Life's A Drag... Sweet Sixteen, Cheryl & Hong Kong!

Don't reinvent the wheel, just make it better! Back with another addition of 'Life's A Drag', there's no better time to introduce Season 16 of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' with a certain 'Taiwanese' winner! Cheryl made it through the rain, proving she needed to 'Fight For This Love!' All Stars 9 served up twelve sickening weeks of charity! Hong Kong? Yes, HK serves complete Drag! 加油! 

Season 16 of RuPaul's Drag Race returned on January 5th 2024 with fourteen contestants ready to become America's Next Drag Race Superstar! Something told me that we were going to go 'Bananas!' 'Rate-A-Queen' was an actual choice, pitting the queens against each other with their own chance to score each other! Perching on a certain porch, the queens posed as the 'Ring Door Bell' took their photos! The Talent Show revealed a series of 'original songs' and variety act performances, 'Megami' knew what art she wanted to protect! 'Hershi, Mirage and Amanda' were the first three queens to leave the competition, things were just getting started. Skip to the girl group challenge because 'Nymphia, Geneva, Megami and Mhi'ya' were giving me life with their cover of 'A.S.M.R Lover!' Came from Taiwan just say 'Hello!' Vroom, vroom! The dollhouse was served on the runway, 'Q' took the win for that challenge. 'The Sound Of Rusic' brought a musical spectacle to the stage, it was 'Plasma's' time to work her 'triple threat' chops! Serving! 

Snatch Game made me laugh, winning the title had to be 'Plane Jane' as Serbian popstar, 'Jelena Karleuša'. 'Nymphia Wind' served 'Jane Goodall' for the love of monkeys and her beloved bananas! Corporate Queens changed the game with their 'Drag Awareness Seminars', 'Plane Jane' and 'Q' said that even Benjamin Franklin was a DQ! There was a meeting in the Ladies Room as 'Bathroom Hunties' saw the remaining queens pair up to decorate their own facilities. The whole process was so chaotic, I loved the bathroom that belonged to 'Plane Jane' and 'Sapphira Cristál!' 'Lazy Susan' she better don't! Dancers from 'Drag Race Live' were transformed into fabulous Drag Queens by the remaining girls. Shooting their own memoir covers, Ru gave a helping hand to 'Nymphia Wind'. The 'LipSync Lalaparuza Smackdown - Reunited' brought the eliminated queens back to fight for their spot again, it was a fierce showdown! Taking the crown home to 'Taiwan', it was ace to see 'Nymphia Wind' crowned! Oh!

'Popstars: The Rivals' had successfully formed a five piece boy and girl band, but one member of 'Girls Aloud' became my all time favourite 'Angel Of The North!' She's had more surnames than I have had hot dinners, now this icon has to be simply referred to as 'Cheryl'. This Geordie lass sent shock-waves through the UK music industry after one fateful night in a nightclub toilet but the band redeemed themselves, Chez apologised and the bands profile rose to meteoric heights. A 'Footballers Wife?' Yes, 'Cheryl' married football player 'Ashley Cole', that matrimonial decision triggered her first name change to 'Cheryl Cole' from 'Cheryl Tweedy'. With her much anticipated first solo project in the works, 'Girls Aloud' announced their expected hiatus kicking off in 2009. '3 Words' became 'Cheryl's first solo album and I was here for every single beat, 'Fight For This Love' will always be an anthem for me! 'Messy Little Raindrops', her second solo album blessed us with 'Promise This' and Raindrops!' 'Chez's dream of solo stardom came true! 

Cheryl became one of the most recognisable judges on 'The X-Factor' alongside 'Simon Cowell' and many other judges who have merely visited the judging panel. 'Cheryl' became a voice for those who came from an ordinary life who wanted to seize their dream, like she did on 'Popstars: The Rivals'. Like a true 'Queen', 'Cheryl' has served more incarnations and image changes, entering new era's with poise and relevance! Before the 'girls' reunited in 2012, 'Cheryl' released 'A Million Lights' with a bop of a lead single, 'Call My Name'. 'Girls Aloud' took to the stage for their reunion tour, it was clear to see 'Cheryl's' star power had risen higher! 'Fernandez-Versini?' Another marriage brought a further name change during her 'Crazy, Stupid, Love' era! I saw 'Cheryl' star in '2:22 A Ghost Story' at the 'Lyric Theatre' in London's West End during early 2023, flexing her acting chops showed us how talented she is! Yes, 'Cheryl' will always be a 'Queen!' Oh, 'Chez' has even been an 'Extra Special Guest Judge' on 'RuPaul's Drag Race UK!' 

