Sun 25 Jan 2009 In: Hall of Fame View at Wayback View at NDHA
Wellington's Next Top Drag Queen Rhubarb Rouge Rhubarb earned herself the prestigious title of Welly's Next Top Drag Queen at the Garden Club recently. We got to know the glam girl a little better… Congrats for winning Wellington's Next Top Drag Queen! What did you do on stage to win, and what was the night like? I think like Aaron and Andy [the organisers] said to me I just brought it! I went up there and was just myself! I worked the crowd and involved the audience, talked to them a lot, I was confident but not arrogant. I think it also came down to the show, which I see it as a whole production, so combining AV, costume, choreography with energy and emotion to create a fantastic production. The night was fantastic! Lots of fun on and backstage with all the girls who also did superbly well! What do you do for a job/study at the moment? When I'm off stage, not being the fabulous Rhubarb Rouge, I'm Ricky and I study at Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School, doing a Bachelor of Performing Arts Management and Entertainment Technology. Which is all the backstage side of live shows, theatre and film, like lighting, sound, AV and the management of it all. What's your background, and where did you grew up? I was born in the south of Brazil, Porto Alegre and grew up there until I came to New Zealand in 2000 when I was 13 with my family. In the spotlight: Rhubarb performs When did you come out as gay, and what was it like for you at the time? I guess I always knew I was gay! My sister who is also gay came out when I was around 10 and my family took it quite well for a Brazilian family. I guess I tried to "hide it" or make sure I was gay until I was 17, which was when I came out kind of by accident when I was on Brazil for a holiday and my mum read my diary and found out about it! Because I have an amazing mother who is very understanding and loves me not matter and a lesbian sister it was a much easier environment for me to come out. What do you think are the most pressing issues currently facing the NZ's LGBT community? I think many gay people in the GLBT community instead of working together towards something for everyone they mostly criticize bitch and gossip! Who are your LGBT heroes? I think anyone who works towards any of the issues in the GLBT community; especially HIV/AIDS is a hero for me! What's your relationship status? Ricky is currently single! So if there are any boys who wouldn't mind dating a guy who does drag hit me up asap! What's your biggest fear? Probably dying and not being able to have achieved everything I want to. Your favourite music at the moment? Madonna! Always! And especially after seeing her live front row last month! But I'm also loving The Saturdays - Up and Kylie's last album X! Any books or magazines you're reading and recommending? There is a famous Brazilian author called Paulo Coelho, who wrote The Alchemist, I got his last book and I'm loving it! Your favourite movies? So many! Sex and the City would be the latest! Who wouldn't want a guy asking to marry you with a pair of Manolo Blahnik! Your favourite TV programmes? Desperate Housewives, Nip/Tuck and Shortland Street! Love it! Your favourite websites? GayNZ.com! Aaronandandy.com and Manhunt.net. If you could have one wish granted what would it be? World peace! And the cure for HIV/ AIDS. What's coming up in the near future for you? I've got some shows planned for Proud ' 09 and Out in the Square and some other functions. But it will be a full year as Wellington's Top Drag Queen! Become a friend of Rhubarb Rouge on Facebook to see a video of her winning performance at Wellington's Next Top Drag Queen. Roubarb's promotional YouTube video is shown below. GayNZ.com - 25th January 2009