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The life of a drag queen

Natalie Hemengül
2.10.2019
Translation: Eva Francis
Pictures: Thomas Kunz

Vitor is a reserved man, while Victoria is an extroverted woman. And yet somehow they’re the same person.

Victoria oozes confidence as she poses in front of the camera in a transparent dress. The nude-coloured fabric hugs her figure and the black patent boots elongate her already slender legs. She’s playing innocently with her blonde hair while she lets her faux fur jacket slide off her left shoulder. For a moment I forget that there’s actually a man hiding beneath this dress and all the elaborate make-up.

Meet Vitor Hugo Souza, drag queen and creator of the fictional character Victoria Shakespears – his female alter ego, as he calls it. Today he’s letting me and photographer Thomas Kunz go behind the scenes and witness his transformation process.

Teenage dreams

I look down at my feet and am met with a pair of pink, feathery slippers. «Here you go. These might fit you,» says Vitor, while also handing Thomas a pair. Size 42. There’s a smell of baking in the air. «I hope you’re hungry,» Vitor remarks, explaining he’s made something especially for us. He seems shy. Shy and yet at the same time warm and welcoming.

That’s why he dresses up as a woman in his spare time and appears on stage as Victoria Shakespears. The dainty 25 year old’s stage name is a slight modification of his own name. Shakespeare paired with a bit of Britney sass ensures just the right amount of drama, romance and acting. These are aspects that fit with his appetite for Brazilian soap operas. «My drag alter ego is a pop princess with a touch of Latina,» he goes on to explain.

«At school most of the boys had their favourite superhero. I, on the other hand, had a soft spot for pop divas, such as Britney Spears and Mariah Carey. I wanted to be like them. And adopting the Victoria Shakespears persona finally let me act out this fantasy.»

But acting out fantasies doesn’t seem to be so easy for everyone. It has been two months since Vitor’s debut performance at «Bar Rouge» in Basel. «Since then I keep getting messages on Instagram from men who tell me how much they want to perform as drag queens but don’t because they’re scared of how their family and friends might react.» That’s not a problem Vitor can relate to.

«My social circle has been supportive, especially my fiancé. He works in the theatre in London so the concept of men in fancy dress is pretty normal to him.»

Becoming Victoria

It’s clear that there’s no place for negative vibes in his pink one-bedroom realm. Double doors open onto the living room and give a view of the bedroom and the vast wall of mirrors. This is Vitor’s dressing table, where his transformation takes place. On the floor next to his bed sits an oversized teddy, as though it also wants to see how Vitor turns into Victoria.

Not a boy, not yet a woman

The curtain drops

«Drag is all about individuality. Each queen has their own style, talent and personality. Pitting yourself against others doesn’t make any sense.»

It’s now time for Vitor to put on his wig and concentration takes over from conversation. Quiet and pensive, Vitor presses the wig onto his skin with the pointy end of his comb to get it to stick. If you look closer at the wig, you can see welds of extensions – in the style of Britney Manier. While Vitor is fully focussed on his hairpiece, Thomas and I use the time to glance into Vitor’s wardrobe.

Back in the room, Vitor’s wig is on but he’s not there any more. Victoria has taken his place.

Do I know you?

«Drag outfits aren’t comfortable. Sitting down is especially unpleasant because practically the whole weight of your body is pressing on your privates.»

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As a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions. 


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