Syracuse University’s Drag Show Finale: Goths vs. Bimbos Takes the Stage
Syracuse University's Drag Show Finale: Goths vs. Bimbos Takes the Stage
This past Tuesday, four Syracuse University student performers faced off in SU Pride Union’s 21st Annual Drag Show Finale in Goldstein Auditorium. The competition, themed “Goths vs. Bimbos,” was hosted by renowned drag queens Mo Heart and Crystal Methyd, both of whom delivered amazing performances of their own.
While Mo Heart served a futuristic look in an all-silver outfit and platinum-and-lime-green wig worn specifically for her appearance at Syracuse. Crystal Methyd sported a more avant-garde look: a whimsical, pastel sphere with stuffed hands of varying sizes protruding from it.
The competition went down in two rounds: first the finalists – determined by crowd reaction in the preliminary round on March 23 – performed individually.
Sergey Sir Gabriel Googlygoo brought loads of energy to the Goldstein stage, with a performance to an LMFAO medley, complete with cartwheels, a shirt with abs, interaction with the crowd and… a bright pink strap-on of course.
Dirty Lucciano brought the crowd to its feet with a steamy performance to the Silhouette Remix of “Streets” by Doja Cat in the preliminary round, making it an easy decision when it came time to determine the performers for the finale. This time around, she came not only with high expectations from the audience, but with a whole team for hair, makeup and wardrobe. Dirty delivered another high-energy performance, with an iconic 40-inch pony, a chair dance and of course, the flaunting of her Megan knees.
Vera Kewl wowed the audience once again with her performance to “Sweet Transvestite” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show with live vocals. She strutted across the stage wearing her red leather knee-high boots, fishnets, a bejeweled face and a trench coat, which was soon thrown off to reveal a black lace corset. Vera Kewl ended the performance in a death drop — an iconic drag staple.
The first round came to a close with Quirt Taylor’s performance. Along with their clown makeup look, Quirt Taylor brought a certain swagger to the stage that no other performer did. That… and a special guest, who sported a matching New York Yankees jersey and had the crowd roaring with her voguing and death drops.
The crowd’s reaction to the individual performances sent Dirty Lucciano and Vera Kewl to the final round, during which they lip synced for their lives to “Telephone” by Lady Gaga and Beyoncé. While Vera Kewl gave us voguing, death drops and props — of course her “Daddy” fan had to make an appearance – Dirty brought sass, emotion, and killer dance moves to the stage, even going as far as matching Vera Kewl’s moves.
Ultimately, Dirty Lucciano was crowned as the winner of Pride Union’s 21st Annual Drag Show.
This win comes at a time in which the LGBTQ+ community is under vicious attack from conservative politicians. Anti-drag bills are beginning to sweep the nation, with at least 13 states already proposing legislation criminalizing drag performances. In such a tense political climate, it is extremely heartwarming to know that the LGBTQ+ community has a safe space in Pride Union at Syracuse University.
is an advertising and retail management major from Edison, N.J.
