Living the dream _{by Alessia Belsito-Riera}

For the first time in the show’s history, RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under featured a Wellington-based drag queen. That certified star is none other than our high-energy pop diva Olivia Dreams! Originally from Te Tai Tokerau and of Te Rarawa descent, she has been calling Te Whanganui-a-Tara home for the last four years and has made it her mission to create a welcoming, accessible, and diverse space for Rainbow and disability communities. When she’s not bopping around Pōneke stages or hosting bingo nights, she’s touring the motu with her own drag shows – no wonder she holds the title as the biggest producer of drag in Wellington!

Though Olivia’s RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under journey came to an end in episode two, she knows this is only the beginning for her. “Sometimes you have to give everyone a little taster before serving the whole meal,” she beams.

Just because she’s out doesn’t mean she’s not still hyped about the show. You can watch along with her as episodes are released every Monday night at Dirty Little Secret or every Friday at Ivy Bar and Cabaret, recapping each gag-worthy moment and behind-the-scenes exclusive along the way. In the meantime, Olivia spilled the tea with me!

What was your first thought when you heard the news?

I was at work, and I took the phone call in a meeting booth, which has clear walls, and I just started crying. I looked out of the room, and I locked eyes with this team that were having a meeting right outside and they all just turned to me like, ‘Are you okay?’ I was just so happy I started bawling my eyes out.

Before we jump into talking about the show, tell me about your drag journey.

I had just moved to Wellington from Whangārei and I was still new to the city. One of my friends said, ‘Hey, let’s go out and watch this drag show.’ It was the first drag show I had ever seen, and it was at Hannah Playhouse, and after the show I just thought, ‘Wow, that looked like so much fun, I think I could do that.’ So I messaged the producer Kelly Fornia, saying I was really interested and excited to get into drag. The rest is history! Four years down the line and here I am.

Meant to be!

Exactly! I sort of fell into drag. I didn’t really have any performance [background], I’m not a theatre kid, never did plays growing up. I was quite introverted actually. The thing that I like about drag is it’s a way for people to escape from reality for a bit. My experience with drag – and I don’t want to diminish anyone else’s – is it’s quite silly, it’s fun, we’re here to bring joy, create excitement, jazz things up a little bit. I go by the ethos, if I can get at least one person to smile or laugh, then I’ve done my job.

What were you most looking forward to about being on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under?

This is going to sound really corny, but what I was most excited about was being the first queen from Wellington. It’s been four seasons now and I know there had been rumblings throughout the community about why it kept getting missed. So, it was exciting to be the face of Wellington for the first time ever on the show. Being like ‘Hey, Wellington does exist, we’re here, we do drag too!’

How did you want to rep the city?

I wanted to showcase our style of drag. Every region or hub has a different style, and I think the best thing about Wellington drag is that it’s quite a mixing pot. There’s a little bit of everything. I wanted to put Te Whanganui-a-Tara firmly on the map and showcase the different facets of what Wellington drag is.

How would you define Welly drag?

I don’t know how else to say it, but I like Wellington drag because it’s a little bit rough around the edges. I think it gives performers a bit more personality rather than a cookie-cutter queen. It’s nice to have that point of difference. That roughness means that it’s not robotic or overrehearsed or disingenuous. We’re there in the moment with the audience and that is the number one thing. We love what we do, we’re passionate, and we’re actually some of the kindest queens I’ve ever met. We’re really nice and we look out for each other.

Was the experience everything you hoped it would be? Or did you try not to have expectations and just enjoy it?

I tried to go in with no expectations. In the week leading up to it and while I was there, I was like, ‘You’re going to be here and have fun, don’t get in your head.’ But as soon as it all started that went out the window and it was like, ‘Oh my god what am I doing here? I’ve made a mistake.’ Trying to fight that inner saboteur. As much as I had prepped and tried to think, ‘Whatever happens, happens,’ there was still that ‘Oh my god’ feeling.

What was your biggest takeaway?

The fact that I am good at what I do. Being around so many other talented, powerhouse performers in their own field, you can feel a little bit insecure about yourself, but my biggest takeaway from the experience was that I was included in that group – I was there for a reason, so I am on that level with them. Taking that and holding onto that thought that I am good at what I do. It’s hard as a performer because you’re always asking yourself if you’re doing the right thing, if you’re in the moment, and analysing everything, but it was a really nice confidence and ego boost to be a part of such an experience.

Growing up, everyone wants to be famous, and I did too, I just never thought this would be the way I’d achieve it. It’s such a surreal experience and I have had friends and coworkers tell me they’ve seen me, that I’m filled with so much confidence and how great it is. It’s heartwarming to hear that from friends and family and even people I don’t speak to or that are acquaintances who have hopped in to say congratulations. I keep having to pinch myself because it still doesn’t feel real. Even though my face is plastered all over everything now, it feels like some weird fever dream I’m going to wake up from.