All Stars 9 catapulted eight 'Ru-turning' queens Stateside to battle it out in the name of charity, not to mention the promise of a 'Beautiful Benefactress Badge!' Featuring 'Nina West', 'Vanessa Vanjie', 'Plastique Tiara', 'Roxxy Andrews', 'Jorgeous', 'Angeria Paris VanMichaels', 'Gottmik' and 'Shannel'. 'Drag Queens Save The World' was the 'Maxi Challenge' that kicked off the season with kicks, splits and killer verses served! The 'Fragrance' runway was everything! 'Keke Palmer' needs to be an 'Extra Special Guest Judge' every season! 'Plastique' smashed the 'Paint Ball' with her Cherry Blossom inspired creation, it looked effortless. 'The Snatch Game Of Love' served 'Liberace Realness!' Both 'Nina West' and 'Shannel' took it in turns to impersonate that flaming former entertainer! 'Smokin' Hot Firefighter Makeovers' changed the game with those hunky public service works, those new-found Drag Queens all set the runway on fire! 'Property Queens' had me in hysterics, those sketches were too much! Yes, 'Mama Ru' handed out those scissors! 

'The National Drag Convention Roast' was definitely a step up, the queens threw their shade hard! They did! Flexing their acting chops, 'RuPaul' dished out what she needed to her 8 daughters during their 'Meeting In The Ladies Room!' Counting their coins and badges, this non-elimination season was all in the same of charity with the 'Palette Fund' standing by AS9's side. Rooting for Season 1 legend 'Shannel' I was, she had been open about her anxiety to return but she had nothing to worry about! The 'Rusical' was upbeat and showcased everybody's talents, for me 'Shannel' and 'Plastique' both shone through! 'Vanjie' gave me a laugh when she was trying to record those song lyrics, we really got to know her! 'Rosemarie's Baby Shower' she better don't! Those 'Lip Sync Smackdown' spectacles were about to change the course of the competition. Ru doubled those badges but one winner could only be proclaimed! 'Angeria Paris VanMichaels' took the crown, awarding her charity those much deserved coins! You Ugly Bitch! 

Hong Kong stands proud as Asia's World City! This coastal metropolis has taken on many different identities in the past, from a 'Fragrant Harbour' that witnessed two 'Opium Wars' to a former 'British Overseas Colony'. H.K has transformed herself into a place where 'East Meets West', a definite blend of her Cantonese/Hong Konger colours work with those remnants of Britain's former colonial influence. Known was a 'Special Administrative Region', Hong Kong lies close to China's Mainland as a playground for those who want to experience a different kind of familiar. Skyscrapers tower over Hong Kong Island with Victoria Peak overlooking a million lights as each colour can be viewed in a neon fashion, it is a feeling of electric love! Hong Kong represents herself with a thousand flavours and aromas, from 'Cantonese' favourites such as 'Dim Sum' for breakfast and 'Roast Meats' for dinner! Hong Kong's 'Cha Chan Teng's resemble a British 'Greasy Spoon' with thick slices of buttery toast and condensed milk tea. H.K is major! 

From 'Tsim Sha Tsui' to 'Mong Kok', Hong Kong possesses a different style in every district and neighbourhood. During my most recent visit to that 'SAR', I made my peace with 'Victoria Harbour' as I was able to take it all in with a deeper appreciation. I loved taking the 'Star Ferry' with my dear friend, Kelly as we try and meet up when I am in town! Embracing the night scene within 'Lan Kwai Fong' brought me closer to something that I craved in the Mainland, I was able to see a full Drag showdown performed by some hot new 'Pinoy Queens!' Taking in an essence of H.K's 'OFW' vibe allowed me to get more familiar with that party area and ready me for my upcoming trip to the Philippines later on in the year. I still have so much to see in Hong Kong, there's always something I new that I want to check out! Hong Kong stands above Asia's competition, she serves her own flare and for that this 'World City' will continue to draw me back to those sights and delights. Like an icon on the 'RuPaul's Main Stage', H.K is a winner! 

You're A Winner, Baby! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure