In a remarkable comeback, The Vivienne, the first drag queen to perform on ITV’s Dancing on Ice, skated her way into the final three despite a stumble during her solo skate. This comes at a time when drag culture is facing intense backlash in the UK and the US. The Vivienne’s triumph on a mainstream platform like Dancing on Ice not only highlights her talent as a performer, but also her advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.
Screaming and this 😂😂😂 my good friend Andi Martine x pic.twitter.com/6UyhvaD5qz
— TheVivienne (@THEVIVIENNEUK) March 6, 2023
In an interview with hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, The Vivienne expressed her gratitude for being able to perform in the semi-finals, particularly during a time when the LGBTQ+ community is under attack. She emphasized that drag is nothing but entertainment and a fun way to express oneself.
Incredible… history in the making for our community. For skating, for drag, for all. https://t.co/iEyj14oWFr
— Matt Evers (@TheMattEvers) March 5, 2023
The Vivienne’s song choice for her skate, “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” was especially poignant for the drag superstar. As a young boy, The Vivienne fell in love with The Wizard of Oz, finding solace in the story of Dorothy’s journey to a better place. This song, she said, means so much to the LGBTQ+ community as it symbolizes hope and the promise of a brighter future.
Despite the anti-LGBTQ+ hate currently permeating society, The Vivienne’s performance on Dancing on Ice proves that the public can still appreciate and celebrate drag culture. With a score of 39.5 out of 40, The Vivienne is now one step closer to winning the competition and defying those who seek to shut out drag queens from public life.
Fans of The Vivienne are eagerly anticipating the Dancing on Ice final, set to air on Sunday, 12 March, and hoping to see her take home the trophy.
