Jamie: Drag Queen at 16

This programme contains some strong language.

I've got a secret. I've had to hide it my whole life.

It started when I was very young.

I remember doing it when I was five years old even.

And hardly anybody knows.

Even my dad doesn't know.

I only really do it in the house now.

It's not really accepted.

People look upon it as something seedy

or something disgusting because they don't understand, but I'm sick of hiding.

In a few weeks' time, I'm planning to tell everybody at my end of school prom.

Of course, I'm worried. Some people might be really nasty about it.

But I want everybody to know.

At 16 years old, I want to be a drag queen.

Jamie lives in a small, northern, ex-mining town.

In four months' time, he will take his GCSEs and leave school.

He is openly gay,

but no-one at school knows his secret plans for the end of year prom.

Everyone's got their prom dresses now. There's only a few people that don't.

He has told everyone he will be going in a flamboyant suit.

I want lights on the suit. I want to see it with lights and diamantes on. Yes.

But Jamie is hiding the truth.

I'm going to prom in a dress.

That's a wrap. Whoo!

Sit!

Dougal, sit...

Run, Forrest.

I really can't remember a single day in my life

that I have not been told that I'm gay or I'm different or I'm a freak.

In primary school, it was like, "You're a girl," cos no-one knew what "gay" was then.

They were pushing me in the girls' toilets.

Then when you get older, it's more, "Oh, God, Jamie, you're so gay. Oh, God!"

If I'm walking with my friends, they'll be like, "He's just called you gay." I'm like, "Oh, really?"

It does bottle up inside you.

Why not wait? Why not go to the prom in a suit

and then go out the weekend later when nobody knows you and wear what you want to wear then?

Why let them win? Why let them have drilled me down and put me in a suit?

I want them to see me and know that they haven't won

and that I will do what I want anyway.

All of the pushing and putting down they've done over the years will just be a slap in the face for them.

# Everything that happens... #

I can only imagine what the Willies are going to be like when they see me.

They'll probably just, like, literally die, like...

"My God, he is actually in a dress. As if he couldn't get any worse!"

-How did I tell you?

-You went, "Mam..." I said, "What?" "I think I'm bisexual."

-Mam, don't!

-An only child, Jamie lives with his mum Margaret...

-Bisexual is just greedy.

..dogs Charlie and Dougal

and Dita Von Teese, the rabbit.

-Have you heard anything from your dad lately?

-No, not really, like...

Jamie's parents broke up when he was seven. His dad lives nearby with his new partner.

We are almost opposite people, like...

I like wearing heels. He likes looking at women in heels.

He hasn't told his dad about his passion for drag.

His mum Margaret didn't need to be told.

There's one that we remember, trying my shoes on.

The first time I think I realised was I'd gone up stairs to put some washing away

and he sort of ran in his bedroom.

And when I asked him to come out,

he was making a lot of racket and then came out quite sheepish.

He just said he was playing.

But when I went in his bedroom, he had one of my dresses and he hid it under the bed.

I saw it sticking out and I thought, "Oh..."

Lights sort of switched on and things started to make a bit more sense.

When Mam was downstairs, I'd sneak upstairs.

She obviously knew I was doing it.

Then I'd put her dresses on and, of course, they'd be a lot bigger than me,

so I'd tie them in at the waist with, like, dressing gown cords and stuff, and parade around.

He never really went out to play as in boys running around and climbing trees.

If I put make-up on, he wanted to copy

and a few times, we had to scrub it off his face and hide it in case his dad saw it.

It's such a slutty wedding dress. It's my type of style.

-Are you the only person that sees the real Jamie?

-I would say so, yes. Definitely.

My whole life has been hiding

and leading up to this one moment which is prom.

I'm eventually coming out of the closet again,

but instead of coming out as a gay person, it's coming out as a drag queen.

At the moment, Jamie's drag queen alter ego

only dares to venture outside under the cover of darkness.

# I go out walking

# After midnight... #

When I put those heels on, I just totally transform.

# Like we used to do

# I'm always walking after midnight

# Searching for you... #

I feel sexy and beautiful and fierce.

# I walk for miles along the highway... #

It's the sound as well...

..that you associate with women in heels.

It's so amazing when it's, like, coming from you.

