Jesus, don’t be so gullible. I'm sure your stuff is good."

Adore could have pissed herself with relief.

Michelle approached the two queens, holding a small package. "I left your CD with the other girls. What did you say your name was, honey?"

"Adore. Adore Delano." Adore smiled sweetly.

"I love it," Michelle noted. She held the package out to Adore, the queens brows crossing in confusion. "Just some things to keep you going. Is it just you?"

"No. There's also Bianca, Dela, Manila, Raja, and Ginger." Adore beamed, graciously taking the package. "Oh! And Bette and Joan. They're my sharks."

Michelle nodded, taking in the statement. "Uh, huh. Well, I hope this is enough for all of you."

[a-little-gay-identity-crisis]

I love this season so goddamn much. We all know this. 

But the roasts are always my favorite, and the challenge that I would most like to do. 

Seeing as I will never be blessed enough to work with any of these talented people, I wrote my own roast set. 

Jaida, jaida, jaida. You always say “Look Over There!” But baby, only one eye moves at a time. 

The Vivienne. You say you take your fashion inspiration from luxury. I think it’s actually from Britain. More specifically, the loo. 

If viv and trinity fucked and had a baby, it would be a goddamn off brand brats doll. 

Trinity the truck isn’t the right nickname. This bitch is so full of semen she should change her name to Trinity the Truck Stop Michelle Visage Got Famous At. 

Raja thinks she’s such a fashion diva but bitch did you win either sewing challenge? Or ever get tooted on fashion photo review? No, but you won a lip sync against Jinkx. Whoop de fucking do. Oh wait….

Its so hard to roast Jinkx, because I’m so goddamn attracted to her. But I respect that she’s married. So let's just call this a spit roast for now. 

And no that’s not just a weight joke but Jinkx could crush me with them damn thighs shit

Jinkx monsoon is such a fucking gremlin that if you feed her pb and j past midnight, she’ll go so absolutely batshit that the judges will be too scared to stop her from winning everything

Jinkx monsoon is such a middle aged lesbian that whenever Rodger says something about her goddamn Sauvignon Blanc she’s already at the box wine section at Whole Foods

Jinkx monsoon is such a milf that she has a cult of little queers ollowing her every word which would be creepy if… no it’s just creepy

Speaking of creepy… hello Yvie. I don’t want to talk about your dick because dicks are gross. But if your dad ever asks, I’ll be straight for him. 

Yvie says she’s a top. I say she’s a bitch ass liar.  If that were true, she’d have been reported for abuse by now because no one would be able to walk

You know, I actually listen to her music a lot. Every time a song ends, I’m so happy. Because whatever I’m going through at the time seems so under control compared to whatever the fuck that god awful racket was. 

Monet x change’s name sounds so rich and luxurious, but when you look at that ass and think for a little bit you realize she’s just a hooker. 

Last place- I mean last on my list is miss shady coulady. Shea, you are just so damn gorgeous I can’t even stand to look at you. Or maybe it’s just because your skin is so shiny it’s blinding me. Or maybe it’s just your beautiful smile. Goddamn it, I can’t roast you, so PLEASE JUST DESTROY ME. PLEASE

Thank you if you’ve read my shit this far because I know it’s not funny, but I’m so depressed it cracks me the hell up. You know what they say, if you can’t roast yourself, how the hell you got roast someone else.

[qnewsau]

Is Drag Race Down Under's curse broken with season 4?

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/is-drag-race-down-unders-curse-broken-with-season-4/

Is Drag Race Down Under's curse broken with season 4?

-Drag Race Down Under has never gotten the love it deserves in the Drag Race franchise family, but has season 4 changed that?

Season 4 of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under topped Stan Australia’s “Most Watched” list when it launched.

After today’s episode half the queens will have been eliminated, and there will be two episodes to go. So why has season 4 been kicking goals?

Since its launch in 2021, something has always felt not quite right about Drag Race Down Under.

We launched with a stellar cast of legendary performers, but something was off.

We may not have the big budget others have, but that’s not been the problem.

