[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” module_id=”main-header” module_class=”et-fixed-header” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_menu menu_id=”101″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” menu_text_color=”#ffffff” background_color=”#0a0a0a” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_menu][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”home” module_id=”Home” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Dragging the Spotlight” subhead=”Hong Kong’s Dazzling Drag Queen Culture” text_orientation=”center” header_fullscreen=”on” header_scroll_down=”on” admin_label=”Fullwidth Header” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|700|||||||” title_font_size=”66px” content_font_size=”19px” subhead_font=”|600|||||||” subhead_text_align=”center” subhead_font_size=”30px” subhead_line_height=”1.2em” background_enable_color=”off” background_enable_image=”off” parallax=”on” background_enable_video_mp4=”off” background_video_webm=”https:\/\/jmsc6110a.com\/2024\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/kaitou.mp4″ animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”50ms” animation_starting_opacity=”1%” title_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ subhead_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ text_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_image title_text=”WhatsApp Image 2024-04-24 at 14.04.41″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/jmsc6110a.com\/2024\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/WhatsApp-Image-2024-04-24-at-14.04.41.jpeg” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_image][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#0a0a0a” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”|200px||200px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
I am Tina<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n In 1995, Tina UglyHaira was inspired by the idea that her friend Dakko shared with her, \u201cWhy don\u2019t we do this together!\u201d After almost 30 years, she became what we know today – the most experienced drag queen star in Hong Kong, her face is the icon of the local drag show industry.<\/p>\n “I agreed to join was because I love the style of drag, it’s so beautiful you know.”<\/p>\n Dakko – also named Dakkolilian in the drag queen world, is Tina\u2019s best friend and also became a drag queen a few years earlier than Tina. Back then, Tina was just Dakko\u2019s helper in doing his drag show customs and accessories redesign, and makeups. What is essential to know is that making a unique custom from scratch is the required ability for every drag queen, even if some garments are bought from shops, they will still choose to develop some of their own design in an attempt to stand out on stage. Apart from making suitable on-stage outfits, makeup weighs the same importance. That is why – Tina got her diploma in a professional makeup school in 1998 and started to move on to her bright future in drag.<\/p>\n The beginning of the story was when Tina won the 4th prize in a drag queen competition, and she joked about it, \u201cI don\u2019t get it, com\u2019on, I should be the first.\u201d We laughed, but we agreed with what she said. She is a great drag artist, even after so many years her friend who led her to the industry already quit. She still loves this job with her whole heart.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t follow anyone, I follow myself.\u201d She explained while we asked her why she chose to stay even after two of her best friends quit this job.<\/p>\n Apart from Dakko, Kyla is another best friend of Tina, three of them formed a group named TDK. Tina and her best partners cooperate with each other throughout the years before 2017, successfully promoting TDK to be a term that equals \u201cgreat quality drag show\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are the advertisement.\u201d Tina said.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Performance” module_id=”performance” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”I dance, and I perform” text_orientation=”center” header_fullscreen=”on” header_scroll_down=”on” admin_label=”Fullwidth Header” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|600|||||||” title_font_size=”60px” content_font_size=”19px” subhead_text_align=”center” subhead_font_size=”47px” background_enable_color=”off” background_image=”https:\/\/jmsc6110a.com\/2024\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/WhatsApp-Image-2024-04-24-at-14.04.41.jpeg” parallax=”on” background_enable_video_mp4=”off” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”50ms” animation_starting_opacity=”1%” title_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ subhead_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ subhead_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” text_shadow_style=”preset2″ text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#0a0a0a” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”|200px||200px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Tina did pay a lot of effort to become a famous drag queen at the time she started. She showed us the scar on her thigh and told us she never stopped practising her dancing skill even now she\u2019s already at the age of 52. Just opposite her house, there is a studio which could rent by hours, that is where she holds most of her rehearsal.<\/p>\n \u201cI create most of my dances in everyday life, I absorb inspiration from everywhere, maybe just an action a stranger made in a supermarket, that\u2019s all I need.\u201d Tine shines with her confidence when she says so.<\/p>\n 2000 was a very special year in Tina\u2019s memory, the \u201cbig party\u201d held that year left Tina with unforgettable excitement. \u201cIt was the biggest party we\u2019ve ever had, even until now.\u201d Siren was the company Tina was working for, which had brought her so many miracles.