To Walk A Ball It Do Take Nerve!
The Ballroom Scene is historically known for being family oriented and safe haven for the Queer of Color community, however Balls are still rooted in the spirit of competition, which has winners and losers.
While there are dozens of categories for participants to walk, the most popular require physical performance, or pageant based beauty aesthetics, echoing Crystal Labeija’s iconic 1969 read “Look at her makeup. It’s terrible!” What happens to the unconventional participants? They can either take their Chops and leave the scene or try and try again!
Every Ballroom Era from White to Purple has its Legendary Voguer, Ovah Face or Runway diva; equally much like with Buffy The Vampire Slayer, in every generation a “Ballroom Kiki” is born. – coined by Kelly Mizrahi Gorgeous Gucci in the infamous read outside of Escuelita with Gina Gospel.
Eunice Cleopatra, Chyna Blue, Gina Gospel and social media sensation Josephine have entertained ball walkers and online spectators for years because of their audacity to participate, not becoming broken or embarrassed by a few chops; allowing audiences to champion their journey towards a moment of victory.
Folks love to watch a memorable grand prize moment on the runway but we live for a redemption arc and an underdog story!
Eunice Cleopatra – Black ERA ( 1991-1997)
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Eunice Cleopatra was the pioneer of the “Ballroom Kiki” archetype, walking categories prepared or unprepared, not minding the inevitable CHOP. Over the years Eunice’s “Pop Out” gag would provide a comic relief during a long or tense ball. Eunice’s love of ballroom and dedication to the scene made her a staple in the Marc Ballroom era, even snatching a few TENz and a grand prize.
click to walk full playlist of clips
Chyna Blue – Blue Era (1998-2004) & Green Era (2005-2010)
Chyna Blue, made a name for themselves walking Butch Queen Up In Drags performance. While some found her voguing style unpolished, the raw energy, acrobatic stunts and dramatic dips would wake up the entire ballroom; no matter TENz or Chop.
click to walk full playlist of clips
Gina Gospel – Blue Era (1998-2004) & Green Era (2005-2010)
Gina Gospel, made a name for herself by being an all around ballroom personality and drag performer.
“DJ pump the beat, let her walk we need a kiki!………My favorite girlfriend, Gina Gospel! This is the bitch that we like to read, this it the bitch we like to see! Gina Gospel! She Always comes back laughing.” – Jack Mizrahi during a Rumble Ball LSS
Gina Gospel/Divine would walk any category that moved her spirit that night, prepared, qualified or not. Would the judges read? Absolutely, but she was there to have a good time and enjoy her time amongst the community. Towards the end of her time on the Ballroom floor Gina would storm the Foot & Eyewear category as a respected contender.
click to walk full playlist of clips
Miss Josephine – Orange Era (2016-2021) & Purple Era (2022 – Today)
Josephine has been connected to the Ballroom Scene for over 20 years but found new visibility after attending OTA; a weekly ballroom event at 3 Dollar Bill in Brooklyn. In 2021 clips of Josephine walking began to go viral on the BestOfVogue TikTok and TENzmag Instagram Story/Reels, accumulating thousands of followers entertained by her performance journey, memeable shenanigans and growing criticism over her outbursts.
We pumped with Josephine to the bodega after OTA to get some Doritos (Spicy Sweet Chili of course), and sip some Arizona Iced Tea, while discussing her time in ballroom and recent online visibility.
I got involved with the Ballroom scene at the age of 16 in 1996 as a BQUID ( Butch Queen Up In Drags) at the Clubhouse. I came from a poor community in Bronx projects, my father was a Black Puerto Rican and my mother was Irish. I would pop around ball functions but I had no one to really teach me. When OTA started I ran into Jai Infiniti and he became my Father, he been helping me improve and getting me together. Jai taught me confidence and courage, accepting myself and that I’m not dumb or retarded. I am very smart and wise with a developmental disability, chronic mental illness and trauma. I have moments and outbursts but I’m learning to pay it no mind and pay it dust. I come to the balls for fun, for unity, community, love , care and respect.
T:Favorite Category?
J: Dramatics Performance
T: Favorite Performer?
J: Alloura JZ
T: Your Category?
J: Runway! I like to get out and have fun. I haven’t been at regular balls lately but I want to try out other categories like Voguing and Commentator vs Commentator. I have won grand prize Beginners Runway at OTA!
T: How did it feel to finally win?
J: That feeling in that moment was everything. Won a cash prize and I got to take a free class at The OTA Academy to learn a little something. I love Leggoh he is very supportive of me.
T: I remember seeing you at the Club House and Escuelita around 2008/2010. You also were on Jack Mizrahi TV & Jayon922 (an early Ballroom Youtube channel). The scene had a bunch of different names for you though (Miss Mama, Hot Cha Cha Mess), after you won Beginner’s Runway at OTA it was great that Leggoh took that moment to officially share your name with the crowd.
