Deadly divas - best Indigenous drag acts to look out for this Mardi Gras

Bold, beckoning and Black, Indigenous performers are dominating the drag scene

Nova Gina, one half of Dreamtime Divas, performs at Fruitopia Fairday 2016 Source: Facebook / Nova Gina

Miss Ellaneous

Larrakia performer Miss Ellaneous has entertained audiences for more than 15 years, and raised awareness of issues affecting Indigenous LGBTI people. Source: Facebook

Miss Ellaneous has been entertaining audiences for over 15 years. Based in Melbourne, but originally from the Top End, this glitzy celebrity is a familiar face at events from Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to Darwin Festival, and the NAIDOC Ball. However, she is no stranger to jet-setting, MC-ing, acting and doing solid impersonations in global major cities like London, New York and Toronto.

 

Signature style: A fashion designer and who finds creative ways to incorporate the Aboriginal flag onto glitter frocks, but has also been known to swap her heels for a pair of thongs, and introduced her alter-ego Miss Bogan Villea to Mardi Gras 2017. 

Nana Miss Koori

Nana Miss Koori, the dolled-up diamond-wearing drag from Sydney's Inner City (Facebook) Source: Facebook

Bringing glitz and glamour to The Block, Redfern’s Nana Miss Koori comes to life in the city spotlight, performing on her father’s country, Gadigal land.

She is a regular performer at Club Redfern, but frequently travels across NSW including Lightning Ridge, Walgett, Moree and Gilgandra. She's known for singing well-loved classic pop hits from the 60s, 70s and the 80s, Nana Miss Koori takes audiences on a journey from Petula Clark to Whitney Houston.  

Signature style: Ruffles. Lots of Ruffles.

Destiny Haz Arrived

Source: Supplied

“My ancestors taught me to disco,” says the proud Bundjalung performer. Destiny is at the top of the drag game, bringing her disco to national events in major cities. She even performed with Jessica Mauboy at the 2015 Mardi Gras. Destiny made a real name for herself with her Wonder Woman outfit which she wore leading the First Nations’ float at the 2013 parade. She swapped out the golden lasso for a golden boomerang, naturally.  

Destiny’s Wonder Woman was recently the spokesperson for ‘Your Destiny’ campaign, promoting HIV prevention, treatment and testing amongst Indigenous Australians.  

Signature style: Destiny isn’t afraid to show off a little skin, and with those legs, nor should she be.

Josie Baker

Josie Baker performing at the Miss First Nation drag pageant (Joseph Mayers) Source: Joseph Mayers

A fun and flirtatious drag act from Darwin (now based in Sydney) is the former crowned queen who took the inaugural Miss First Nation title 2017. She's the all-singing, all-dancing showstopper, driven by helping LGBTQI+ youth feel comfortable in their own skin.  

Josie has been entertaining since 2004, and still makes her own costumes to this day. She bares the name 'Josie Baker' influenced by Josephine Baker, the first black woman to star in a motion picture. 

Signature style: Blonde Bombshell with a generous serve of gold glitter.

Isla Fukyah

Isla Fukyah performs at the Miss First Nation pageant Source: NITV

Based in Darwin, this "real good honey" likes to be big and beautiful, with electric colours and powerful costuming. She's a comedic lipsynch-er extraordinaire and does a mean, "Leave Britney Alone!!" performance.    

Signature style: Cyberpunk princess

Star Aqua Galactica

Source: Facebook

Take a trip out of this world with the persona of Arrente, Gurindji and Worimi man, Yagan Satour. Sci-fi goddess ‘Star Aqua Galatica’ is on a mission to battle racism and discrimination through universes and galaxies beyond. New to the drag scene, Melbourne-based Star Aqua Galatica’s impressive multimedia spectacular is a new generation of drag performance, with her face starring at audiences from video screens.

Signature style: Metallic on a mission

Dreamtime Divas

Source: Facebook

Dunghutti performer Nova Gina and her partner, Lacey Dunaman may be from the sleepy town of Bellimbopinni on the mid-coast of NSW, but their act is nothing but a wake-up call. The black, gay men from rural Australia perform around the Kempsey region, entertaining (and in some cases, educating) the large population of retirees, fishers and farmers.

Signature style: Double-dayum! En pointe matching costumes