LayDee KinMee, The Yodelling Drag Queen is the principal performer and founder of the incredibly successful Sydney based, Drags To Bitches drag show.
I caught up with her to talk about all things drag and to find out exactly Who Is LayDee Kinmee?
Where did it all start?
One of the first things I wanted to know was how did this all come about, what inspired her to create the show, how long it’s been running, and what had dragged her into the theatre of drag.
And in true LayDee KinMee style, she answered with flare.
“LayDee was born whilst my alter ego was working on a cruise ship. I’ve always been very flamboyant and heavily into entertaining. I met a Drag Queen and thought it was something that I could do and do better (lol). I went out and started investing in frocks, wigs, jewels, and heels, and LayDee grew pretty quickly.”
“I entered a drag contest that was searching for a new cast member for their production shows. I won the competition and then joined the show, and that quickly lead to being a regular guest on a radio programme called Queer Out West and to writing a column in a local magazine.”
“My Drag Mother, Beverly Buttercup, heard me yodel at a non-drag gig and said that would be super camp if done in drag. I tried it out and it went OFF! Crowds went crazy for it and word quickly spread. This lead to Australia’s Got Talent which had a ripple effect leading to performances in NZ, South Korea, Austria, Denmark and the UK. “
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7YhFY1kS7Y – World Yodelling Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PW6bZlTyms – Australia’s Got Talent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytZpG4BTqCE – Australia’s Got Talent Semi Finals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLZu4ztvos0 – Australia’s Got Talent pre-interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kPPh-R_5ww&feature=emb_logo Vienna Boylesque Festival
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvm8RSJn7ks&feature=emb_logo – World Yodelling Day South Korea
For the Love of Entertainment
Even before LayDee made her name for herself she had wanted to create a drag production show because she loves entertaining, performing and sharing her talents with other likeminded people.
After all the success that came from Australia’s Got Talent, it took her a little longer to fully focus on writing and rehearsing the show – certainly more than was anticipated.
She persevered and built a dedicated team around her and two years later (2014), Drags to Bitches was born and they have not looked back.
What Makes You Special?
I asked LayDee what she thinks makes Drags to Bitches such a popular act and what makes them stand out against the rest?
“Drags To Bitches is more than just a show, we are a family. I think the love we have for our craft and for each other really can be felt by everyone in the room. We are proud of our show and of each other, and we always deliver our best. People can expect all the typical drag and gay anthems that they’d expect in a gay bar along but alongside some truly classy and sometimes perhaps cheeky tributes, to the world’s best divas. We have a fabulous array of costumes and wigs that go perfectly with our very eclectic repertoire. We can take you from tears to laughter to the dancefloor, our show really has it all.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz0WmNIRAfA&feature=emb_title – Drags to Bitches Showreel
LayDee KinMee is a multi-talented performer, entertainer and singer that has been performing nonstop for the last 10 years. She hosts approximately 200-300 events a year. In her own words, “I just love being on a microphone.”
“I have gigs that run weekly, monthly, bimonthly and then of course all the one-off events. I enjoy every facet of the industry. I am equally comfortable hosting as I am singing (and of course yodelling). Each type of show attracts a different audience and I love the challenge of reading a new room and making it lit. I am very excited to be part of All Things Entertainment so I can get my creative juices flowing and spend some more time on the writing and producing of the show (and maybe some new ones!”
Two final questions;
For anyone that has never been to a drag show, are there any rules or protocols that need to be observed?
LayDee says “Every drag performer is different. But I tend to like very few rules. I think the main rules are just to have fun whilst also being respectful.”
Do you have any advice for upcoming performers that would like to get involved in the world of drag?
“DON’T. It’ll take over your life. Lol…. But it is oh so much fun!”
This article was written by an in house writer at All Things Entertainment. To book Drags to Bitches for any performance, please contact us. Bookings@allthingsentertainment.com.au
