Snow White Trash is the UK’s #saxydragqueen tooting her horn and singing live all over the world. Here, she tells Graham Robson what she’s been up to, highlights some of the best online performances she has seen from her drag queen sisters, and shares what she’ll be doing, in the nuddy, once this is all over…
Hey, how’s it going?
Hello! What a bizarre world we’re living in. First off, I want to say a huge thank you to the NHS and all the front line and essential workers across the country putting their health at risk to look after us. You are all incredible. Being a Drag Queen can seem insignificant when the UK’s on lockdown, but hopefully entertainers like me can still bring some laughter, joy, and music to people’s lives.
During this time I have been STAYING INSIDE (I’m looking at you with your BBQ on Brighton beach and seven friends, Karen) and washing my hands. I’m also very lucky to have my partner who – usually works at Kindling Restaurant on East Street – at home with me. He’s the restaurant manager but is also an amazing cook so I’m not going hungry by any means!
I’ve also been doing some live shows over on my Facebook page.
How are they going down?
The response has been incredible. People who might not get to see me perform regularly (like my parents who live in Chicago) are getting to watch me sing and play the saxophone in a wig and a dress on their phone screens sat in their living rooms! The wonders of technology. The people talking live in the comments is a little like being in bar as well. I just hope everyone watching has a glass of something in their hand!
The shows are completely free but I do accept tips via Payapl
Must be quite different to performing to a sea of faces in person…
Nothing will ever compare to the buzz of a packed bar, a microphone in your hand, a half a lager some drunk idiot spilt down the back of your dress five minutes before you were meant to go on… But there is still a weird thrill in performing to an empty living room. I think it actually takes more confidence because you don’t get the instant gratification from an audience. You really need to believe in yourself and trust in what you can do because you haven’t got a bar cheering you on.
Having said that, I’ve actually been very lucky to have a few of my lovely neighbours watch from a socially acceptable distance through the window! That really helps: actual applause. Even if they are all sat two metres apart on garden chairs.
Have you seen any other good stuff online?
Yes! Facebook is now lit up with performers barking at you from their living rooms and it is a JOY. A few highlights include:
Spice’s Fact Hunt, which shouldn’t be hard to miss – it’s a great pub quiz every Friday on Spice’s Facebook page live from Lanzarote.
Cherry Bomb’s Blankety Blank – I was a contestant recently and it was a hoot. Six people on Zoom on her TV, then her on Facebook live doing Blankety Blank with the audience. Chaos. Hysterical. I believe she’s going to be doing The Price Is Right as well. 90s TV Game Shows and Drag Queens, what more could you want?! Check out Cherry’s Facebook page!
The Bedford Tavern’s Piano Bingo (without a Piano) – Over on Adam Brook’s Facebook page, he’s running his infamous Piano Bingo from his own living room with ahem“special assistance” from his husband, Tony. Carnage. Alcohol required.
Any tips to keep us from going insane during lockdown?
I’ve seen a lot of things on how to stay productive and start new things and how to stay creative but honestly if you don’t want to then don’t. Take the time to breathe! Do nothing. Sleep! Do not put pressure on yourself. Try not to compare yourself to Kyle and Stacy who are running for an hour every day, completing 27 jigsaws a week, and have learnt Spanish, Hungarian, and rudimentary Klingon. You do you babes. Go watch Moana. Again.
What are your plans for when this is all over?
Fine, I’ll finally put clothes back on. Actually, screw clothes, I’m going to the nudist beach. Who’s coming?
Anything you miss?
I miss mooching. You know, just having a mooch around town with some pals. Wondering around the Laines, having a drink in a pub, then another, then another… I moved to Brighton last year from London and I love living in the centre of town and being able to walk everywhere.
I also really miss the tight-nit community I made here so quickly. I was welcomed so beautifully by the people here, they support me so much and I’m very lucky.
We’re going to miss Brighton & Hove Pride…
I feel very sorry for all the charities and local businesses that will be directly affected by the cancellation. It’s the biggest event of the year for them and hopefully Brighton can come back and support them when the time right. Obviously, we must put people’s health first and I understand the reasons why Prides across the country have been cancelled this year. Let’s hope the weather’s crap!
Perhaps Mrs Moore, Lola Lasagne, Rose Garden, Sally Vate, and I can do a Pussycat Dolls Drag Tribute Act on Facebook live? Shotgun Nicole.
Any words of wisdom to keep us going?
Stay inside. Wash your hands. Hug the people in your household often.
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