# ..after midnight searching for you... #

Just in the confines of your house, you're free and there's, like, no boundaries.

You look up at the sky and there's stars and everything.

I keep losing my balance. You don't smile. You just...

It's such a thrill and so exhilarating.

# ..out in the starlight just hoping... #

I just love it.

# ..somewhere walking after midnight

# Searching for me... #

With three months to go till prom night, Jamie still has a huge amount to do.

What do you say when you go into a wig shop?

He has enlisted the help of a trusted few to help him realise his ambition.

I'm wanting a wig, but...

His friend Sam.

I think it makes me look like a man from the '80s or something.

'I told her because she's a very trustworthy person.

'So I know my secret's safe.'

-His grandma May.

-Hallo, ich heisse Jamie.

CONTINUES IN GERMAN

-Hello!

-Hiya.

Close family friend Leigh.

You're amongst people who are very accepting and loyal. The world isn't like that, pet.

And his mum Margaret.

We're just trying to prepare you for what's going to happen.

-We have to go, Jamie.

-Yeah, I like that.

-Is it realistic?

-You need to start somewhere.

I wouldn't take the money off Mam cos she doesn't have it to start off with.

'With the boobs that I got some time last year, it was like an investment.

'Like me, Mam, Leigh all chipped in together to get them.'

-There's someone walking past.

-So what?

-And I've got boobs in my hand.

Stop playing with them. That's every man's dream!

Margaret has also agreed to pay for Jamie's wig...

I'll be back another time with Mam.

..shoes and make-up.

-Can you mix pink and orange? I love pink and orange together.

-Oh, no.

But the next big investment is the dress.

-I've put some dresses aside if you want to have a look.

-Thank you.

Three, two, one, oh, God.

SINGS TO HIMSELF

I actually do like that one, yeah.

-Is this the first time you've been in front of strangers in a dress?

-Yeah. How lucky do you feel?

-You look good.

-Especially with no boobs.

Do you want to see the boobs in with that dress?

Aagh!

Stop screaming.

-That's more kind of glam, isn't it?

-Yeah.

We'll have to do something about those nipples!

-Everyone will be wowed by it if you wear that one.

-Yeah.

It makes your boobs look really good as well.

-I think it's very brave.

-That's what I was going to say.

You've got to do it while you're young and make yourself happy.

If you can't be true to yourself now, where will you be in ten years' time?

Aagh! Oh, my God, that was like waxing!

-Can I feel those?

-Yeah.

They're realistic, aren't they?

Do you want a go? LAUGHTER

There are so many nice dresses.

-Has anyone ever seen you in drag before?

-No. Mam has...

Not even a single one of your friends at school will know about it. God!

-Bye.

-See you later.

-See you later.

-Bye.

Jamie also needs to work on his make-up technique.

He has been learning from professional drag queens on the internet.

He's just so talented. Some people are born to put make-up on and he's obviously one of those people.

But while they effortlessly achieve that polished look,

Jamie is far from happy with what he sees in the mirror.

You cover your eyebrows, so you can draw them on a lot more higher and defined.

I wouldn't go out to prom with my make-up like this. Oh, no, no, this is wrong.

I need someone to show me how to do it properly, so it doesn't go like this.

Yeah, even this side I'm not happy with.

Mam!

-I literally want to cry.

-Why? What's wrong with you?

Look! It looks disgusting. I'm just...

Look up straight. I can't see.

-Even the side with my natural brows is horrible.

-That is, but it's too dark.

-If you don't like it, take it off.

-I am taking it off.

Get on with it.

I'll have to be shown how to do this properly. I'm not doing it any more until I know what I'm doing.

I do not feel ready for prom right now. I don't want to look like a man in drag.

I want to look like a pretty woman.

I want the girls to be jealous.

Do you want to sit forward?

'So do you want to be a girl?'

No, I don't want to be a girl, like.

I want to be a boy when I'm out of drag and look like a gorgeous hot girl when I'm in drag.

I don't want an operation to be a woman.

I just want to perform as a girl, like, for a cover, yeah.

Jamie has come to a drag cabaret show in Newcastle.

