Featured Queen: Vinegar Strokes
Vinegar Strokes is a 31 year-old queen from London who started drag on Halloween in 2014.
Read our interview with Vinegar below!
What inspired you to start doing drag?
I hadn't actually thought of doing Drag until I was asked to perform some stand up comedy in drag, I hesitated at first, until they said they were going to pay me so then I was more than happy to do it. Once I did it, I got the bug for it and I've never looked back.
How does drag make you feel?
Drag makes me feel quite powerful and in the moment. It's a great feeling when you are commanding the room and making people smile. Also, Drag allows me to be at my most creative, which is important to me.
Who are you inspirations for your drag persona?
My stand up comedy is inspired by the likes of Joan Rivers, Lisa Lampanelli, Whoopi
Goldberg, Gina Yashere, Kathy Burke, Mickey Flanagan, Eddie Murphy and Wanda Sykes to name but a few. But from the Drag world I'm inspired by Lady Bunny, Kiki and Herb, Lily
Savage, Bianca Del Rio, Jinkx Monsoon, Myra Dubois, Dixie Longate and Charlie Hides
Who are your three all time favourite Queens?
Lily Savage, Lady Bunny, Bianca Del Rio
Do you have a specific look you like to go for, or does your look vastly vary?
I love a good jumpsuit and big hair!
What would be your ultimate ambition you would like to achieve through drag?
Going mainstream as Drag Queen Stand Up Comedian
Where do you perform?
I normally perform at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in South London.
What are some of your favourite songs to perform?
If I'm ever performing with a pianist, I love to play around with songs and create unique medleys, my latest one mixes up Lana Del Rey, The Darkness, "Don't Rain On My Parade" from Funny Girl and "When You're Good To Mama" from Chicago. But I love to sing anything by Postmodern Jukebox, I think their versions of current pop songs are AMAZING!!
If you could only have 3 makeup products to do your drag makeup for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?
My base colour to cover up the boy face
A jumbo black eyeliner to do my eyes, eyebrows, lips and contour (BLEND BLEND BLEND!!)
Massive lashes, top and bottom just to bring this subtle look together
What is your one favourite piece of fashion or accessory from your wardrobe?
It's got to be my signature sequin jumpsuit
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
I see myself touring with my own comedy/cabaret shows and working in TV in some shape or form as
a writer or performer
What's your opinion on the recent increase in popularity of drag, due to things such as RuPaul's Drag Race?
I think its great! Drag is such an amazing and important art form that it should be recognised. I think Rupaul's Drag Race is a great starting point for people to experience what drag is and to be inspired, but it is also important to look at all types drag, the history as well other amazing performers and artists out there don't come from Drag Race, but are equally just as fabulous and inspiring.
Anything else we should know about Vinegar?
I host my very own quiz night at a fried chicken restaurant in Soho called Ma' Plucker every Sunday night from 7pm
I have my debut cabaret show, "Qualified Actress" coming to the Royal Vauxhall Tavern on 15th April
Website: thevinegarstrokes.com
Twitter: @StrokesVinegar
Instagram: theonlyvinegarstrokes
---Ma' Plucking Quiz Night at Ma'Plucker Every Sunday---
Visit maplucker.com to book your team in
