Kween Kong brings a Pacific rainbow to Sydney

L to R: Kween Kong, Hannah Conda, Spankie Jackzon.

While debate raged around rainbow flags in sport this week, NZ born drag artist Kween Kong was celebrating diversity at the premiere of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

The towering Kween Kong, who now performs in Adelaide, has Maori heritage and acknowledges drag has sometimes divided family.

“I come from very supportive women in my family and my drag is very much a homage to those women. But there’s definitely male parts of the family that don’t necessarily understand what this is,” she told TV Tonight.

“It’s because of the patriarchy really, and religion, which is ironic, because those are things that were introduced to us by Western society.”

Pacific nations have their own unique history of LGBTQI+.

In Polynesian culture there are estimated to be 3000 faʻafafine people who identify themselves as having a third gender or non-binary role in Samoa, American Samoa and the Samoan diaspora.

“Fa’afafine used to transcend gender and sexuality. Whereas missionaries completely eradicated all of our ideology beforehand, especially around gender and sexuality. So we’re in this weird hybrid place with some things we still hold on to and some things we have completely missed the point. So it’s difficult.”

Also difficult is the challenge of competing in Drag Race, but Kween Kong is said to be unbeatable in lip-syncing.

“It was definitely a lot harder than I was expecting it to be. When we watch it on TV, you’re always an armchair exper thinking ‘If I was on the show, I would do this, I would do that!’ But it’s not the case when you’re when you’re in the show. So it definitely was a reality check. But I left there feeling like I was invincible.”

One of her competitors is Sydney-based Hannah Conda, who began drag in Perth venues Connections and the Court Hotel.

“I’ve always been quite theatrical as a kid. I enjoy the fantasy of musical theatre and, you know, I dabbled. But I was very, very shy. It wasn’t until I came out that I discovered who I was as a person. Through the doors of a gay club I found drag and then it just sort of steamrolled from there,” she revealed.

“A friend of mine who was doing drag when I started going out as an 18 year old said, ‘You should give it a go one night.’ I was like, ‘I will for one night only!’ Here we are. 12 years later, and it’s a mistake that got out of hand!”

Yet maintaining drag does not come cheaply, especially to compete in Drag Race. Some performers have spent $15,000 on outfits, wigs and make-up.

“As Dolly Parton says, it costs a lot to look this cheap! You put your savings into it, try and create the best package of your drag that you can. But it’s definitely a lot of money.”

Also competing is Brisbane’s Beverly Kills (pictured above) who draws upon the arts, and doesn’t feel a need to excel in comedy.

“Not at all. I can do acrobatics, eat fire, crack whips. I do many things, but I don’t sing.

“Brisbane is a very performance focussed city, so I focus my drag around sideshow and burlesque. They’ve taught me so much about what it means to be a performer, not just a drag queen.

“I was very inspired by the Queers that came before us. There were local drag performers when I was growing up and I thought, ‘That looks like fun.’”

Go to song:

Kween Kong: Shackles (Praise You) by Mary Mary.
“It’s like a gospel song with a dance mix. I just like the message of it. I love an aggressive affirmation ond I like to praise people.”

Hannah Conda: My Heart Will Go On by Jessie J.
“It’s from a Chinese talent show that she did and it was amazing. “

Beverly Kills: WA&P – Rihanna vs. Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion (Mashup)
“Cardi B raps over Rhianna’s instrumental. Nothing can beat it.”

RuPaul’s Drag Race: Down Under screens Saturdays on Stan.