The Queen: NYC Drag Pageant Scene Before House LaBeija
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- čas přidán 21. 07. 2024
- One freezing night in 1967, drag performers from across the country gathered in a cramped theater for a pageant that would forever change the face of drag. And by a stroke of luck -- as well as some clever marketing -- a documentary crew happened to be there, and managed to capture a moment that foreshadowed the creation of New York drag houses and the ball culture that we recognize today from Paris is Burning and Drag Race.
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The Queen is available to stream here: amzn.to/3f1wuWZ - Zábava
Crystal saying the words "I have the right to show my colour" really hits hard considering the wider context. Its utterly frustrating that we are still having the same conversations about race and drag 50 years since The Queen was made.
Yep, even now with disgusting reactions to Jaida winning of all fucking weeks. Look at how black queens are treated vs white, even huge stars like Shangela, get less money for gigs allegedly compare to white.
Crystal knew what was up the moment she walked off that stage. The ranking of the top 5 finalists was an embarrassment.
Witch's Brew - Not Valid. Aja was being passed up, because she was unpolished.
- Valentina is a Drag Queen of Color. Proudly presenting her Mexican culture.
- Aja is also a Drag Queen of Color, adopted and raised in Puerto Rican culture.
- Valentina is a West Coast Drag Queen that attended a school of performing arts vs Aja an East Coast Drag Queen that learned her craft in the streets & in NYC night clubs.
- RPDR is looking for an Ambassador to present her brand. RuPaul is a Black Drag Queen that can relate to both of their experiences.
- Aja bullied Valentina for being a new Drag Queen receiving better praises than her in the competition
- Like Season 12 , the Queen of NY, Britta bullied Aiden Zane for being a Bedroom Queen receiving better praises than her in the competition.
“The Queen” is documentary about a 1967 “Miss All-America Camp Beauty Contest”, which is scored on a points system of: 5 points each for 1) walk 2) talk 3) bathing suit 4) gown 5) make-up and hair-do and 6) 10 points for beauty.
The competition is held at Town Hall and sponsored by a drag queen named “Sabrina”, who invites her friend Rachel Harlow, who lives in Pennsylvania to compete. At the time the pageant was integrated, but no black contestants had ever won.
One of the Black contestants, Crystal LaBeija (founder of the House of LaBeija) storms off the stage, after placing 4th and Rachel Harlow is crowned the Winner.
At the end of the documentary, some contestants are shown protesting Rachel's win; Crystal states that the contest was fixed by Sabrina. As they leave the building, Crystal runs into Rachel and Sabrina on the stairs where Sabrina denies the allegations and Crystal affirms that she’s the true beauty..
and yet it was Crystal who misconstrued the meaning of the phrase 'to show one's colours'. In yesterday's english that expression had nothing to do with race but it was a way of telling someone that they are showing their true intentions, motives or allegiances. In fact the word colour in that context refers to flag colours or political colours, that is how it originated. It's quite sad that people are reading into it like it's a racist remark.
The person who said "you show your color" wasn't saying it in like the sense of "showing your true colors." She meant "You're acting like a n*" and it makes me sick. Back in those days, black queens would often say "don't show your color" when applying their pale foundation in the dressing areas as they got ready together usually separate from the white queens. Look at how pale Crystal's foundation is. That is what that person meant when they said "you're showing your color." You're acting black. Disgusting. We stan Crystal Labeija.
edit: typo fix (rThe -> The)
15:46 “I know I am beautiful” she’s god damn right
She really is legitimately stunning!
She was gorgeous
This movie really is required viewing. I liked seeing behind the scenes of the girls getting ready before the pageant.
It's so identical to green rooms today! Though the makeup's a little better now, I think.
Yes! I watch all the documentaries about ballroom. I love the lifestyle and the stories behind and beyond ballroom performances. It’s AMAZING! ❤️
💯 dat part my gorgeous melanin rich Sista down the house boots! Werk beauty werk ♥️😍😘🥰💯‼️👸🏻🌈🐱🐟🦄🆗💅🏽🙏🏽
Ness NP can you recommend some please
@@cleodiamond7569 It’s on Netflix now.
Crystal LaBeija Hontee!
“Im not saying she is not beautiful but she was not looking beautiful tonight. She does not equal me. Look at her make up. It’s terrible!”