It’s almost as if something’s been lost in translation.

Other non-English speaking franchises celebrate their drag culture with uniqueness and pride. So why does it feel like we are always missing the mark?

Between Australia and New Zealand, we have a host of talented drag performers who deserve to shine.

So why is Drag Race Down Under always the butt of the joke?

“I didn’t even finish one season [of Down Under],” Bob the Drag Queen told Pride.

“I’m not gonna lie to you. I’m not excited. But I will get around to watching Down Under and reviewing episode one.

Mum the Drag Queen, who co-produces recap show Kick Ons, said, “The response to season one of Down Under wasn’t what it should have been.

“There wasn’t the love or appreciation of down under drag.”

Drag Race Down Under Cast Season 1-4

Blame it on the edit?

There’s no denying that something hasn’t quite been gelling with the show’s previous seasons.

Some have blamed the New Zealand producers for trying to fit a US square into the Down Under hole.

Even though RuPaul is married to an Aussie, others have suggested Ru’s understanding of Down Under Drag was the issue.

Callum Cantril, co-host of Down Under Debrief podcast, told us it’s more than just one thing.

“The first season failed to leave an outstanding first impression in the Drag Race universe,” Callum said.

“The show was fresh off the backend of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was tarnished by low-budget production, limited resources, and casting controversies.

“It felt underwhelming with the daunting shadow of Drag Race UK season 2. Viewers were left disappointed.

“Seasons 2 and 3 showed signs of growth, with the franchise beginning to establish its identity.

“Open auditions brought a wider range of talent to the stage, resulting in more varied performances and engaging storylines.

“RuPaul’s limited understanding of [our] cultural nuances at times made the show feel disconnected from the vibrant drag scene we all know and love.

“The struggles of the show were never a reflection of the talent on screen.

“The queens have consistently delivered on several fronts and striven to define Australian and New Zealand drag culture.

“I can confidently say that the talent from Down Under is unmatched in its boldness, creativity, and authenticity.

“Seasons two and three highlighted the need for greater investment in showcasing the unique essence of Down Under drag.”

Who knew RuPaul ditching Down Under for a book tour would be such a boon to a change in the direction of the show?

As well as shaking up the hosting panel, it’s allowed a fresh perspective for the franchise.

All hail Michelle Visage (sorry Ru)

There’s no denying that having Michelle in the driver’s seat has felt like a breath of fresh air.

From her hilarious takes on Ru’s catchphrases to her approach to the format, she’s made hosting Drag Race Down Under her own.

Having a blast, she’s still able to bring the thunder with her critiques as well as passion and knowledge of drag culture.

“With Michelle as the new host, it will enliven the franchise and give a different perspective,” Isis Avis Loren told QNews.

“I think there are a few changes that are going to allow for a more ‘down under’ experience.”

Rhys Nicholson also said the big judging panel shakeup led to a ‘different form of connection’ with the new queens.

“We now have a rotation of winning queens on the panel, that fill the previous ‘Michelle’ spot,” Rhys said.

Rhys stressing that they haven’t taken up the former ‘Michelle’ spot on the panel.

“Someone was needed to dispense the tough but fair critiques that she’s known for. I was very vocal about that at the beginning,” Rhys said.

“You need to have a person on the panel that knows about drag! Which Michelle obviously, very definitely does.”

The guest judges each week bring a heap of fun to the runway experience.

But there’s no denying that the addition of former Drag Race queens to the panel has changed everything.

It has not only highlighted the diversity of drag around the world, but Down Under as well.

Also, giving more opportunities to Down Under winners and fan favourites on the judging panel has created a stronger investment in the series as a whole.

Letting the queens be themselves … FINALLY!

From the minute the queens walked into the Werk Room for season four, we knew something was different.

We were seeing camera shots and angles we had never seen before, but also the tone had shifted.

Reality TV has a format that works a certain way and everyone has a role to play. But that’s something the show has struggled with in the past.

Trying hard to make a narrative about a performer that hasn’t rung true, and has brought other elements of the show into the judging spotlight.

