Perhaps Ireland’s youngest drag queen, Cork native Kevin Corr, age 14, who goes by the drag name Karma O’Hara, has taken his fierce talent out of his sitting room to win the title ‘Little Miss Mockie Ah.’
The competition, held in Cork’s Crane Lane Theatre, marked the young queen’s first time performing on stage.
In an interview with Echo Live, the teen shared that he has used his sitting room as a stage to express drag for years. His mother, Claire says “I used to get annoyed how the sitting room floor was pitted with stiletto marks from his routines, but now I realise it was all worth it.”
Kevin said he was deeply inspired by RuPaul’s Drag Race, which helped him to hone drag into a creative outlet and showed him anything was possible.
He notes that expressing himself through drag has enabled him to work through shyness and self-doubt.
He told Echo Live, “Normally I’m very shy. When someone in the chipper asks me if I’d like salt or vinegar I’ll get nervous and stutter my words. However, when I’m on stage that shyness leaves me and I feel nothing but confidence. Before seeing Ru Paul’s Drag Race I never realised that queens could look that fabulous.”
His mother also shares that she at first had difficulty accepting her son as gay when he came out at age 12, citing that she was ‘horrified’ when he said he wanted to be a drag queen.
But just two years later, she said “I had seen him performing in our sitting room so many times. But after seeing him with the professional lighting and the reaction he got, I could have disintegrated with pride.”
Claire notes that Kevin is an empathetic and kind young man, who says that he hopes to use drag to be an activist for LGBT+ people.
The Drag Troupe ‘Mockie Ah’ of Cork, who hosted Karma at their drag competition, is bringing their Vogue Ball to Dublin this Pride on Friday, June 28th.
The inclusive event will boast six categories along with a final round, where the very first Dublin winner of the ball will be announced! Categories will range from ‘Butch Queen’ (first time in drag) to Club Kids and the groups favourite ‘Body Positivity.’
Candy Warhol, host and founder of ‘Mockie Ah’ commented: “I’m so excited to be bringing Mockie Ah to Dublin for the first time! Our brand of drag is very diverse, welcoming and loving and our annual Vogue Ball is always my highlight each year! I cannot wait to shine the spotlight on the beautiful people of Dublin and no doubt find some new stars!”
For more information on the legendary drag group and their shows, check out their Facebook and Instagram.
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