Camera pans to Harlow in the corner looking like a heroine addict. 😂🤣
Harlow was looking like a droopy chihuahua in the corner 😂😂
Crystal wasn't wrong. Harlow looked sad compared to everyone else
@@LisaFrank39 I bet she was with some depression, looking into her eyes we can tell
😂 She was reading the hell out of Harlow, but still basically saying “No offense, darling. Still love you.”
Not saying she had put more effort on her look than Crystal but I thought Harlow looked beautiful but sad.
"I have a RIGHT to show my color, dahling!" I found The Queen on VHS in a bin for a buck when I was about 15. My life changed.
Also am I crazy, or is Wesley Snipes in "To Wong Fu, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar" totally taking a ton of cues from Crystal LaBeija?
What a lucky find!
seeing yourself or other marginalized people represented can give such hope.
Could be...or Paris is Burning and pepper labeija...which was more mainstream
It's strange. Many black drag queens told him "Noxema Jones" portrayal was awful. I thought it was good. I also liked John Leguizamo😄.
It's great that it's now on Netflix. I wish they would get Paris is Burning again.
"I'm beautiful and I KNOW I'm beautiful."
Man! I wish I had as much self confidence!
Just speak it into existence Queen! ♥️💋💯
And this is why drag is such a part of our culture… at the end of jr all, the shade, the looks, the comedy, etc., it’s really about inspiring others to find their inner confidence, and not only gays. ❤️
Netflix should add this episode of Culture Cruise as a companion to The Queen. The context you've given makes me appreciate the movie that much more.
Oh haha that would be awesome, I'd love to do commentary on SO MANY netflix movies.
@@MattBaume please do i enjoyed this❤️
"When I was in the military they gave me a metal for killing two men & a discharge for loving one" hits hard in the soul. If Leonard Matlovich was alive, he would be so happy.💕
He is a true gay icon.
I watched 'The Queen' for the first time the other day myself.
The producers where do lucky to have Crystal there. If it wasn't for those last 10 minutes, the documentry wouldn't of been half of what it was. In fact I think the doc would've been long forgotten. Crystal MADE this doc still being remembered 50+ years later.
She really did make the doc what it is today -- but even on the publicity tour, it was all Sabrina and Harlow, nothing about Crystal.
Matt Baume that’s crazy!
Watching this and watching “Paris is Burning” (as controversial as that doc is) you can see there is a CLEAR difference being white and gay vs being black and gay. Unfortunately not much has changed in those differences.
Really? Rupaul is a household word & her empire is growing.
ohthelovelypoems Rupaul is not a representation of every day people.
@@ohthelovelypoems And RuPaul still has to make himself appear more like a white woman in all his blonde glory. No disrespect to you RuPaul.
@@ohthelovelypoems One single breakout rich queen doesn't change a damn thing about how hard it is for normal LGBT PoC to make their way in a world that doesn't want them to succeed.
@@ohthelovelypoems RuPaul works with a bunch of white people behind the scenes. The show is produced and owned by RuPaul & The Whites (WOW) 🤷🏾♂️
"SHE DOESN'T EQUAL ME" GOD WHAT A TRUE HERO
“All the true beauty’s didn’t come” Crystal is an icon
7:43 It's a young Pepper LaBeija!!!
Damn! I knew it lol
I didn’t know that was Pepper!
Can someone spot Dorian?
omg she looks so young
Ova!
This should be a college class, not the concept, this actual video series
Ooh I would love that
I love this channel. I used to be subscribed... you know how CZcams is. Luckily this showed up on my feed today. Re-subscribed. Looking forward to catching up on this channel AND watching the film. I think I’ve looked for it before but had no luck finding it. Now I have found it. czcams.com/video/R1TBmMEvvhY/video.html
I watch a lot of LGBTQ+ content, and I usually don’t mention this-I was on a channel yesterday and someone commented that everyone watching was probably queer-I’m a 44 year old, white, straight, happily married woman. I am here watching. Maybe nowadays it’s worth mentioning that. There are straight white people who fully support LGBTQ+ and POC communities and have done so for years. I can only speak for myself and do consider myself an ally. I know there are more like me who fully embrace LGBTQ+ culture, but I can only speak for myself. I’m not saying this for likes (I’m not really on social media but love CZcams) or clout. Just... with everything going on the last few weeks (I live in Minneapolis, I’m married to a POC, I’ve been watching a lot of videos that discuss intersection of black/LGBTQ topics, such as Bob the drag queen along with Monet and Peppermint...