But Season 4 has done it differently. Sydney’s Vybe is a brilliant example of this.

It was very clear from her conversations in the opening episode that they were going for a typical Sydney bitch narrative.

“She’s the Sydneyist Sydney Bitch that’s ever walked the earth,” Lazy Susan said in her confessional.

Then Nikita Iman stepped into the Werk Room, who is also from Sydney and part of the state’s ballroom scene.

When Vybe had never heard of Nikita who talked about the scene being territorial you just knew which direction they were heading.

It wasn’t a direction they needed to make when Max Drag Queen didn’t know Brenda Bressed.

It would have been such an easy edit for production to make Vybe the villain with room for redemption in later episodes.

Instead, we were allowed to see Vybe be more than the villain of the season, seeing her as a rounded person and performer throughout the episode.

It showed us that this season was different.

The way the cast supported Max talking about their mother’s passing was beautiful to see.

Production was letting the queens be themselves and show it to the audience.

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But we’re sisters…

The thing about Down Under drag – for the most part – is that we respect each other.

Drag Race has made new queens and audiences think that the ‘battleground’ of drag needs to be put under the lens of the show.

That’s just not true.

Our drag is also culturally different, and that’s not something the show’s team landed when it started.

Nearly every season of Down Under has shown the queens to have genuine love and respect for each other (Minnie Cooper vs Pomara Fifth notwithstanding).

With season four, the series has finally figured out that this should be the focus.

After over a decade of Drag Race and too many spin-offs to count, many have thought they have the Drag Race formula down pat.

From the type of queen you are, to the archetype production gives you.

From backstage conversations with people wanting the T to interviews the minute the cast was announced, all we kept hearing about was the respect and love the cast had for one another.

Something you can see on the series each week.

It not only shows the performers in a much fuller light blooming but gives room for the conversations and production to do the same.

It’s something that other franchise audiences may not be used to, because hearing the shade sound effect or truly catty confessionals is their norm.

But when they tried to do that Down Under it did not ring true, and felt like production forced it in editing.

It really helps that the queens actually like each other.

Will forever belly flop to “My Delirium” with these 2 pic.twitter.com/l3JmfM63Ym

— Karna ford (@KarnaFord) December 1, 2024

So who will win?

With only a few episodes left the countdown is on to see who will be crowned the next Drag Race Down Under superstar.

It’s really hard to tell. Many people assume Lazy Susan because of her two wins out of the gate and her ability to think outside the box.

However, Vybe has always brought power and polish to the runway and is finally getting recognised.

Nikita Iman has been nothing short of exceptional to watch on the show, celebrating their drag and beauty.

Max Drag Queen may not have reached the top yet, but she knows how to perform like no other. Max has brought amazing moments to season 4.

Mandy Moobs has been doing Brisbane proud showing why such strong and brilliant performers come from there.

Freya Armani continues to stun, including her iconic lip-sync to Moving Pictures classic What About Me?

One of them will go home tonight, but we have such a high calibre of performers this whole season it’s genuinely sad to see anyone go.

Whatever happens, the Drag Race Down Under team have found their stride with season four.

Let’s hope the Drag Race can continue to build with future seasons, so the world can see what amazing drag artists we have.

Drag Race Down Under is streaming in Australia Fridays on Stan.

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

[cakesexuality]

What is your favorite indoors and outdoors activities during winter/holiday season? Do you have any tradition? How did it start?

This makes me think of how when I was a young kid, we would have family Christmas on my biodad's side at either his sister's house or their brother's house, and both lived on country roads, so my uncle would get out his snowmobile, tie a plastic toboggan to the back, and zip us (myself, my brother, and our 2 cousins) around the farmers' fields!! He'd even bring it along when we had Christmas at my aunt's house instead of his place!! Sometimes, the rope would come undone, and we'd have to yell "Wait, wait! Come back!" for our uncle to come back and reattach the toboggan

An indoor tradition that I have is putting on my Christmas/holiday playlist and putting up my Christmas decorations!! I haven't done it yet this year, and this is also my first year with my music being on Spotify (normally I use a holiday playlist I made on YouTube), so not all of my songs came over with the transition 😥 But my new playlist still has some of my favourites, like Hard Candy Christmas by Dolly Parton, All I Want For Christmas Is You by My Chemical Romance, Baby Please Come Home by Josh Ramsay, Yule Shoot Your Eye Out by Fall Out Boy, and O Holy Night by Michelle Visage

[ingravinoveritas]

Hii, so, obviously I had to come to your blog after watching Michael on Gogglebox, because I always love your commentary!! Thoughts?

