Liverpool drag star, Athena Barbital, said RuPaul's Drag Race needs to open its doors to more alternative art before she would consider it.
Athena Barbital dominates Liverpool's drag scene as a conceptual living artwork, residing primarily in one of Victoria Street's most popular clubs - Heaven. Over the years, fans of Athena have seen her showstopping looks that twist horror and glamour into outrageously camp masterpieces.
Known to her close friends as Daniel Brownhill, Athena is taken from the Greek goddess of wisdom, war and handicrafts. Whereas Barbital comes from the common antiepileptic medication, phenobarbital, used to control seizures. With drag penetrating mainstream media via avenues deemed previously impossible for art of this sort, Athena said there's still a lot of work to be done at home.
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RuPaul's Drag Race has been the catalyst for launching drag careers over the last decade but it doesn't appear to be everyone's goal. Acknowledging the opportunities a spot in the competition can bring a queen, the 26-year-old told the ECHO : "They're undeniable.
"But I do think those people who are talented and charismatic would have found success anyway. [People like] Charity Kase already had thousands of followers without the need for the show."
An edgier, spookier rival to Drag Race has raised its head over the last few years in the form of Dragula. Somewhat similar in premise to RuPaul's show, Dragula has more focus on creativity, performance and everything in the realm of horror. Athena has been outspoken about her interest in the show given its more "accepting to all forms of drag" formula.
She said: "There's just so much more of a celebration of the alternative [on Dragula]. I feel like, with Drag Race, they've caught on to a lot of alternative queens but it's always one of those things where they say 'We love what you do, but have you done doing what everyone else does?"
Athena credited the likes of Comic-Con with helping her get her start in drag as she admired the unique costumes and celebrated extravagances. She explained Drag Race somewhat halts a queen's individuality as comedy is often viewed as the cornerstone of a winner.
She said: "I think there's a lot of stuff that you have to be good at to be on the show but that doesn't necessarily dictate what a good drag queen is on the outside." Referencing Snatch Game, a comedic character challenge, Athena added: "I don't necessarily think being good at celebrity impersonation is necessary to be good at drag. Snatch Game is like a cornerstone of the show. Don't get me wrong I love Snatch Game, but it's not everything."
The Heaven regular has never had her drag judged on a platform like either show before but said the door to Drag Race may not be all the way shut. Athena said: "I suppose you can never say never to anything really. But for now, it's not something I would consider applying for.
"I mean, they need to open the doors more for alternative drag. Yes, they have [Season 11 winner] Yvie Oddly, but they don't even have drag kings on the show at all. They don't have anything other than the idea of a queen. Drag kings and drag monsters need to be given the opportunity to showcase their art because they could do so amazing... much better than I!"
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