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Melbourne drag sensation Art Simone is back with another glittering masterpiece as she releases her second book. Drag Queens Down Under is 鈥渁 love letter鈥� to Australian drag鈥檚 history and future, that shows our drag artists off to the world.

Art says Drag Queens Down Under is more than just a collection of glamorous photos and stories, it鈥檚 a deep dive into the heart and soul of our drag culture.听

This book serves as both a tribute and a mission to immortalise the rich history, diversity, and impact of the art form that has shaped her life. “It鈥檚 my big love letter to the Australian drag scene and everything that makes it so special and unique,” Art explains.

鈥淚鈥檝e always been about highlighting and platforming Australian drag,鈥� she says, referencing her previous projects like Highway to Heel and Kick Ons, where she鈥檚 always made a point of handing other artists the mic. 鈥淚f I can give another drag artist a moment in the spotlight, I鈥檒l do it. Every single time.鈥�

Art Simone wants the world to see an authentic view of Aussie drag

For Art Simone, this book is not just about showcasing drag; it鈥檚 about giving the world a more authentic, expansive view of the art form, beyond the often simplified portrayals seen in popular media like RuPaul鈥檚 Drag Race. 鈥淭here鈥檚 been a lot of critiques of shows like Drag Race Down Under, not accurately portraying what we do,鈥� Art 谤别蹿濒别肠迟蝉.听

鈥淥ur drag is so much more than what鈥檚 been portrayed on TV,鈥� she asserts. 鈥淚t鈥檚 frustrating to see the Aussie scene almost become the laughing stock of the world.鈥�

Art Simone spent 12 months travelling the country interviewing 30 drag artists, using their voices to reflect the wide-ranging experiences of the Australian drag community. Drag Queens Down Under captures the stories, triumphs, and challenges that have shaped the Aussie drag world.听

One of the standout aspects of Drag Queens Down Under is its depth of storytelling. 鈥淭his isn鈥檛 a Times Hottest 100 of drag queens,鈥� she jokes. 鈥淚t鈥檚 hundreds of voices being celebrated through these stories.鈥�

Australian drag stories you won’t find anywhere else

Art recalls her interview with Verushka Darling, a legendary figure in the Australian drag scene. Verushka鈥檚 career exploded when she became the first-ever drag queen to host her own TV show on MTV.听

In the book, Verushka recounts a chilling but ultimately heartwarming experience after an event at the Sydney Town Hall. Alone on the steps, she was surrounded by a group of menacing men, and the iconic queen feared for her safety. 鈥淭his is it,鈥� she thought, 鈥渢his is where I go鈥�. But then one of the men recognised her, and everything changed.

鈥�Verushka Darling? From MTV?鈥� he asked. In an instant, their hostility melted, and he even requested a song for her to perform the next week. “Drag saved her life that night.”

It鈥檚 stories like this that set Drag Queens Down Under apart from other projects about drag.

“Never before has a drag queen sat down with this many performers, this many diverse voices, to tell their stories,” Art explains. And she鈥檚 right 鈥� the book provides an intimate, insider perspective that you simply can鈥檛 get from mainstream media.

The book also features iconic figures like Cindy Pastel,聽the inspiration behind the character of Mitzi in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and Vanity, the revolutionary creator who helped make lace front wigs affordable for queens everywhere. “She鈥檚 been leading the game for years,” Art gushes.

Drag Queens Down Under looks forward and back

And seeing as this month is LGBT History Month, it鈥檚 the perfect time for this book to hit stores.听

But while Australian drag history is a clear priority, the book is not solely historical 鈥� it also celebrates the new generation pushing the art form in bold new directions. Artists like Space Horse, who represent the growing presence of AFAB (assigned female at birth) queens in the scene, are part of the book鈥檚 mission to showcase the future of drag.

鈥淭hese queens are taking drag to places we never imagined it could go,鈥� says Art.

From the legendary Maxi Shield鈥檚 tales of performing at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, to Vonni鈥檚 insight into the glamorous yet gritty world of the iconic Les Girls, Drag Queens Down Under is a feast for anyone who loves drag, LGBTQIA+ history, or just a bloody good story.

For those who 鈥渄on鈥檛 like to read鈥� Art quips, there are quick sections full of bite-sized facts and tips from the queens. The book is packed with insider knowledge 鈥� from drag makeup hacks to the evolution of the scene.

At its core, Drag Queens Down Under is a celebration of community, culture, and the way drag has and continues to shape Australia鈥檚 LGBTQIA+ identity. “I wanted this book to be a legacy piece,” Art says. 鈥淭hese stories, these queens 鈥� they deserve to be immortalised.鈥�

鈥淒rag is powerful. It鈥檚 more than just performance 鈥� it鈥檚 connection, it鈥檚 history, and it鈥檚 our future.鈥�

Drag Queens Down Under is ahead of the official release on 29 October.

 

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This story is a feature from Star Observer’s October 2024 print issue. This issue is on streets now, or you can find the digital version on our ‘In Print’ page here.

EDITOR NOTE: A previous version of this story contained two errors. The previous version said ‘The book also features iconic figures like Cindy Pastel, the inspiration behind the character of Bernadette’, which should have read the ‘character of Mitzi’. It also read “Bonnie鈥檚 insight into the glamorous yet gritty…” which should have read ‘Vonni鈥檚 insight’. Star Observer apologises for these errors.听