MUSICAL INTRO

# A kiss on the hand may be quite continental

# But diamonds are a girl's best friend

# A kiss may be grand

# But it won't pay the rental on your humble flat

# Or help you feed your pussycat

# Cos that's when those lasses go back to their spouses

# Diamonds

# Are a...

-# Girl's best...

-Diamonds are a girl's best...

# Friend... #

CHEERING

Jamie is going backstage to meet the star of the show,

Betty Legs Diamond, also known as Simon.

-Hello, Sam. Nice eyelashes.

-Thank you.

-Take a seat.

-Did you enjoy the show?

-Fabulous.

-Yeah.

-Absolutely fabulous.

-Oh, super.

-So how did you start?

-Probably like you, I used to dress up in Mum's clothes.

I went to theatre school and I ended up in the West End of London.

I worked with a brilliant make-up artist and he taught me how to pluck your eyebrows out.

-I can do everything but that.

-With the back of your nail, you apply it to the brow of there

and draw in the brow, but always incorporate your brow line. Any other questions for me?

How do you tuck properly?

I hope they're clean.

One of these pushes you all in and back. It feels very uncomfortable.

-Yeah.

-But you can pee backwards!

-LAUGHTER

So, basically, the plan is in about a month's time or something, high school prom.

Instead of going in a suit, I'm going in full drag. Is that a bad idea?

-To your school?

-Yeah.

-There are two sides to this.

It's either a good thing cos you're saying, "This is who I am," and you've got to be strong,

but you've got to be able to have a comeback and an escape route cos it could get very ugly.

-Inside, I want to wear a dress and be fabulous.

-I'm sure you will, but life isn't always a film.

My dad doesn't know.

Should I tell him before?

I never told my dad.

He always... He probably always knew I was gay. Then I said, "I'm in a show in Blackpool."

At the end of the show, I said, "There are two people who are very special to me in the audience.

"It's my mum and dad. Give my mum and my fabulous dad a great round of applause."

He was as pleased as Punch. Sit him down, tell him man to man, "I love you. This is what I want to do."

-I've always said honesty is the best policy, Jamie.

-Absolutely. That is a great way to live - honesty.

Why not put a show on here, get some friends to come and see you?

That would be so good, like, oh...

Yeah. Could I, like...?

-Yeah. You could put a little ten-minute thing together.

-Yeah.

If you need any help putting it together, I'll help you as much as I can.

-Thank you.

-All right, look after yourself.

-Bye.

-Ta-ra. Bye.

# Man wanted... #

Within a few weeks, that could be Jamie up there on the stage.

# Who'll kiss me till I cry... #

And there is one person more than any other who he would love to see in the audience.

# About this much across and just about ye high... #

'It's a massive moment, telling my dad.

'I think if you ask any drag queen out there, they'll agree.'

In your dream scenario, what's your dad going to tell you?

The dream scenario would be if I told him and he was like,

"Oh, wow, when can I go and see the first show?" That would be the perfect scenario.

It would just be like such a relief if he was happy and supportive of it.

Because that's sort of like what I've been wanting my whole life, like,

to make him well and truly proud.

There are eight weeks till prom, but only six till Jamie's drag show.

Rehearsals begin in secret at the village hall.

Jamie has asked his 19-year-old friend Sam to be his backing dancer.

Today, she will see him in heels for the first time.

Yeah, size women's eight. Boo-yah!

-Can you walk in them absolutely fine?

-Yes.

-Can you dance in them though?

-Yes.

It just makes it a bit more real.

Are you shocked as well?

POP MUSIC INTRO

# I've been bitten by the bug and I'm coming down... #

Oh, is it jumping?

CD STICKS IN MACHINE

Right, I'm not having it!

Why is my song jumping?

It's not my fault.

# I've been bitten by the bug and I'm coming down

# With something that can't be cured... #

Run, run, run.

This side.

And then this comes in front of us.

I'm going to kick you.

Roll. Then the chorus.

A bit more sexy this time. Powerball, go on, ow!

'When he put them on, he sort of like came alive sort of thing.

'It's quite emotional, really, seeing that.'

You saw the real Jamie then and it was really good to see. I'm really happy for him.

Aagh!

'I'm really close to Jamie. I think of him as like my little brother.'

-Is there anything you're worried about for him?

-His safety, I think.