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are responsible organiser, when you have an idea like, I want to perform this song and they will prepare you with suitable drag custom and accessories, even schedule the drag stage or contact other drag queens to be your drag show partner.\u201d<\/p>\n An organiser like this, Siren, had prepared a magnificent three-floor drag party at IHG Hong Kong back then in 2000, around 40 drag queens were participating and performing like nowadays in Disneyland. Rather than seeing princesses walking around, audiences got to see their \u201cqueens\u201d.<\/p>\n After many years now, Tina no longer has Siren around as the owner passed away a few years ago. \u201cMy organiser is now Justin, a Netherlander, who is taking care of my career business.\u201d While talking about income, Tina was saying it straight forward, \u201cnot many shows happening this month, I feel like people really have cut their budget of entertainment.\u201d<\/p>\n But Tina’s not worried, she has Justin and her influence on Instagram, she knows that she will stay forever for drag, even when facing struggle, because that\u2019s what she loves.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”2623,2519,2515,2516″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”|300px||300px|false|false” caption_text_shadow_style=”preset3″ caption_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0.21em” caption_text_shadow_color=”#E02B20″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”16px” custom_padding=”|200px||200px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n I been down, but I\u2019m stronger than I thought<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThere was a period of time I really disappeared in public, I couldn’t remember how long, but when I came back, it was 2017.\u201d<\/p>\n The fact was Tina suffered from depression and panic attacks for a long time, when she returned, she called her friend Coco, who is also a popular drag queen. \u201cI said I really need to find my confidence back, and Coco said, no problem, she will arrange for me to perform on stage with her.\u201d<\/p>\n Tina paused a little bit to trace back her memory, \u201cIt was a rebirth.\u201d At the time Coco introduce her saying the next one is Tina UglyHaira, Tina\u2019s legs were shaking, but as soon as she stood in the middle of the stage, \u201cI suddenly switched my personality into the drag queen Tina, I enjoy their scream and gaze, all of the audience are looking at me, but I am not afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n There was once Tina couldn\u2019t even speak to her friends normally, however on that day, \u201cI raise my hands to dance, like I have never left for so long.\u201d<\/p>\n Tina UglyHaira became Tina\u2019s salvation, made her face to the importance of drag shows in her life, and that is also when she realised, she could use her energy helping more people to recognise the value of drag shows, and even the bright side of LGBT groups.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, before I never thought about taking on such responsibilities, now I do not just charities, but I am having a daughter, it\u2019s similar to the identity of an apprentice, but in the drag world, we teach our daughter everything we know about drag.\u201d<\/p>\n Tina\u2019s daughter, Venom UglyHaira, is the youngest drag queen in Hong Kong, aged 17. \u201cWe explore how to make suitable stage music for her, I taught her how to do lip-sing, and I will teach her more until there is no more to teach.\u201d<\/p>\n The moment when Tina said she would like to take the responsibility to change people\u2019s mind about \u201ca drag queen\u201d, she was mentioning the time when she was discriminated by texi drivers back in 2010.<\/p>\n \u201cYea, they think you are some weird lady-boy so they can\u2019t be bothered to stop for you.\u201d<\/p>\n While Tina was explaining to us over the differences between a lady-boy, transgender guy and a drag queen, we could tell that she is trying hard to not let people misunderstand the nature of their job.<\/p>\n \u201cI am who I am, we are just good actresses, like Chinese Opera – Qing Yi.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Sv7Kyw-SFMA” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|100px||100px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Meta Stage” module_id=”stage” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Creating a comfortable performance venue” text_orientation=”center” header_fullscreen=”on” header_scroll_down=”on” admin_label=”Fullwidth Header” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|600|||||||” title_font_size=”60px” content_font_size=”19px” subhead_text_align=”center” subhead_font_size=”47px” background_enable_color=”off” background_image=”https:\/\/jmsc6110a.com\/2024\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/DSC06541-scaled.jpg” parallax=”on” background_enable_video_mp4=”off” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”50ms” animation_starting_opacity=”1%” title_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ subhead_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ subhead_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” text_shadow_style=”preset2″ text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#0a0a0a” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”16px” custom_padding=”|200px||200px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Nowadays, Hong Kong\u2019s drag shows are mainly found in bars and restaurants. Despite the limited number of drag queens in Hong Kong, they continue to showcase the industry’s highlights by selecting comfortable venues and focusing on the quality of their performances. This approach encourages more people to take a moment and learn about their world.<\/p>\n According to the latest statistic from the JMSC, eight dining venues in Hong Kong have held drag shows in the past decade.<\/p>\n Let’s explore the footprints left by these drag queens together.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]