Amid the pandemic, the nightlife and entertainment industry has been put on pause, meaning that drag performers worldwide have been unable to earn an income and live shows have stopped taking place globally. Ultimately, this has taken a toll on the drag community. So, are drag artist being forgotten?
Due to the lockdown, drag artists from around the UK haven’t been able to perform in months, with many struggling to make ends meet. Most drag artists are self-employed, meaning that they aren't qualified for the furlough scheme. With queens out of work, the public has turned their attention to TV shows like Ru Paul’s Drag Race, forgetting about the magic that comes with drag live performances.
Before the pandemic, drag shows and clubs would be full of people that would pay to see the performers almost six times within the same week. Several queens such as Shania Pain and Lady Seanne have used social media to continue performing virtually. According to the Liverpool Echo, these queens entertain their fans by lip-syncing and dancing in front of web cameras.
The coronavirus outbreak has had a negative impact on drag performers around the world due to the restrictions placing many individuals out of work. Queens are expecting a rise in popularity on June 21st, says the Liverpool Echo, when the lockdown restrictions are lifted. We can only hope that the local community starts visiting drag shows again, allowing them to regain popularity.
Image: courtesy of Katie Wilson.
Comments