Living the Barbie Land fantasy

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This article was published 28/07/2023 (785 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

‘I never had a Barbie of mine growing up, but I’ve become the Barbie I always wanted,” Lady Fortuna says.

The drag queen, who regularly performs at venues across the city, is the brains behind tonight’s Hi, Barbie! Drag Show and Dance Party at Club 200.

“Each queen and king that I asked to be part of the show brings something so unique to it,” says Lady Fortuna, who has a assembled a lineup at the downtown club that includes Queen Adrian, Prairie Sky, Joss, Ruby Chopstix, Zova Da Silva, Kymera, Orion Sbelt, Marquesa, the Yellow Belle and Edyn Peaches, to name just a few.

“They are one-of-a-kind collectibles for the show and will be donning the persona of the different types of Barbies, with all their various styles and careers.”

Drag queens have always had an affinity for Barbie as a hyper-feminine fantasy.

The doll’s ethos — “If you can dream it, then you can be it” — is particularly resonant when placed in the context of drag, where gender norms are gleefully subverted and the traditional ideas of what it means to be masculine or feminine are challenged.

The unashamedly pink-loving blond, with her sparkly accessories, impeccable style and impossibly high heels — just look at the arch of her foot — has always appealed to Lady Fortuna.

“I always wanted to do a Barbie show and as soon as the movie (trailers) came out and we got hints of what it would be about, I was really quick on getting my performers and getting a list of what I needed and wanted for it. I set the bar high for myself so hopefully I can deliver on the day of.”

Playing dress-up as Barbie is very much like being in drag, she says. The ability to style yourself any way you want to and express yourself by taking on different characters is something she finds highly appealing.

“Obviously no one is like that in real life,” she says. “It is a fantasy and there is a sense of comfort and belonging with that. Being able to express myself through Barbie makes me feel like I belong. To see her on the big screen… I get to relive that childhood fantasy again.”

Providing music for the event will be DJ J. Jackson, who will be playing songs from the Barbie soundtrack — which includes tracks by Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX and Lizzo — as well as sparkly pop and disco tunes.

“It’s a bit of a dance party as well, and you will hear really positive and upbeat songs, lots of pop throughout all the different eras,” Jackson says. “There is a real element of camp to Barbie and her exaggerated femininity works really well for drag. It will be a celebration of Barbie as an entity in herself.”

“As soon you walk into Club 200, I want everyone to feel like they are in Barbie Land,” says Lady Fortuna, who adds that, unlike at movie screenings, guests won’t be able to pose in life-size Mattel packaging.

“I want everyone to step out of their box and live their Barbie Land fantasy,” she says.

av.kitching@winnipegfreepress.com