We were lucky enough to pull ourselves away from the rave and step into the mind-blowing world of Sasha Velour a few Friday’s ago. This is the queen who stole our souls with her epic lip-sync to Whitney Houston’s ‘Emotional’ seven years back in the finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 9. Fast forward to today, after experiencing Sasha’s latest spectacle, ‘The Big Reveal Live Show,’ we’re left asking questions like: Is drag losing its edge? Are some drag styles getting left in the dust by the mainstream?
Directed, written, and produced by Sasha herself, ‘The Big Reveal’ was her most intimate 90-minute rollercoaster of outrageous humour, heartwarming moments, and performances that had us gagging.
Sasha is proving she’s up there with the drag elite, from her knockout solo show “Smoke & Mirrors” to this international tour. We think of drag sensations like Jinx Monsoon, Bianca Del Rio, and Trixie Mattel – she’s in that league because her talent speaks volumes. Mixing drag, storytelling, and live art, Sasha took Broke on a journey that had us laughing ’til we cried… Lorna and I were in awe.
The show kicked off at The London Palladium with an aura of mystery. The stage was set like a vintage living room, complete with a lamp, side table and odd-looking blue armchair. As J-Lo’s ‘Waiting For Tonight’ pumped through the theatre, all eyes were on the empty stage until – boom – the armchair started moving… and there was Sasha, transforming it into a high-fashion statement right before our eyes.
In one skit, Sasha delved into the diversity of drag, showcasing different personas and highlighting the importance of inclusivity. And her lip-sync choices? From Stevie Wonder to Christina to Britney to old Hollywood classics and Dionne Warwick, she covered it all.
Then came the jaw-dropping moments: a disco ball headdress shining bright, Sasha smashing glass on herself for a powerful statement – she’s known for these audience-stirring reveals. In the next act, Sasha morphed into an angel straight out of ancient statues, a symbol of her journey filled with self-discovery and theatrical extravagance.
But it’s not all about the show. Sasha’s upbringing was showcased through childhood film footage, it told a tale of love and support from her parents and inspiration from her rebellious grandma, who ran with drag queens before it was cool and commercialised.
Sasha’s message is crystal clear: where there’s critique, there’s room for growth, and every performance brings a spark of hope. With ‘The Big Reveal Show,’ Sasha Velour cements her status as a global drag superstar and artist. Just like drag itself, she’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
Photography by Greg Endries, Mettie Ostrowski and Alexey Kim