In the vibrant realms of drag and burlesque, the question often arises: “How long have you been doing this?” For many performers, including Vicious Mockery, the answer is far more complex than one might assume.
Vicious Mockery, who took her draglesque debut at the variety show Glamorama this past January, reflects on a journey that transcends that singular moment.
While many may pinpoint her adult debut, she acknowledges that her roots extend back to college, where she participated in Pride events and Rocky Horror Picture Show shadowcasts. Even so, that acknowledgment doesn’t capture the true beginning of her relationship with performance.
The artist reminisces about high school days spent in cosplay, where she donned costumes of her favorite fictional characters and showcased her talents in talent shows. Unbeknownst to her at the time, Vicious often gravitated towards male characters, learning about “crossplay” makeup from YouTube—an endeavor that left her mother both amused and bewildered.
Before high school, however, was the heart of her connection to drag—a connection that started in her childhood bedroom. Growing up, Vicious would energetically lip-sync to tracks from Hilary Duff, The Beatles, Avril Lavigne, and JoJo, asserting a youthful identity as “half a boy and half a girl.”
In those private performances, she would express herself, entertain, and process a range of emotions—from her family’s house fire to her father’s struggles with alcohol and eventual passing.
Art became a crucial outlet for Vicious during turbulent times when conversations with trusted adults were limited, chiefly due to the pervasive transphobia and homophobia of the early 2000s.
Thus, she used cross-dressing and lip-syncing as therapeutic tools, and it dawned upon her only later in life that she had effectively always been a drag performer.
Vicious did not share these memories merely to highlight her experiences but to emphasize the broader significance of drag and burlesque, particularly in the current cultural landscape where these art forms are facing criticism under the pretext of protecting children.
She passionately argues that drag is inherently for kids. Reflecting on her own childhood experiences, she insists that while not every drag show is suitable for children—much like any form of entertainment—it remains an inclusive art form that can foster creativity and self-expression for all ages.
In her perspective, drag represents artistic expression that saves lives, a sentiment resonating among many who have found solace in the art form.
The current wave of bans on drag and burlesque, she notes, can be viewed as a veiled attempt to silence marginalized voices rather than true efforts aimed at child safety. Vicious is determined to explore this complex issue further in future installments of her column.
Additionally, while her focus lies predominantly on the drag scene, she acknowledges the intertwining nature of drag and burlesque through their shared qualities of humor, satire, and gender expression, often seen in cabaret shows where they coalesce effortlessly.
Historically, both drag and burlesque have provided platforms for marginalized communities, with performers often using these art forms as their only means of public expression.
From the days of speakeasies during Prohibition to the underground ballroom scene pioneered by queer Black and Latinx artists, these performances have forged essential gathering spaces for queer and trans individuals over the past century.
With the introduction of the Rhinestone Digest, Vicious hopes to spotlight the local drag and burlesque scenes and showcase diverse performers and productions that contribute uniquely to the artistic community.
Having worn many hats such as performer, producer, tip kitten, door person, stage manager, promoter, and graphic designer, she remains a learner eager to grow alongside her readership.
Through this monthly column, she aims to delve into the nuances of the local scene, addressing its rhythms, challenges, and prospects for the future.
As part of her commitment to community engagement, each installment will conclude with a curated list of local shows and events worthy of attention. For the inaugural edition, in light of Pride Month, Vicious extends a particularly comprehensive list.
Those involved in producing shows are encouraged to reach out to share their events, either by email or through Instagram at @vicious.mockery.drag.
Overall, Vicious Mockery’s narrative serves as a poignant reminder of the powerful, expressive potential of drag and burlesque, transcending mere performance to become a profound form of identity and emotional catharsis.
image source from：https://chicagoreader.com/performing-arts/rhinestone-digest/rhinestone-digest-june-2025-pride/