Although a lot of people will think he's really good, a lot of people will totally disagree with it

and I am worried about what could happen about that,

but...I've just got to hope everything goes OK for him, really.

# Baby, when I heard you

# For the first time I knew

# We were meant to be as one... #

Hi!

Ooh, it's Christmas!

# Was tired of running out of luck... #

They look more slutty than I thought they would.

# Didn't know what to do... #

Pull the shoe. Do you like it?

# And everything went from wrong to right... #

Oh, look at ya!

# ..really blew my mind It was love at first sight... #

Wow!

# Cos, baby, when I heard you... #

-KNOCK AT DOOR

-Help!

I'll just go and get this.

You can hide here as well.

Good morning, Margaret.

-Why are you hiding?

-There's a man at the door.

What would he think? You don't just turn up to someone's house and see a boy in a dress!

Jamie is back at the theatre to show Simon what he plans to do in his drag performance.

-Have you been up on one before?

-I've been on a stage, but not mine.

-Have you tried heels on a stage? Put 'em on.

-Snowman socks.

-Show me your bevel.

-What?

That's called a bevel. Drop your foot in, drop your knee over, then give the attitude.

-Anything else you want to use?

-Your little entrance.

-I never do a little entrance.

If it gets too high, shout "stop" and we'll bring you back down.

Just like a roller-coaster.

How fierce is this?

I feel like Kylie Minogue.

Jamie can't rely on a flashy entrance alone. It's what he does next that will really count.

Hit it.

MUSIC INTRO PLAYS

Just lying on a table, casually.

Then the legs go up in the air and do a little choreographed thing with my legs.

Then still lying down.

# I've been bitten by the bug and now I'm coming down

# With something that can't be cured... #

Turn over.

Stand up on the table, then we need something choreographed here, don't we?

# Don't you feel the fever like I do?

# Feel the fever... #

At the moment, it's shit. I wouldn't want to pay to watch that.

The routine's got to stand up and be good on its own, all right?

I won't put my name to that.

Oh, God!

I'm really scared now.

If there's nothing to back it up, you're just a pretty boy in a frock.

Finish your lines off.

'I feel disappointed of what I've shown him.

'I think he is thinking, "Why have I agreed to let him on my stage and use my silver loop?"'

You want to finish it - bang, and then go on.

Give it a bit of attitude with that shoulder.

'He tells me the real things and not just what I want to hear

'which a lot of people like Mam and Sam do.

'I need someone like that to hit home that I do need to make myself a better act.'

Whoa, and go! There you are.

-Are you going to watch me get ready tonight?

-Yeah.

-Ask questions, give you a few tips on make-up?

-So this is the stuff you use?

-Yeah.

-How's it all been going?

-It's all right, yeah.

We went back to watch him getting ready for the show.

-Rub it in.

-'The whole atmosphere in the changing room...

-'You know how you imagine with the light bulbs and mirrors? It was so good.

-You felt completely at ease?'

-Yeah. I could just imagine me being there and getting ready and getting involved in the bitchiness.

-Mm-hm.

-See you later.

-Bye.

-Bye.

-Good luck.

-I want to see you rehearsed and polished next time.

-Oh, God!

Pass me that pen and pad.

He is visiting his mum's best friend Leigh with whom he shares a close bond.

She has agreed to help him formulate his drag queen persona, starting with the name.

What about Shaquille?

Lil-Lil, as in Lil...Lil?

Charisse?

Lady Laura...

-Linguine.

-Linguine?

Charlotte...Shallot.

Charlotte Shallot.

-Charlotte Shallot?

-Likes it a lot.

Think about it.

And now appearing here for the first time tonight,

it's Lady Charlotte Shallot!

No.

Lady Leigh...Feelfree.

LAUGHTER

Delphine Del Rio.

Dappy Delphine.

She's a bitch,

like in a corset and her big, massive heels and big hair.

She's a bit violent at times.

She's not afraid...not to use her face, to use her claws.

-Like nails and stuff.

-Her talons.

-Yeah, her talons.

This is the start.

But there is a long road ahead.

The next step on that road will involve telling his dad all about his plans

for the drag show and prom.

Jamie is calling to arrange a meeting where he hopes to tell his dad face to face.