And I’m just saying I am here with these communities.
Yes! This is part of history so it should be in History Classes.😀
This was so interesting and educational! Being a very young person in the community, it feels good to learn about our history. Thank you so much!
Yes! I'm glad! this doc is waay underrated and deserves more pop culture attention! Thank you Matt for making a vid about this GEM
I hope to see Matt tackle things outside the west. I am really unaware of how things are unfolding here in the east...
I am... not a very young person 😉 but this was super educational to me too. I'd seen Paris Is Burning, but only heard little bits about this scene
I took my Bar Exam classes in that theater. Small world.
How does it look? Did it change much?
Oh wow, a lot of judging going on in that room! Hope you passed.
@@MattBaume I did. One teacher put on a pretty good live performance of an original song about Civil Practices Law and Procedure. But I think it would have been more entertaining if he did the song in drag.
per usual incredible work
Recently got to see “The Queen” on Netflix. Was definitely worth it, especially for the last 10 minutes. Crystal was the real star.
Wow in which country did you watch it?
I vividly remember the first time I watched "Paris is Burning". My god, I was so naive. I've watched it twice more and learn so much each time. I love the history I learn on each one of these cilture cruises. Thanks, Matt!
Same.
Never saw this one apart from the argument on youtube. Oh to be a fly on the wall in the editing room and know what they really thought of it. Clearly the focus was on the white people and the documentary makers were almost certainly white too. What were they trying to say about Crystal by leaving leaving it in? Did they think she had a point? Did they think she was indeed “showing her colour” and intended it to be a look at the blacks having no class moment? Did they just think it was good drama? Did they discuss taking it out? Etc...
Drama, dissenting contemporaries, fighting sells. Think about reality television today.
I feel like they had to be aware of it on some level. From the moment they first show up at the apartment and people are sizing each other up and they're laying down the rules for the pageant, the energy is LOADED.
A good documentary shows what has happened and lets the audience come to their own conclusions.
If that had been filmed today I'm sure they would have saw the final scene and gone back to re-edit it. I guess we are fortunate that 60s documentaries were different to those made today. I love The Queen and it's been a while since I last watched it
I wonder how much conversation there was about the fight at the end. I wish they'd continued to follow Crystal! At one point Sabrina invites her to a private after-party and I'm DESPERATE to know what happened there.
@@MattBaume I bet tea was spilled. Real tea, not that insta-tea mess they make these days
Crystal Labeija gives me life!! Love her. Thank you for the inspiration and for making a change.. RIP darling
Her impact today is SO PROFOUND -- hard to imagine the world would be like without the changes she made possible.
Imagine if the queens of color had been featured more. Would have been amazing to see.
One part of this doc that wasn’t mentioned, but I always found interesting, was the one queen who was from a small town in the South who said that everyone in her town new she was gay from the time she was 5 and no one in her community treated her poorly. In fact, “even the priest” would tell other kids to be more like her.
It shows how the time and the community you live in aren’t an excuse to tolerate intolerance and that acceptance can be found in unexpected places
Yesss mother Labeija!
I'm glad I'm learning about this now when I'm older and can appreciate this. My fresh out of the closet self would not have reacted well to all the very feminine guys. I hated that being gay was associated with that kind of behavior back then because that didn't represent me at all and I didn't want people to assume I acted like that.
Had to do a lot of growing up to get over that mindset and finally stop caring what some random person I might meet might think of me and be able to appreciate all of the awesome people in the community as they are.
Let’s be honest, Crystal did look mich better than Harlow did
Facts
The sad thing is, you can tell and see all of the efforts she put into her presentation. It was unequal to any other queen there, winner or not! You can even see it in her face before they call the runner ups, she was proud to have made it to top-five and could almost taste the victory. She will always be the winner in my heart.
Presentation wise she did. She actually put together and organized with her looks. Harlow's last look was thrown together at the last minute.
Yes
Periodt
I knew nothing about this movie until I saw it on YT about 5 yrs ago. Imagine my surprise when at the end THE Crystal LaBeija appears and gives us a word!!! Thank you for explaining her role in the ballroom scene and I thoroughly look forward to your video on Paris is Burning.
After all the drama about finding Harlow a blonde wig, her hair was so poorly blended with the wig. It was so distracting.
