An ode to Olivia Newton John.
Bayreuth Festival 2023. A sweltering 34 degrees. I came off stage to a WhatsApp video from my sister saying ONJ had passed and I was taken aback by how much of a gut punch it was. I wept.
Where were you when you heard?
“Hopeless Devoted to You” was everyone’s hairbrush song. And quite a painful torch song to the icon she was.
Grease and Xanadu were on repeat in chez Chocolat. Vale, ONJ. Loved and missed. ❤️🩹💞
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#love #olivianewtonjohn #hope #theatre #cabaret #singer #restinpeace #queer #black #icon #heartbroken #pink
“This Is My Life” for and to Dame Shirley Bassey. Honouring the 86 year old legend at the Attitude Awards last night.
Many might not know this most nuanced detail; both DSB and I are of dual heritage- she’s Welsh/Nigerian, I’m British/Nigerian. When the cameras weren’t furiously snapping, I whispered this in her ear; I British Nigerian and you’re Welsh “Nigerian”- she turned and hugged me. AGAIN. I said “Thank you, Dame Shirley” and she said “no, thank you” - it was then I lost it.
I made sure to cry it all out before that I may properly pay tribute to an icon whose shoulders many stand on.
Thank you, Attitude for the august privilege and to house of Chocolat; my sis- Winnie, Liz, Connor, Gia, Jo, Jared, Phillip Shaw, David Merriman whose musical choices always capture my soul and intention… with you, I’m never a drag queen. Your love, friendship and skill anchored me last night.
“Don’t you ever sing that song again”- she said, through tears, as she accepted her award and emailed the day after to repeat the sentiment.
ALL this happened after BOY GEORGE had introduced me, Russell Tovey and Mawaan had presented me with the culture award AND Amanda Holden (who’d fallen in love with my sister) burst into my dressing room to tell me she run her DNA and found Nigeria in it. SHE was a comedy sketch. “Nigeria but also Germany so… you know there’s A LOT to process. Pointing to the kettle in the dressing room- are you having that cos if not, I will” - she kept going till her husband, Chris, had to yank her out of the room. HILARIOUS!
What a night.
None of it quite makes sense. One day, it might. I shared it with my loved ones that we may all mark what we knew would be a life event and it was.
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#love #drama #black #proud #gay #beautiful #queer #blue
The last 2 nights; McQueen’s music at the Royal Festival Hall with the London Contemporary Orchestra.
Today, Chicago. The “Come as you aren’t ball” for David Schwimmer and Looking Glass Theatre.
Who needs sleep? Who is she? 😩🥴
#fashion #opera #travel #queer #love #lovemyjob
Tonight and tomorrow, the sensational @legateauchocolat takes the Royal Festival Hall stage with the @lcorchestra conducted by @robertamesmusic .
Part of @southbankcentre 's Multitudes Festival, this spectacular show featuring choreography by Holly Blakey and Michael Clark is a celebration of Lee Alexander McQueen's iconic body of work and the music behind it.
#legateauchocolat #londoncontemporaryorchestra #southbankcentre
Home. Normal service has resumed for ONE whole minute.
After that minute; two shows at the Royal Festival Hall; Wed & Thurs. Fly to america on Friday morning. Fly to New York a few hours after I land. A short snooze, fly back to Chicago; David Schwimmer’s “ Come as you aren’t” ball, Saturday night. Fly home on Sunday.
#home #peace #love #summer #orchestra
Right, well, that was that. Goodbye Mexican summers and heart failure rehab. Time to get back to work.
First stop; “Unnatural Harmony” - the sounds of McQueen with the London Contemporary Orchestra followed very closely (the next day) by “Come as your aren’t” ball for David Schwimmer and The Looking Glass Theatre Company.
The Summer season has entered the chat.
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#love #holiday #summer #fashion #queer
JUST ANNOUNCED 💋 🔥
Your world within a world has arrived - Auckland Live Cabaret Festival is back for 2026! Lose yourself in The Civic this winter as it transforms into a playground of music, burlesque, theatre, comedy, and all things cabaret.
Come and discover your new favourite night out - your ticket to the extraordinary is waiting!
🎟️ Link in bio
📍The Civic
🗓️ 24 June – 5 July 2026
Is it summer where you are? YUP!
In other news, as I’ve had ZERO health incidents, over the last 3 years, I thought I better get one; my abdominal hernia asked “this dress?
Me and the dress, emphatically chorused: “Yes!”.
Imagine telling me what to wear, do, sing, read.. ha!
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#love #fashion #Black #holiday #summer
Cocteau’s Circle. Australian Chamber Orchestra.
An exercise in stoning costumes and near impossible quick changes. The dangerously fun kind; seconds and you miss your cue. I did one night.
Next; Unnatural Harmony: Sounds of Lee Anderson McQueen. Royal Festival Hall. London Contemporary Orchestra.
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#love #black #ballgown #orchestra #fashion
Early March 2025, I debuted Bass Diva in Rotterdam, with the Ruisi quartet.
It was sold out. How? I couldn’t possibly say. I’d never been.
It was my 1st gig back after my heart disease diagnosis. The new meds, especially Furosemide; a diuretic, was wreaking havoc of my voice. After the first 2 songs, my voice left the building. I came clean to the audience; “I feel like I’m being betrayed by my body. Furemide is a diuretic and no matter how much I drink, I’m still dehydrated.
All technique no voice.
That was before my mic decided to follow suit and leave the building. For the love of Jessye Norman, can you give me a break!!?!
It was an extraordinarily humbling evening; intimate dialogue with over 300 strangers.
#theatre #love #Joy #black #queer
