Mon 19 Jan 2009 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
"It was like no other drag competition I've ever seen," says Wellington's newly-crowned Top Drag Queen for 2009. "I really felt the love of the crowd, and had a great night with all the girls who also did superbly well!" Top drag talent: Rhubarb Rouge After a live drag show-down last night in The Garden Club, 21-year-old Rhubarb Rouge secured the judges and audiences votes to takw the new title. The venue on Dixon Street in central Wellington was filled to capacity, with some late-comers unfortunately refused entry due to safety regulations. "I was surprised when they said my name, it happened so quick that I thought I was being voted off," Rouge smiles. "That's why I had to ask Felicity next to me, did I win?" Talented divas Felicity Frockaccino and Malibu Thang were also in the Top three, following their live shows which the audience and judges cheered for. NZ Idol 2005 winner Rosita Vai was on the judging team. "What an array of stunning girls," she reacted. "It was really hard to choose the winner, but I think in the end it was definitely just one." Fellow judge Victoria from capital drag troupe The Glamazons was also impressed: "I decided to be a bit more diplomatic last night, as opposed to my usual sharp tongue! But I have to say that the entrants really brought it and that was great". Organiser Andy Boreham says he was truly overwhelmed with the turnout and the amazing audience. "All of the girls were top-notch, except maybe for Sophie Sana who was voted off in the first round and told never to do drag again," he laughs devilishly. The winning queen Rhubarb Rouge will appear on Aaron and Andy's Camp FM radio show this evening, and on an up-coming cover of GayNZ.com's glossy printed Gig Guide, sent to LGBT venues around New Zealand.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Monday, 19th January 2009 - 12:50pm