'I do feel like I have let him down

'because it's sort of like my fault for, like, our relationship not being as good

'as a proper son and father's relationship would have been.'

Hi!

'I just want to be successful and that's so I can make up for not being the son

'that he wanted or imagined.

'If I could step out on to a stage'

and just have Dad there...

..all happy and clapping and proud of what I've been doing,

that would just be so amazing.

Do you want to, like, do something tomorrow,

like take the dog out or something?

Would you swap that for an audience full of strangers?

I think I would, yeah.

I've just got something I need to talk to you about.

He doesn't see a lot of his dad or hear from him now

and I think it might be a case of... He might never see his dad again.

What am I going to say?

But the next day, before he has a chance to meet his dad, there is another problem.

-Mam...

-Uh-huh?

-I am absolutely, actually furious.

-Why? What's happened?

His secret plans for prom seem to have leaked out.

He was called in for a meeting at school with his head of year.

She was just all normal and then she was like,

"The reason I've come in... I've got you here

"is we've had parents on the phone that have heard rumours that you're going to prom in a dress

"and they think it's disgusting," and stuff like that.

It's the word "disgusting", ever since she's told me,

the word "disgusting" has been running in my head and it's making me boil.

I can... I don't know...

I think "disgusting" is the worst word you could call somebody.

Am I saying, "You can't do this because I think it's disgusting?" No, I'm not.

They're discriminating against me. Why should they be allowed to?

Hello! Just me!

-Are you all right?

-Not really.

How's it OK for people to discriminate against gays and crossdressers?

What's going on?

One of the teachers has said some of the parents have heard that he's going to the prom in a dress.

-And it disgusts them.

-They want reassurance it's not going to happen.

Oh, for fuck's sake!

-Honest to god, it boils my piss!

-They don't even understand and they're not getting the chance to.

What are they actually referring to as disgusting? I mean, what planet do they live on?

Don't cry, Dappy Delphine.

-All right, I'm going, then. Bye for now.

-Bye for now.

If this has come out now, you have to have this conversation with your dad sooner rather than later.

I really do need to come and speak to you tonight.

Mm-hm.

-Hello?

-The school have returned a call from Margaret

and confirmed they have received an anonymous complaint from someone

-saying they would be disgusted if the school allowed a boy to go to prom in a dress.

-It's a bad word.

This has hurt him more than anything and that's why I'd like to come in and have a discussion tomorrow.

With Jamie present as well. ..Thanks very much. Bye now.

She said she'd asked you and you had said no.

-Should I have said that, that it wasn't true?

-Well, no.

-But it was spur of the moment.

-I was scared.

-I know, I know.

She'll understand that tomorrow, but I think you need to tell her the truth.

Give us a love.

You all right, sweetheart?

Jamie's dad is on his way to pick him up, giving him just enough time to change.

I've tried to be all casual and boyish.

Jamie, you don't have to be boyish, darling. You are who you are.

Track suit bottoms, creased top and white plimsolls I haven't worn in about two years.

-Are you happy?

-That's what you wear walking, isn't it?

I just want his acceptance. That's all I want.

'This moment's been building for years and years, coming, like.'

Pretty much as much as I can remember, like, from when I started doing it,

I knew this day would come eventually and it's going to happen in a matter of minutes.

Here he is.

Oh, my God!

Help!

Be honest. Tell him everything.

Deep breath, don't let him walk away. OK?

Bye!

Be brave.

-How do you feel?

-Sick.

Come on, you two. Let's go for a walk.

How long's he been gone?

About 20 minutes.

Nineteen and a half!

At least he hasn't turned the car round and brought him immediately back! So that's a bonus.

-Mam!

-How's it gone?

It was quite good, actually,

but can I go to the toilet before I fill you in?

-I'm desperate.

-Right, hurry up.

SHE EXHALES NERVOUSLY

It was more positive than negative. Basically, I got in the car and he was like,

"What's this about?" Then, basically, after a while I just came out and said, "Yeah,

"I want to be a drag queen." And he sort of, like, looked a bit taken aback for a bit.

Then he was like, "To be honest, it would be a lie to say that I didn't see it coming."

-Did you think he supported you? Did you tell him how he made you feel?

-I told him about the performance.

I don't think he wants to come.

SHE SIGHS

And then...

