It's Crystal Queer ...
Adam
Words: Cydonee Mardon. Photos: Adam McLean and Sylvia Liber
Corrimal’s very own drag queen has made it to the big time, winning a coveted MTV co-hosting gig.
Crystal Queer, who comes from humble beginnings as a local Tupperware lady, will star on national TV during the music channel’s coverage of the week-long Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras celebrations.
She won a nationwide search competition for the face of MTV Pride 2017 – meaning she can rub shoulders, and swap lipstick, with internationally renowned drag queen Courtney Act.
Crystal’s alter ego Adam Larkham told the Mercury that being chosen for the role was the gig of her career thus far.
"I want to be Australia’s number one drag queen, so this is a big door opening for me, it’s an amazing opportunity and I still can’t believe it’s real,’’ 27-year-old Adam said.
Adam Larkham undergoes his transformation to Crystal Queer.
It got very real on Tuesday when he was rushed to Sydney’s famous Oxford St to film scenes for the March coverage.
‘’When I started I was so nervous, I still couldn’t believe it was real,’’ Adam said.
‘’The crew were all so wonderful and Courtney was just so great, chatting with me between takes, it was just amazing.’’
The highlight? That’s easy.
"Courtney called for a brush between takes, I thought she’s being a diva, you go girl, then she leant over and brushed my hair for me.
‘’I was not sure what to expect, I thought being an internationally known drag queen she might head off to her room between takes, but she spent the whole day with me, during and inbetween shooting.
‘’It was just exciting sitting with her and trying to choose our top 20 songs for the countdown.
‘’It was surreal because I was sitting next to a top three queen from RuPauls Drag Race – a show that I have binge watched all nine seasons of, and the two all-star seasons as well.
Courtney Act and Adam Larkham, aka Crystal Queer on the MTV set in Oxford Street.
‘’The hardest thing was to not ‘fan-girl’ and just play it cool.’’
Adam, who has always loved dressing up but first went drag in high school, said he hoped this gig would open doors for him.
‘’I love dressing up in drag, the makeup and the costume, it literally transforms you, but I also love dressing up in horror, I love acting, being creative and entertaining.
‘’Getting an opportunity like this is truly a dream come true.’’
Adam said the fact the TV gig was for the LGBTQI community made it so much more amazing.
‘’Just being in the ‘video shoot’ environment and being filmed for interviews and spots like this in the newspaper has given me a taste of the life I want to live,’’ he said.
