When four of the biggest and most talented drag artists in the world get together to put on a show, you stop in your tracks, clear your diary and get bloody well excited about it. Ahead of the National Treasures show this March, Jason Reid took time to catch up with two of the fearless foursome this week: the legendary Sherry Vine and Jackie Beat.
Hiya girls! First things first, what can we expect from you both in this new show?
Sherry: Well speaking for myself, lots of parodies and filth. And a little leg of course!
Jackie: They can expect the usual cheap, low-end, snarky humour that I am so famous for. I mean, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, right? All joking aside, I hope people will enjoy seeing seasoned drag performers that perhaps they have only experienced on YouTube or TV, singing LIVE and doing what we each do best. Thank God Bianca isn’t singing. No one wants to hear a muppet with emphysema croak out a tune.
As well as Bianca, you’ll also be sharing the bill with Lady Bunny. Who’s the biggest diva of the four of you? SPILL!
S: Honestly, there aren’t any divas. I know that’s not what people want to hear, but we are doing this because we all love each other and it’s non-stop laughing being together.
J: Biggest? Based on square footage alone it has to be me, but if by “diva” you mean a horrible fucking cunt then I’d have to say Bianca. Just kidding, she’s actually a complete sweetheart. Seriously though, none of us are “divas.” I have found that the most talented show ponies, the ones who approach drag as a craft and a job, are the easiest to work with. It’s the ones whose careers are based on nothing but empty TV fame and smoke and mirrors that feel the need to be bitchy. They think that’s how a star acts so they do it. Honey, a star does their job, okay?
What advice would you give to someone who wants to achieve national treasure status?
S: Just keep doing what you love to do and don’t second-guess yourself. Oh, and try to stay alive…
J: Create an original character, come up with a signature make-up style (not just copying some legendary queen’s genius makeup), sing live, be funny and then do all of this for over 25 years. To all the toddlers out there dressed like clown/whores, I say “good luck with that!” But I’m not bitter!
Apart from your co-stars, who are your drag national treasures?
S: Joey Arias. A real show girl, with a giving soul and a true heart. I love that bitch so much. She’s my true cock-sucking sister.
J: I really love Dina Martina because she is smart enough to play dumb. Her character is lovable but scary, and she redefines what ‘drag’ can be. I like people who have the guts to break all the rules.
Time to lay your cards on the table now. Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders; Treasure, bin or auction off?
S: Hmmm, that’s difficult because I like Hillary and Bernie. Ok, I’d treasure Hillary the treasure, bin Bernie and definitely auction off Trump.
J: I would treasure Bernie, auction off Donald Trump – to a nice Mexican family, of course – and bin Hillary. Put her on the top shelf, please, next to MySpace and Monica Lewinsky’s stained dress.
Jackie, you recently dragged up as Sarah Palin. How was THAT?
J: I had so much fun. I was the lead singer of the band Van Palin, and I sang cleaned-up, Christian versions of Van Halen songs. All you kids out there, go Google Van Halen. And Sarah Palin. And Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump and Sherry Vine.
Well the kiddie-winkles can now tune into Sherry’s new online queer TV network. When does it launch, Sherry?
S: It launches on February 14th, so by the time this interview goes out we’ll be live. I’m so excited about it. The Internet is getting a whole lot gayer, honey. There’ll be original shows, specials, music videos, short films and more: all free at YouTube.com/MissSherryVine.
• National Treasures is on 12th March at the Coronet Theatre, London.