I went on to prom and that's where he was like, "I don't think you should do that.

"That's like slapping people in the face, like." I sort of do understand what he's saying.

Well, are you going to prom?

I don't think so.

I just feel as if you're giving in too easy. You've had this planned for months

and now you've had 10 minutes of your dad and you're like, "Oh, I don't want to do it."

I'm not going to be able to get in!

Well, can't say any more than that, can I?

You're just always going to find an excuse to say he's in the wrong.

I just think you should be as honest with him as you are with me.

The next day, Jamie and his mum have had their meeting with the Head of Year.

The school said they want to ensure that all students are able to enjoy equal attention at prom

so they have discouraged Jamie from wearing a dress.

Hi.

-What now?

-No...

The people who I'm listening to now are telling me, like, reasons why I shouldn't do it

and not many people have really said it's a good idea.

-I think you need to seriously decide what you want to do now.

-Well, I am. That's what I'm doing.

-I can't talk to you when you're in this mood.

-Well, you're talking to me like I'm an idiot.

-Well, stop acting like one.

-I'm not!

For God's sake.

You always say things like that and make me sound stupid, then you go off storming like I'm wrong.

Because, Jamie, it's things you knew. I just don't understand now why...

-Because I'm not going to get in!

-It's not as if it's the first time it's been mentioned.

Are you the person running prom? The person that lets people in?

-No, just there to pick the bits up as usual.

-I'm just being sensible!

-You should have thought about this...

-Well, I'm sorry! I didn't!

-And that's my fault.

-Cos I was blinded by what I wanted to do.

Now I've thought about it, now I know what'll happen, now I know the consequences.

Now I've thought differently.

DOOR CLOSES

What are you thinking at the moment?

Today, at this moment in time, I'm thinking of not going through with it,

but I think I really do need to clear my head and think about it cos it is a really big decision.

Like, I knew there was going to be people against it, but until I was called into that office

to say they'd had a complaint about it, it hasn't really sunk in until now.

It's easy saying it's going to be a challenge and it'll be hard and I'll fight it,

but when it does come it's hard to, like, fight it. It's harder than just saying it.

How long do you leave it on for?

It stinks!

I need a wee.

Yeah, some's coming off.

RUNS TAP

'It doesn't matter if you love him or capital H-I-M...'

Despite his confusion over prom, Jamie is still committed to going through with his drag show.

Drop.

-Quite a lot of it's not working. It's cos I'm nervous. You don't know how nervous I am.

-It's all right.

-So...

-Take a breath.

MUSIC PLAYS

I can't...

-Running into there's not going to help.

-No.

-They'll laugh at you.

You've got to own the stage and be bigger than life. As big as Texas.

None of these, right?

Now that his drag plans have leaked out at school, he's taking another big step.

After years of secrecy, he has decided to tell his school friends exactly what he's doing

-and invite them to the show.

-How did you feel when you pressed "send"?

Like, it took me a while. It took me about five minutes. I was sat like...

My God. Oh, my God.

And then I sent it and went, "Ohh!" Like, it was so...dramatic, obviously, cos it's me,

but that's basically the first time people finding out.

Dad rang me. He was like, "So you've put it out in public."

I was like, "Are you going to come to the show?" He was like, "No."

So I was like, "OK."

I'd say about that.

'I suppose if I give him time maybe he'll come round and come and see it.'

-Come here.

-Get on Mammy.

Stop laughing and just do it.

MUSIC PLAYS

'Tomorrow, everyone's going to see me wearing a dress for the first time in public.'

Ow! Chihuahua!

Back to my song...

'Her name is Fifi Latrue.

'Fifi is the little creature

'that has been trying to get out of me for all these years.

'And she's going to be born on the stage in Boulevard tomorrow.

'She's finally, like, coming out the closet, not hiding any more.'

Boom! Kick ahead! Fall back into my man off the bed who has caught me.

And then I will kiss him because he's attractive.

Ah!

My God. What is that?

Oh, God. This is so amazing. I sat and watched them last time and now it's me.

I got a text off Dad.

"Good luck for today. Remember, relax and enjoy the time onstage." Aww.

Hello, everybody.

Hi!

Are you strapped in?

-Oh, my God...

-You all right?

