Yes, Toronto’s Michelle DuBarry has just been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as THE World’s Oldest Drag Queen. DuBarry is the alter ego of Russell Allread, who celebrated his 84th birthday on Monday. (Btw, his drag moniker is taken from the 1943 Lucille Ball film Du Barry Was a Lady.)
Born in Bowmanville, Ont., was only 9 years old when he started putting on dresses and he started performing in the early ’60s as Anita Modé and later, as Michelle DuBarry. DuBarry has been an icon in Toronto’s drag community for decades and as Guinness World Record title holder, she’ll receive an official certificate and will be listed in the 2017 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records, published next fall.
But there’s a contender for the title! In Portland, Oregon, fans of Darcelle XV — the drag alter ego of 85-year-old Walter Cole — insist she should be the real record holder. And I’m not sure but I think Lady Bunny is the same age, so there’s a drag battle looming!
(Bottom photo, Kara Dillon; via Pop Goes the News)
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