Hi, Anon. Well thank you so much for your kind words! I’m very glad that you enjoy my commentary.

I did indeed have the opportunity to watch Michael and AL’s appearance on Gogglebox (and for those who haven’t seen it, @invisibleicewands​ graciously uploaded it here). And it’s just...oof.

First of all, the whole show is a really weird concept--watching people watch TV. And the particular shows that they chose for Michael and AL and the other groupings were just...awkward? GBBO, Squid Game, a sex documentary, and that show about Liam, the little boy with cancer, which...I will get into more in a moment. So off the bat, they’re giving people some odd things to react to, but given the people taking part (like Graham Norton and Michelle Visage, Aisling Bea and Rob Delaney, Matt Lucas and his mom), you’d think there might be some interesting moments...right?

Well...yes and no. Because on the Michael and Anna side of things, the moments I found funny were probably not meant to be funny (“I feel like you shouldn't be able to say words if you don't know what they mean” followed by dead silence from AL) , and the moments of purposeful humor (”Welsh cake?” “Swedish chocolate”?) fell flat for me. Michael seemed to be getting into what they were watching, regardless of what it was--he was animated and jovial, which he is always is, so that wasn’t unexpected. But it seemed like AL was trying to mirror his energy and just...not being very successful. Her laughter seemed fake, and worse yet, so did her crying during the program about Liam.

Right away, I will say that watching a program about a child with cancer and his family is a difficult thing. But when you add to it the element of being watched while you are watching said program, it was just uncomfortable. Particularly so when it came to Anna. It truly seemed like she was searching for the ‘correct’ expression, and more focused on looking like she was feeling something than actually feeling something. I honestly felt like I could see a flashing neon sign in her head going, “Look sad, look sad,” which sharply contrasted with Michael (and everyone else) looking genuinely affected by it, and then it became even more obvious when we saw the shots of the other celebrities and literally no one else was reacting or exaggerating their expressions in that way.

I just...I’m so confused. This is AL’s chosen vocation (acting), and yet she somehow manages to be unconvincing even as herself. Michael gave her plenty to work with, and she didn’t really do anything with it, and their banter was just...off-kilter, as a result. In my opinion, the mark of a good actor is one who can pretend to feel an emotion and be completely convincing, because all we see is the emotion...but a bad actor is one who pretends to feel an emotion and all we see is the pretending. And of the two people sitting on that couch, I think we know who falls into which category.

Again, I will give both Michael and AL a little bit of a break, because I’m sure it can’t be easy to put your ‘relationship’ in front of cameras. Maybe they decided ahead of time to just play their Staged personas, to put that version of themselves on TV instead of however they actually are with each other. But it somehow made Georgia’s #Shebergs hashtag look even more forced, because it’s pushing a narrative. And while Michael looked comfortable because he was at home, in familiar surroundings (which isn’t necessarily the same thing as being comfortable because of who you’re with), AL seemed like she was painfully, obviously aware of the cameras being there the whole time. And it showed.

I just can’t help thinking of what a missed opportunity this was to have Michael and David on Gogglebox, especially when it came (pun mildly intended) to the sex documentary. There are few things I want more in this life than to see David Tennant’s reaction to that woman saying, “That is a heroically big cock.” Like, you have no idea. The excessively Scottish reaction I imagine coming from him is the best thing I’ve never heard, and I have a mighty need. PLEASE.

So yes, that is pretty much my commentary on Michael’s Gogglebox appearance. I hope it was what you were looking for, Anon. Thanks for writing in! x