Enjoy it. That's all you've got to do. Enjoy it.

-Don't. Don't make me cry.

-No. Smile.

'He really hopes that this day is going to be the beginning of his new life.'

You're going to be fabulous!

Come on. 'A mother's love is unconditional. He's my boy.'

-Don't, Mam...

-'It's what makes him who he is.

'And I love him.'

-How many people's there?

-About 50.

Miss Lori! Come on, make some noise!

All right, down there in the canary yellow?

You ever seen a lady that looks like me before?

It's showtime, guys.

Welcome to the stage, in a debut performance, the one and only Miss Fifi Latrue!

Three, two, one, here we go!

CHEERING

MUSIC PLAYS

LIP SYNCHS TO MUSIC # I've been bitten by the bug and I am coming down

# With something that can't be cured

# So tell me what do you prescribe for these symptoms

# A heart beating faster and work is a disaster

# I'm lovesick when you're not around Check me over

# Strong hands are healing I'm dancing on the ceiling

CHEERING

# Tell me what do you prescribe for these symptoms

WHOOPS AND CHEERS

# I'm lovesick when you're not around Check me over

# Strong hands are healing I'm dancing on the ceiling

# Fever sure has got me good

# What do you do when fever takes hold?

# I can't help but need this drug

# Don't you feel the fever like I do?

# Feel the fever! #

What about that?! Absolutely sensational!

It's Miss Fifi Latrue! And her dancers - yes!

-That went so bad, it went so bad...

-It was really amazing.

And everybody loved it. You could hear them wowing.

I wish I'd a pair of legs like that!

Were my nipples out?

He didn't fall down in them heels!

Oh, my God! I've done it!

-He's a good-looking woman.

-I'd go for him.

-"I'd go for him"!

Then it's showtime. I can't even walk in these heels.

LOUD CHEERS

'Every day, as soon as I walk out the door, I'm trying to be somebody who I'm not.

'My dream is to be in drag and feel totally free.'

# My mama told me when I was young

# We are all born superstars... #

'I don't have to be anybody else. I can just be myself and not have to worry what other people say.'

# I'm beautiful in my way Cos God makes no mistakes

# I'm on the right track, baby I was born this way.

# No matter black, white or beige Chola or orient made

# I'm on the right track, baby I was born to be brave

# I'm beautiful in my way Cos God makes no mistakes

# I'm on the right track, baby I was born this way

# Don't hide yourself in regret Just love yourself and you're set

# I'm on the right track, baby I was...

# Ooh, there ain't no other way Baby, I was born this way

# Baby, I was born this way

# Born this way Baby, I was born this way

# I'm on the right track, baby I was born this way. #

CHEERING

There you go!

The one and only, Miss Fifi Latrue!

How fabulous was that, everybody? Keep it going, keep it going!

Hello!

That was rubbish! LAUGHTER

Fabulous. Give me a little kiss. Oh, how are you feeling?

It's so tiring. I'm so nervous as well! Oh, my God!

I'd like to thank Betty. Where is Betty?

APPLAUSE

And I'd like to thank Leigh.

And then, finally...

I'd like to thank my mum who's...

Oh, pull yourself together, woman!

-I've a bus to catch!

-She's supported me through everything, helping me.

It costs a lot of money to look this cheap

and somebody needs to pay for it and she's done that for me.

CHEERING

I'll come back out so you can look close at my makeup and pick faults with it.

So I'll be out with youse in a few minutes.

The one, the only Miss Fifi Latrue!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Oh, my God, Sam!

That was... Oh, it was amazing.

That was fantastic.

It was amazing, son. You were amazing. Everyone thinks you're fabulous.

I thought it was phenomenal. Just so fluid.

One of the other performers is so impressed by Jamie that he has a surprise proposal for him.

-How would you like to perform at Newcastle Pride in the cabaret tent?

-When's that?

-16th July.

-You have thousands of people there. It's a lot of exposure.

-You never know.

-So just keep your makeup on.

-Yeah!

-We do that all the time!

I'm glad you had a nice time.

You'll knock them dead.

Now your audience awaits you, darling.

Hello!

Whoo!

-He looked really natural.

-We're very proud.

-Don't feel anything.

-Jamie, you look beautiful.

-What is that digging in my back?

