Ahead of a festive-themed drag tour at Marys Poppin this Thursday, CityMag peeks into the dressing room, discovering the queen’s pre-show rituals, favourite anthems and more.
The teams behind RuPaul’s Drag Race and Adelaide’s Marys Poppin are presenting the Slay Belles tour, getting audiences into the festive spirit.
Featuring performances from various international seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race, the lineup includes Down Under stars Coco Jumbo, Karen from Finance and Kween Kong.
Kween Kong was Australia’s Global All Star representative, and in 2023, became the first drag queen to be nominated for a Logie.
Other All Stars alum that make up the Slay Belles include USA’s Alyssa Edwards, UK’s Kitty Scott Claus and Germany’s Tessa Testicle, along with Lemon, the winner of Canada vs. the World season two.
Ahead of the show at Marys Poppin this Thursday, we heard from four of the queens about their pre-show rituals, favourite anthems and more.
Coco Jumbo
Coco Jumbo was on season one of Drag Race Down Under. Connect with her on Instagram.
What influenced you to start drag?
After cross-dressing from the fine age of two years old, I thought drag was the next natural step of my evolution!
What does a ‘day in the life’ look like for you?
I’m a queen of the night I wake up at 5pm. Paint and hit the club by 7pm and leave at at 7am.
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Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
A bottle of fireball!
If drag queens were desserts, which one would you be and why?
Coming into summer I’d be a sticky date pudding! If you’ve seen me after a show you’d know why!
What are your two favourite drag queen anthems?
And I’m Telling You, Aint no mountain high enough
Who’s your favourite Australian music artist?
Tina Arena
Karen from Finance
Karen is a Melbourne/Naarm-based queen and was a finalist in season one of Drag Race Down Under. Connect with her on Instagram.
What influenced you to start drag?
I was super interested in trash/alt/shock drag, and really influenced by the stylings of people like The Divine David, Christeene and Divine, as well as films and musicals such as Hewig and the Angry Inch and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Believe it or not, they’re the scenes that Karen started out in – she’s come a long way!
What advice would you give somebody starting to drag?
Find something unique about yourself and RUN with it! Drag is so popular now – we’ve seen it all! But we haven’t seen YOU!
What does a ‘day in the life’ look like for you?
Hilariously enough, I actually do have a corporate 9-5 job now! It’s life imitating art – after a lifetime of art imitating life! Work – Booze – Bed; that’s it for me – but never necessarily in that order!
What’s one myth about drag queens that you’d like to debunk, and what’s the reality?
Most drag queens are actually really nice people. Weird, sure. Smelly? Absolutely. But mostly they’re nice.
If drag queens were desserts, which one would you be and why?
I would be a trifle. Lots of layers, well put together, super sweet, but also kinda sloppy.
What are your two favourite drag queen anthems?
9-5 by Dolly (obviously) and Not Going Home For Christmas by ME!!! (world debut at Slay Belles!)
Kitty Scott-Claus
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Kitty Scott-Claus was on season three of Drag Race UK and Drag Race Global All Stars. Connect with her on Instagram.
What was something that had a significant impact on your persona/style?
Growing up I always had Barbie dolls and what I loved was that it didn’t matter what the occasion or career they were in there was always an outfit or look to suit. Barbie can do it all, and that’s how I think of drag – change the outfit and you can take over the world.
What advice would you give somebody starting to drag?
Do it because you LOVE it! Not to get onto Drag Race. And also find what makes you you and do it to the nth degree.
Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
I’m newly alcohol-free so my pre-show ritual no longer includes having a bevvy with the girls. I like to have a decent amount of time to get ready – I hate being rushed so making sure everything is laid out and ready to go.
If drag queens were desserts, which one would you be and why?
I’d be a strawberry tart, ‘cus I’m sweet, I like strawberries and I’m a bit of a tart.
What are your two favourite drag queen anthems?
Anything by the Spice Girls!
What are the must-have beauty products for a drag performer?
I swear by anything Fenty! Fenty foundation, primer, lip gloss, the skincare, the SPF! Incredible!
Tessa Testicle
Tessa is a Switzerland-based queen and was on season one of Drag Race Germany and Global All Stars. Connect with her on Instagram.
What influenced you to start drag?
Drag was always part of me. As a child, I was constantly playing dress-up, but it wasn’t until I discovered RuPaul’s Drag Race in my teens that I truly embraced it and committed to drag.
What does a ‘day in the life’ look like for you?
My life is a bit of a blend of reality and glamour these days. During the week, I work at a spinning and cycling studio, working the reception and also teaching classes as an instructor. But the weekends? Those belong to my drag shows – where the real magic happens.
What’s one myth about drag queens that you’d like to debunk, and what’s the reality?
The myth that we’re always late! The reality? We’re fashionably on time.
If drag queens were desserts, which one would you be and why?
Drag queens would be like a perfectly crafted mille-feuille: elegant, multi-layered and always a surprise with each bite.
What are your two favourite drag queen anthems?
Literally anything by the holy trinity: Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.
Who is your favourite comic character?
Scarlet Witch. She’s powerful, misunderstood and always serving a lewk.
What are some drag queen-approved tips for building confidence on stage or the runway?
Fake it till you make it! How else do you think I made Top 5? Even when you’re shaking in your boots. Delulu is always the solulu.
Slay Belles is showing at Marys Poppin on Thursday, November 21. Tickets are available via the ITD events website.