Eurovision Semi-Final Features Exuberant Drag Performance

The Eurovision Song Contest is the perfect opportunity for exuberance and camp fun, and that’s exactly what was provided in the second semi-final on Thursday night. The global singing competition, hosted by Liverpool and Ukraine this year, is in its final week. The penultimate show saw UK presenters Alesha Dixon, Hannah Waddingham and Julia Sanina introduce the audience to the 'Queen Machine'. After stepping inside, they were quickly ‘transformed’ into drag queen alter egos.

Award-winning drag acts Miss Demeanour, Mercedes Bends and Tomara Thomas all played the role of the famous presenters. With energy and passion to match the contest participants, these drag queens radiated excitement and had the audience at Liverpool arena up and dancing. Bursting into a medley remix of iconic queer anthems relating to expressive freedom, including En Vogue’s ‘Free Your Mind’, Jessie Ware’s ‘Free Yourself’ and Ultra Naté’s ‘Free’, the three drag queens were joined by a large number of back-up dancers for an extravagant and unforgettable performance.

“Free yourself, keep on climbing up that mountain top,” sang the artists, directing their message to the cameras. Fans of Eurovision took to social media to express their joy at seeing drag performances represented with such pride on a global level. With the singing contest containing a long history of LGBTQ+ supporters, it meant a lot to many viewers to see passionate queer representation at the forefront of the show.

“Eurovision would be better if it was always hosted by Drag Queens tbh” said one viewer.

Another thanked the trio for the confident level of pride present during the performance. “At the time when people are trying to divide people up, 3 drag queens performing on the biggest european stage in the world to the song “Do What You Wanna Do” and “We Got Love” is so important. Thanks #eurovision”.

With many others calling it the “best act of the evening” and “the highlight of the contest so far”, it goes to show that fans of the Eurovision Song Contest are keen to see progressive and queer-friendly performances take place throughout the competition. The final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 hosted by the United Kingdom and Ukraine airs on Saturday, May 13.

Read related articles here:

Eurovision 2023: Three Stars From the Semi-finals Who May Just Win It All

Five Fun Eurovision 2023 Party Games

LGBTQ+ Performers in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023

Keep up to date with the latest myGnews

LGBTQ+ professionals, LGBTQ+ Graduates, LGBTQ+ professional network, LGBTQ+ professional events, LGBTQ+ networking events, LGBTQ+ Recruitment, LGBTQ+ Friendly organizations, LGBTQ+ Friendly companies, LGBTQ+ jobs