-My hand.

I know if I don't go to prom now I'll look back in even a week's time

and go, "I wish I'd done that!"

So I'm gonna do it.

Two weeks later, the day of the prom has finally arrived.

Still unsure whether the school will let him through the door,

Jamie is preparing for the biggest night of his life.

I've wanted this day for so long. Now I'm doing this for me even before I get to face the critics.

I'm not gonna let those people think they've changed me.

You've tried to make me weak and you haven't. You've made me stronger.

That's what this is about.

-Jamie, I've got this for you.

-Aww...

-It's not a present. It's just a little letter.

-Thank you.

-I wanted you to have it before prom.

-Oh, you're so cute.

'Dear Jamie, writing letters isn't something I do very often, so count yourself lucky.

'Looking back over the years, I can't believe how much you've developed as a person,

'but the real change started only a few months ago.' Don't cry! Your makeup!

I don't know what to say!

'I can't forget the first time I saw you dancing around in your heels.

'There are no words to express just how proud I am of you and how much you mean to me.'

Oh, it's not a good idea any more! Help!

'You're like my best friend and the brother I never had, all in one.'

-I'm going to pass out.

-'You're brave, strong and more courageous than any other boy I've ever known.'

Jamie's meeting friends to have photos taken in the park before going on to prom.

Jamie!

-You're gorgeous.

-I am so dying right now!

-Here we are.

-No, Jamie, you look gorgeous.

-They're lush.

-Are you ready?

-Yeah.

It's not Jamie! It's Fifi, everyone!

No haters, please, no haters.

-You look gorgeous, Jamie.

-Hi!

-I can't believe I'm doing this.

Hi, Jamie.

-Do you think he'll get in?

-Yes.

I'll give him a dance.

-At least I'm the only one in black.

-We just all accepted him.

# Where are we? #

But these are Jamie's friends.

# What the hell

# Is going on? #

What will his teachers and the rest of the year think?

# The dust has only just begun to form

# Crop circles in the carpet... #

From this point on, the crew do not have permission to film.

But one of his friends has a small home video camera.

SHRIEKS AND CHEERING

Hi, guys!

Everyone's getting a hug.

Jamie has told his teachers that he would come in a suit.

He's turned up and all the kids are dead excited. They've all come to see him.

One of the teachers spoke to Jamie and said he was told not to come.

Before the teachers can deliver their verdict, parents and students jump to defend Jamie's actions.

The kids are saying that if he doesn't go in, they're not going in.

At last, Jamie has his answer.

Fifi will go to the ball.

Oh! Wig!

All the kids kicked off and they wanted him in.

She was a bit adamant about it, but she's come back and she said, yes, he can go in.

-Oh, excellent, excellent.

-So that was it. Great.

-Oh, good, good. His mam will be dead pleased, then.

-Yeah.

Hello?

I've got so much more than I wanted.

People are more accepting than I thought they were gonna be.

Everybody, the parents, all of the students outside, stood up for me. "You have to let him in."

I'm not alone, like.

I had these people fighting for me and it just felt great that I have got support.

'Well, this morning I just woke up and I had two messages.'

One was off Orange and, em, one was off Dad.

Basically saying that he's not happy at my decision

to go to prom the way I did

and, apparently,

I've ruined everybody's night

for my own...self gain.

And, at the end...

it sounds like he doesn't really want to see me again.

I told him this big thing about me wanting to be a drag queen,

face to face with him, and he's done this over text. How childish is that, eh?

I'm not bothered. I'm not gonna cry in my room that I haven't got his support. I'm not gonna fight for it.

He'll come round when he's ready.

MUSIC: "Hey, Big Spender"

# Wouldn't you like to have fun... #

'Doing this the whole way through, I thought people would stereotype me as this seedy drag queen.'

# ..good time

# Let me show you a... #

'But it's been me that's been stereotyping people.'

-# The minute you walked in... #

-'I was the wrong one, thinking the worst of people.'

-# A real big spender... #

-'I looked at prom as the end.

'It's not really. It's just the beginning.'

# ..going on in my mind?

# So let me get right to the point

# I don't pop my cork For every guy I see

# Hey, big spender

# Hey, big spender

# Hey, big spender

# Spend

# A little time with me! #