Future Underground – Virgin X
The brainchild of actor Drew Caiden, Virgin X uses the power of drag to breathe new life into one of Christianity’s most iconic figures - and raise some hell while doing so.
Photo Matt Ford. Words Joshua Graham. Jacket/belt: Monika Bereza Bodysuit/gloves/hood: Libidex Headpiece: Casta Hex Corset Am Statik Necklace No Wear Designs
The saying may be “the bigger the hair, the closer to God”, but for the Virgin Mary herself, forgoing a triple-stacked wig for a heavenly headpiece may be the way to go. At least that rings true for drag performer Virgin X, whose cabaret shows have made her a fixture in London’s queer club scene.
“I thought it would be really cool to reimagine her as this very outspoken, very crass, modern-day 14-year-old girl in the form a drag queen”, explains Caiden. “She works quite well as a drag queen because the church has stripped her of sexuality and gender”.
Vegan Glitter Makeup by Millie Dollar Beauty Dress/cape Cygan Official Headpiece Marco Tullio Siviglia Neck corset @misty_couture
Like many queer people, Caiden’s relationship with the church isn’t so straightforward. Growing up in a small Oregon town that could only be described “white, middle-class, heteronormative and Christian”, it was difficult not to feel othered. Spending their formative years in the church, Caiden early on felt a connection to the Virgin Mary, another figure seemingly othered by Christianity. Referring to her as a “blank canvas”, its the lack of a fully developed character that makes the Virgin Mary, Caiden’s ultimate muse. “She’s such a cornerstone of the religion, but she has no personality. She has no voice. We really know nothing about her”. A point that Caiden believes exemplifies Christianity’s long-standing view on women and femininity.
“I use Virgin’s voice to say, ‘all they want you to be is a nice person, be decent’
Not anti-religion by any means, it’s the misogyny and homophobia rooted in religious institutions that Caiden strives to subvert through the glitter eyed and moustache bearing Virgin X. And what better way to do so than through performing comedic parodies of pop songs written by Caiden. In “Let Us Pee” (a play on The Beatles “Let It Be”), Virgin X sings about the ridiculousness surrounding the debate on gendered restrooms. “I use Virgin’s voice to say, ‘all they want you to be is a nice person, be decent’. Do unto others what you want them to do to you.”
It’s how these misogynistic and homophobic attitudes ring throughout our society that plays a big role in Virgin X’s conception. Prior to their lucrative drag career, Caiden recalls the homophobia they experienced while at drama school. After performing in drag for their third-year showcase, Caiden was told by his instructor that he would never make a living as a drag queen.
The stigma around the effeminate male in the acting industry is really bad. For 3 years my instructors were like “don’t do this with your hand, and don’t talk like this, and don’t do these gestures”. By the time I left, I didn’t know who I was anymore. I feel like I went to drama school a very good actor, and left a very mediocre one. Because it stripped all my individuality. And it took me the better part of 7 years to find it again, to find what I’m good at as a performer.
“As artists, as freelance people, there are some people who’ll pay you what you’re worth and there are people who will take advantage of you.”
It was the internet that gave Caiden a platform to reexamine their identity as a performer - creating original characters, including an early prototype of Virgin X. Admittedly not becoming a viral superstar, the outlet was vital in stimulating creativity and regaining their confidence as a performer. No longer deterred by the mental roadblocks set up from drama school, Caiden performed his Virgin Mary character for a local drag competition, won, and the bookings never stopped.
“I think it’s a testament to being an artist. A lot of people do things because they think they should do them, rather than just doing things they want to do. If there’s something that you want to do, the likelihood is you’ll shine. And if you shine people will pay attention.”
Head Piece IncogniD’or Long, Vegan Leather and leopard print coat HOUSE OF NARCISSISM Bodysuit, Hood: Libidex Boots fit for a Drag Queen FM Heels UK
And shine Virgin X has - but it hasn’t been without its struggles. London nightlife has always been tumultuous, with queer venues often at higher risk of closing to make way for luxury flats and office spaces. Caiden explains it’s “the other places, like queer venues, that will always suffer” because of gentrification. “The real gems like The Glory, Dalston Superstore and Vogue Fabrics, are the places where you experience the real nitty-gritty of London nightlife”. One of Virgin X’s early cabaret hubs, The Black Cap in Camden, shut its doors back in 2015.
While the number of LGBTQ+ venues has stabilised in the past couple years under Mayor Sadiq Khan’s efforts to protect them from gentrification, nobody could predict that the next big threat to queer venues would be a global pandemic. As COVID-19 spread around the globe, businesses were forced to close their doors during London’s three-month lockdown. “There’s only so much these [venues] can take. If there’s another wave, venues will close. There will be casualties.”
Head piece by Marco Tullio Sivglia
“Without the artists at these venues, you’re missing half the equation. These venues need things happening”
As for queer performers, Caiden believes now is the time to be more creative than ever. Spending the lockdown at his family’s home in Oregon, they once again turned to online as their creative outlet. Performing Virgin X’s “Sunday Sermons”, an hour-long digital cabaret show to their followers on Instagram live. “People would say things in the comments, and I got to address them and we had a nice little kiki and kept it casual. I found that that was a nice way of approaching it because people needed a vacation, they want to laugh”
The biggest struggle Caiden faced was finding a decent internet connection, prompting them to perform these sermons at their old high school parking lot. “Even without a stage, without the internet, in public in broad daylight, at my old highschool nonetheless, I’ll survive. People were really generous, people donated through PayPal for the shows. It was heartwarming and really gave me faith for the arts.”
Head Piece IncogniD’or Bodysuit, Hood: Libidex Boots fit for a Drag Queen FM Heels UK
And with it came revelations of Caiden’s future as a performer, and the power they have in controlling their career trajectory. “As artists, as freelance people, there are some people who’ll pay you what you’re worth and there are people who will take advantage of you. This whole time showed me that I have a lot more control than I thought I did, and that’s incredibly powerful.”
While performers may be able to shift to the digital sphere, what’s the solution for London’s venues post lockdown? “Put shit on”, declares Caiden. “Without the artists at these venues, you’re missing half the equation. These venues need things happening. People are feeling scared to come out, but within the health and safety requirements, its good to encourage people to support these venues.”
Virgin X’s first post lockdown show was at The Glory earlier this month, which Caidan describes as a “great mess”. Originally planned as a cabaret show in the hopes that government-issued health regulations would lift, the show was reworked as a pub quiz. “I fucking hate quizzes”, proclaims Caiden. But that didn’t stop them entertaining the crowd, explaining the show was really only 10% quiz. “Most people came and were just happy to be out, and see something.” Caiden has hopes that the next show will be even better, with “Virgin’s Sit Down Affair” described as a “celestial soiree” at The Glory on September 11th.
Latex biker jacket Antidote London latex, Headpiece Janedoe Latex Hood and bodysuit Libidex
As the UK officially enters a post lockdown recession, more than ever will London’s underground LGBTQ+ venues, and the performers that breathe life into them, be under threat. But even amidst a global pandemic and economic uncertainty, Caiden remains eternally optimistic. “I believe art will always prevail. People need a fantasy, and people need to laugh and people need to cry. Art gives you all of that. No matter the landscape, even if it’s rubble, there will be drag shows in the rubble. I’ll be doing drag shows in the rubble.” Not a bad way to view the end of the world.
Jacket/belt: @monikabereza Bodysuit/gloves/hood: @libidex Headpiece: @casta_hex
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