Exclusive: Juno Birch misses the “crustiness” of drag
Juno Birch wants to see more “silliness” in mainstream drag. Ahead of her upcoming tour, Attack of the STUNNING!, the self-described Martian spoke exclusively to GAY TIMES about the current state of the art-form in popular culture.
Drag has never been so in demand, with its influence felt in podcasts, music and television – thanks to RuPaul’s Drag Race – as well as social media. “I think it’s pretty clear to me what it’s not there, and that’s talent.
No, I’m just kidding!” jokes Juno, before saying an element of “silliness” and “not taking it too seriously” is currently absent from the scene. “Because drag has become such a mainstream thing now, people take it way too seriously and you’re expected as a drag queen to be this inspirational beacon of hope that says the right things all the time,” she explains. “But really, we’re just bastards in wigs, aren’t we?
I missed that about drag, I miss how drag was always just in a bar and it was very casual, very rough.” Although she misses the “crustiness” of drag, Juno thinks we’re moving towards a future where “imperfection” will make a comeback.
