The DIVA rollercoaster begins (24/7/03)

With the launch of the DIVAs last Monday, and the release of the fabulous poster, the ball has been set in motion. Like watching a rollercoaster climb that first big incline, it’s just a matter of moments before all the thrills and excitement begin. I love this time of year. The preparation for the DIVAs is just as exciting as the event itself -¦ well, perhaps not quite.

Tickets went on sale last week, so get on the phone and ring the Seymour Centre right away to secure your seats. And for anyone who hasn’t been to the DIVAs before but would like to go, remember that you don’t have to be a part of the industry. All you need is an appreciation for drag, and the desire to re-live your Year 10 formal.

And speaking of setting balls in motion, the charismatic Courtney Act has finally made her drag-singing debut. Believe it or not, young little Miss Act has been singing in shopping centres and winning Mister Tiny Tot awards since childhood. Now with last Saturday’s opening night at the Shift comes the success of her Queen show, which also stars Ashley, Marcello, Marcus, and Alex. In the show she sings live and, as many people reported to me on my late arrival, she rose quite a few rungs on the performing ladder. And if that wasn’t enough, Courtney has spent all week in lock-up as one of the final 100 in Australian Idol. Believe me, this girl is on her way to the top, and the best thing about singing live is you never have to worry about miming the wrong words again.

I’d like to say a big thank you to Portia Turbo, who drove me to the hospital and sat with me in the waiting room while I got stitches in my eyebrow, after throwing myself into a speaker at Arq on Thursday. If that isn’t sisterly camaraderie, then I don’t know what is. And all this from the winner of Bitch of the Year for five consecutive years? Maybe Portia has her eyes on Miss Congeniality. It’s very comforting to know that we can rely on our fellow gender pretender sisters for support. Thank you again.

A couple of new arrivals that you must keep your eyes on are at completely opposite ends of the scale. The first is the young and demure Christina Dior and the other is the bright and over-the-top Della.

Christina is performing with the legends in Polly’s show Hairiffic at the Venus Room on Sundays. This girl has heaps of potential and I’m sure will become more and more visible as she grows into a professional drag queen.

As for Della, although she has been doing social drag for years, she’s thinking more seriously about her hobby. She’s unlike anyone else at the moment, a   larger-than-life, fluorescent pink queen who’s reminiscent of Divine. Just as Atlanta Georgia predicted months ago, camp is making a comeback.