I’ve ALWAYS wanted to know the story behind that clip!!! Thank you!
I'm sure there's even more story to tell -- sadly there's not a lot of documentation about Crystal out there.
THAT'S PEPA LABEIJA THAT SAID "I WROTE A LONG LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT!"
Way before this film came out we used to go to all the fabulous mostly black (and mixed crowd) drag balls given all over NYC. When The Jewel Box Revue came into town we'd head up to the Apollo to catch their performances. Very fearless and exciting times!
Oh my! So much! First off I need a T-shirt that declares “I’M BEAUTIFUL! I KNOW I AM!”
Second, I can’t help but to wonder if Ms. Marsha P. Johnson was aware of “The Queen” and what she thought about it. Lastly, thank you so much for bringing to our attention such important history.
thanks for the thanks - fame at last darling!
Haha thank YOU for making these videos possible! :D
That little southern queen with two husband's ALWAYS reminds me of Leslie Jordan😂
I thought the same thing!
What a phenomenal film! All of the Southern Queens were so adorable and charming. It is such a time capsule. So much about drag has changed but a lot, particularly and unfortunately the problematic and racist stuff, hasnt changed much at all
As an old hag who has worked with drag now, and as a pageant judge for 25 years it is very refreshing to come across your channel (Just subbed) Thank you so much for schooling the children about the beautiful history.
Thank you for doing your homework and listening to your elders for proper perspective. You are a breath of fresh air!
Sometimes when I get especially depressed I'll get in bed and watch this doc. By the time Crystal gets her life and let's them have it, I'm better.
Was that Peppa LaBeija talking about wanting to join the military?
Yes!
Have my like, sir! And so fitting to watch this today when Costa Rica just approved marriage between gay people
guau! congratulations!
Que bueno! Congratulations!
Nice! Condragulations!
Congratulations, that;s amazing
Thank you for covering this iconic historic film! Did you know they recently restored it? It looks so good now, you can actually SEE Crystal’s surroundings instead of being shrouded in darkness!
It's such a gorgeous restoration! Really makes it feel like you're right there with everyone.
I wish she was alive to see the way she has impacted the world.
Dear Matt, your videos always make me cry because of the incommensurable love, respect and compassion you obviously pour into them (They are also incredibly informative and well-researched, of course. And I loooove when you explain all the different cultural nuances, especially when it comes to the language)
This made me cry. I had been told that we didn’t exist back then, that it was a newfound thing. God bless them.
I have the right to show my color darling! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 THAT PART. Let em have it!
I have pre-ordered the documentary on Blu-Ray from Amazon. It will be released on June 2nd.
I’ve seen the Queen many times and I’d love to see the outtakes. The first time I saw it in the 90’s in some indie theater I was really struck by how much the queens were like me and my friends. Some of the words change but honey, the attitude is forever!💄👄👠
I love this history nerd dressed as a sailor. I really love him
So crazy I just watched this on Netflix last week. Thank you so much for making the videos you make Matt! I absolutely adore you. I know that I don’t understand what it’s like the be a part of the lgbtq+ community and to deal with all that they do as a cis gendered straight girl. Ever since I was a child my mothers friends were mainly gay men and women and I always assumed everyone loved them as much as I did. It wasn’t until I was older I could understand the amount of hardships and unfair treatment there was. I am always looking to educate myself more and to help the community in anyway I can and you’re videos are furthering that education. I want to be the best ally I can be so I can stand for the rights the community and humanity should already have. I can’t wait until Paris is burning! ❤️
LaBeija is LEGENDARY!!!
This is my favorite of your videos yet - thank you so much, Matt!
I can't wait for your Paris is Burning video.
Everyone has a moment that defines their legacy and for some reason hearing her say “I am beautiful and I know I am beautiful” just felt so powerful.
The passion you put into these videos can be felt across the screen. Well done!
1960s interesting snap shot of a small section of the "'Gay" male community.
Pre-StoneWall. Crystal La Beija ATE UP this whole Documentary.
This was so incredibly interesting and I loved and enjoyed every minute of it! Thank you so much 🙏
This was a AWESOME video Matt. Thank you!
Very well done. You capture what happened quite well. Thank you for bringing this history to us. It's so important to know.
This was amazing!!! Thank you so much!!! 😍
That was absolutely fascinating. I need to see this movie. Thank you for shedding a light on it.
