Six years ago, graduate student Rachel Battaglia wanted to celebrate coming out during Pride Week, so she attended The Official MSU Drag Show to experience something new.
Battaglia said she had never been to a drag show before, but she ended up having so much fun, including being pulled up to the stage by a drag queen, that she has attended every show since.
“Every year the crowd gets bigger,” she said. “There’s more chairs and more people.”
Battaglia was one of hundreds of students who filled the International Center on Friday night for the drag show, which was hosted by the University Activities Board, the Residence Halls Association and the Respecting Individuals on Neutral Grounds, or RING, student group.
The show lasted more than three hours and consisted of about 10 drag queens and kings lip-synching and dancing to popular songs in front of an audience of about 650 people.
Glitter, sequins and sky-high heels were a theme of the night as participants strutted their stuff to hits from artists such as Mariah Carey and Nikki Minaj.
RING President Briandra Turner said more than 800 people were in line before the show, but some had to be turned away. At one point, show organizers announced anyone that left the room would have to stand in line again for re-entry.
Turner said it was exciting to know lots of people wanted to come to the drag show, especially people from different sexual orientations.
“I’m satisfied with how it went,” she said. “I was glad to see so many kings (performing).”
Lansing resident Ra’Shun Ross, who performed in the show under the name Dice Santana, said he has performed in drag shows for more than two years but always experiences a rush from being on stage.
Wearing a red leather jacket, he said the crowd’s energy made him excited to dance, but it was hard work.
“I’m ready to collapse,” he said with a laugh at the end of the show.
Battaglia said it was mind-blowing to see so many people in the audience for an event she called the highlight of the school year.
“It shows people are open to the experience, which is good,” she said.
Turner said a lot of the publicity for the event was spread by word of mouth, especially from people who had attended the show in years past and had a good time.
Battaglia said the show is different every year, but she always enjoyed watching the variety of performances. She said her two favorite parts this year were the performers’ dancing and the jokes from the host, Toledo, Ohio-based Hershae Chocolatae, who was decked out in glittery dresses that she changed during nearly every break.
Ross said he enjoyed seeing how large the crowd was and how interactive everyone was with the performers.
“It’s amazing to see (so much) support,” he said. “It’s always a good opportunity.”
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