Big hair, attitude, jokes and glamour — famous drag queens Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova brought their show, “The Bald and the Beautiful,” to the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, April 25, to close out night two of Spring Weekend at the University of Connecticut.
“I loved the show! I thought it was charming, positive and downright hilarious,” said Cal Fucci, a fourth-semester sociology major.
Mattel and Zamolodchikova first appeared on Season 7 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and while neither won, they both gained audience popularity quickly. The two only became friends after the show was over, which eventually led to them becoming internet sensations together, launching various shows.
The drag duo describes themselves to be a “pair of grizzled gay ghouls,” discussing their fabulous lives. “Ghouls” may not be the right word to describe these two, but “fabulous” sure is.
“I think it would be so difficult to find a better drag comedy duo,” said Eileen Federing, a second-semester American Sign Language major. “These two are genuine friends and enjoy each other, so the laugher radiates off onto the audience.”
The crowd was consistently filled with laughter and cheering during the almost two-hour show.
The beginning of the show was treated like a mere conversation between the queens and the audience. From discussing their personal lives to ratting on people in the crowd, to commenting on UConn, the queens were able to relate to college students, despite being what they considered “old.”
Mattel took the lead with many conversations, with Zamolodchikova adding in her own commentary and sometimes out of pocket jokes.
“There was hardly a second of silence because of their amazing chemistry,”, said Jaqueline Bleidner, a second-semester English major.
Not only was the conversation engaging, but it was incredibly difficult to look away from the queens for even a minute as they shone on stage in their bedazzled outfits that could be seen from a mile away.
Mattel wore her signature exaggerated doll-like makeup and big 1960s hair with a shining mini dress. Zamolodchikova took it easier on the hair and makeup but was covered from head to toe in stones in a glimmering pantsuit that was mesmerizing to the eye.
“Those ladies can dress,” Fucci said.
The latter half of the show had a few more surprising things to offer. From trashing Katy Perry’s recent trip to space and making a list of who they would like to send to space, which included Frankie Grande and Tanner from “Love on The Spectrum” (for positive energy), to discussing UConn, there were vastly different topics discussed.
Both Mattel and Zamolodchikova urged for cheaper tuition prices at universities before each presenting their niche slideshows on UConn.
“I think my favorite part was when they commented on Connecticut and UConn,” Bleidner said. “It really engaged the whole audience and was relatable.”
Mattel presented first, sharing a slideshow about who she believes is UConn’s best Alumna ever: Meg Ryan. She shared facts about Ryan’s time at UConn and somehow segued into rating different movies that Ryan has acted in, asking for audience approval of her thoughts.
Zamolodchikova’s presentation was about the top 10 underrated majors at UConn, which included grave digging, paint huffing and farming, along with some shocking images. Gasps were heard throughout the crowd as the slideshow wrapped itself up with a scandalous photo.
“I love how unpredictable comedy shows can be, but it is even more unpredictable and wild with these two,” Federing said.
The queens ended the show by sharing their thoughts on social issues, standing with poor people against government and leaving with their signature bows.
“Their performance served as a temporary hotspot for queer life on campus that was safe and purely positive,” Fucci said.