This video feels especially important right now and I thank you for that ❤️
Matt Thanks for this video. FYI @7:49 the young man speaking is the late and legendary, Pepper LaBeija. He was the mother of The House of LaBeija after Crystal for decades and was featured in Paris Is Burning.
I happened to stumble across this movie one day. Once I started watching, I couldn’t stop. Thank you so much for adding social context to this video. I truly enjoyed and appreciate your work in this video.
"Don't tell her about showing no color" !!
!!!
Excellent research @MattBaume. Thank you.
This was a very touching video, Matt! Great work!
I love you Matt. Thank you for being.
Simply the best series on CZcams. It's fun as all get out, crazy informative and it gives me the opportunity to step into a world I usually know very little about. I look sooooooo forward to every episode - thank you Mr. Baume!¡!
I love your videos! I'm so excited you're doing Paris is Burning!
what a wonderfully insightful review and breakdown, thank you for putting such care into covering this film and providing context and backstory
Thank you for all of the historical context. REALLY interesting!
I love this 💕 Allways enjoy learning and seeing your videos
I look forward to watching Kino Lorber’s upcoming Blu-ray release of the recent restoration of The Queen! It’s going to have a significant amount of supplemental material, including unseen archival footage. Should be good stuff.
When does it come out?
Pls, more Crystal and co. Less Harlow.
fantasic narration and editing. . thank-you :)
This video is so enlightening! Thank you!
MATT - THANK YOU FOR YOUR VIDEOS - YOU REACH OUT AND TOUCH PEOPLE WHO ARE ISOLATED AND IT REALLY HELPS. KEEP WELL AND STRONG AND KNOW THAT WE LOVE YOU.
Thanks for making this video, really awesome job!!!!!
It’s been bothering me since I first saw The Queen, the person that was speaking about wanting to join the military looks exactly like Pepper LaBeija but I haven’t been able to find proof of this. I can’t be the only person that thinks this. 😩😩😩😩
It must be pepper...it makes sense
I think it is!
It is Pepper. The proof is that Pepper is from New Jersey and he Stated in Paris is Burning and was denied.
That’s pepper ! Crystal was her drag mother
It’s definitely Pepper. Same voice, eyes, mannerisms.
hi Matt, thank you for this excellent video. I saw The Queen on Netflix some time ago, I was really glad to see it because when I saw Aja do her first on Drag Race, I didn't know the reference.
Once again, you did your homework, and earned an A+. This is fantastic!
Thank you for this video
Love this Culture Cruise, Matthew! Thanks for mentioning it on Twitch :)
Nothing makes me wish months away like this show does!
Thank you so much for this!
谢谢你!
I thoroughly enjoyed it!!!
I love this SO much! Thank you.
Loved this video especially the little clip from The Worst Witch!
This channel is important and I appreciate your effort!
Just found your channel and I’m obsessed I love it
brilliantly informative, thank you !
Omg thank you for this amazing video 🥰❤️
You did a good job on this video. I learned a lot from you. Thanks
Always a well researched and written docuvlog 🌈❤️ the ending lines hit hard
I was just watching this last weekend!!
I just love all of the wonderful content that is being put out by this channel! As a younger member of the LGBTQ+ community I think its important to educate myself on the deep and rich history of the community and channels like this help a lot. Keep up the amazing content Mr. Matt Baume!
Wow I just got done watching your video "the hidden history of paris is burning" and I cake to watch here and I'm just in love of your explanations and executions!!! And I spotted one of my ballroom idols THE ICON, THE BLUE PRINT WHITNEY GARÇON, now he his a Garçon I think back at the start of his career he was a mugler then made his on how, "Comme des Garçon" simply iconic haha
awesome !!! we need more videos like this on youtube about our culture
Your videos are always so informative! I wish I was in a position where I could give to your Patreon to fund this awesome content.
Keep up the great work! Amazing!
Thank you! Tell your friends! :)
The last minutes is the only part you need to see!
What's crazy about the military thing is my dad was in the air force during that time and he said something to the effect that if someone saved your life it didn't matter what the guy was, whether he was straight, gay, black or white, All that mattered was that he saved your life. I don't know if that was the prevailing thought back then of most rank and file air force soldiers, but it was with my dad.
Thank u. Missing the drag shows
congratulations on your book! I will go check it out now. :)