In this podcast Jacki talks about being part of the Queen of the Whole Universe beauty pageant.
Summary
This podcast features an interview with Jacki Byrd, who discusses their experience with the Queen of the Whole Universe beauty pageant, an event characterized by fun, community spirit, and the opportunity for non-professionals to shine on stage. Conducted on April 15, 2012, in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand, the interview vividly captures the essence of this unique pageant, which transcends traditional gender boundaries by welcoming all genders to participate.
Jacki Byrd's journey to the Queen of the Whole Universe pageant began with attending the inaugural show supporting a friend, which left a profound impact due to the show's vibrant atmosphere. The sense of inclusivity and community was palpable, with the audience consisting of friends and family, amplifying the enthusiasm and support for the performers. Byrd remembers being drawn to the pageant's celebration of self-expression and the diversity of participants that mirrored society's many facets.
Reflecting on the inaugural experience, Byrd speaks of a personal transition from spectator to participant, fueled by a love for dressing up and the thrill of performing, despite initial nerves. The pageant is highlighted as a space where individuals of any gender can assume personas, revealing an interesting dynamic: women portraying men dressed as women, creating a playful and imaginative atmosphere.
The conversation reveals the behind-the-scenes intricacies of the event, including the creation of elaborate costumes often fashioned from everyday materials, numerous hours of dance rehearsals, and the adrenaline-filled rush leading up to the performance. Byrd recalls the persona embodied in the first year—Margarita Manita, Miss Mexico—donning an elaborate costume designed by a talented artist who helped win the "Miss Pins and Needles" accolade.
Rehearsal periods are fondly looked upon as times for bonding, learning, and evolving from non-dancers to performers who elicit applause. Byrd speaks of the pageant's significance in breaking the mold of traditional femininity, striving to outshine even the drag queens in exuding hyper-feminine charm, complete with the highest heels.
The stars of the pageant, the second-stage competitors, are esteemed for their dedication to crafting imaginative stories and costumes—one being Miss Scotland, who particularly stood out for their engaging stage presence. The interview touches on the communal aspect underlying the pageant, where participants share strong bonds akin to family, despite not always having close relations outside of the show.
Addressing the pageant's impending finale, Byrd muses on the importance of recognizing the natural lifecycle of events and looking forward to new beginnings. Nonetheless, Byrd expresses a commitment to going out with a bang for what could be the final show, echoing the sentiment of seizing opportunities with zest.
The power of transformation—from everyday persona to the amplified version on stage—is articulated as both a personal endeavor and a communal effort, facilitated by makeup artists that unify the participants into a chorus, ready for the show.
Overall, Byrd's participation in the Queen of the Whole Universe pageant is more than just performance; it is an affirmation of the joys of life, the strength of community, and the celebration of diversity. The interview closes with an exhortation to the audience to relish in the shared experience of fun and support for one another.
This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.
Voices
Tags (computer generated)
artist, audience, bagpipes, balance, books, change, choreography, coming up, community, competition, connections, costumes, dance, david, difference, directing, drag queen, dress up, energy, expression, face, family, fancy dress, fear, feelings, femininity, friends, fun, gender, hair, hit, hope, imagination, individual, job, kissing, laughter, legacy, love, makeup, mary, opportunity, other, pacific, parade, people, persona, podcast, queen, queer, race, ritual, routine, school, scotland, sexuality, shoes, straight, stress, stuff, support, teaching, time, top, trust, university, walking, wellington, wig, work