FEATURE

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Jacqui Potato is one of East London’s premier drag queens. A pan-pipe wielding, sequin weaving, hanging off ceilings delight who graces our nightlife with her stress-free Jacqui attitude!

Jacqui’s social media antics include being founder of the all-famed “DRAG NAMES” group on Facebook, which now has over 3,000 members. She recently compiled a 100 best drag names list for QX Magazine and she also posts, “Animal of the Day”, which keeps us in contact with the weird and wonderful world of tranny nature.

Furthermore, Jacqui has been known to turn into Amy Mulled-Winehouse during the festive season and turn out a wonderful Kate Bush impersonation in times of emergency.

I have known Jacqui just over a year now and she claims to be the proud owner of 51% of me.

It’s time her wonderful mind was unleashed on the public, so here’s an interview with Jacqui Potato…

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Q. I met you in a club…who are you?

A. I am Jacqui Potato … I’m a drag queen costume enthusiast and DJ in East London.

Q. Donuts or Shakes?

A. Shakes (my ass).

Q. Chicken or Steak?

A. Chicken costume!

Q. Black Rat Snake or Chiffon Cake?

A. Chiffon cake.

Q. How long have you lived in London?

A. I have lived in London 15 years.

Q. What bought you here?

A. The neon lights of Soho first attracted me at the age of 12.

Q. Who are your biggest inspirations visually?

A. Jean Paul Goude/Grace Jones, Jean Dubuffet.

Q. Who are your favourite music artists?

A. Bjork, Siouxsie Sioux, David Bowie, The Knife.

Q. How do you feel about age?

A. Age is an attitude .. so like, if you feel younger, that will come across.

Q. What is your view on Gender? Do you relate to it’s current scientific definitions of man and woman?

A. I am ok with gender as it is currently defined. If you are a man and you feel like a man and you are happy with that, then fine… but I feel very ‘womanly’ at times. My sex is that I am a man biologically, but my gender is a bit flexible. I wanna use those things that women use to feel sassy and fabulous; I wanna have long hair, but not all the time, I wanna wear make up, but not all the time. I don’t really feel like what I do is female impersonation. I just feel like it’s dressing up, confidence, good times and a bit of trashy glamour.

Q. What does the London Club Scene mean to you?

A. The London club scene for me, is a place to be sociable and creative… and at best, a place free of pressure. That’s why “Sink the Pink” is good ‘cos it has this ‘freeing’ vibe… I am not into exclusivity… I prefer inclusivity. I love people to look hot and be fabulous, but don’t be this place ONLY full of hot, fabulous people… it will get snobby really quickly, and boring.

Q. How do you feel about London in it’s present social/economic/political climate?

A. I think London is a major, major world city full of money, power, buildings, restaurants, clubs, culture, the lot!! It’s a city that really has it all… It’s huge. I am very pro-London, because its where I live and I believe in it. I am concerned that young people, creative people and those who are not well off will be pushed out of the city. It really feels like the arts are not as supported as much as they could be by this Conservative government. And I fear for the NHS too. I do however, not have the solution within my grasp as i’m not a hugely political person. It is unfortunately, a very expensive city to live in.

Q. If there’s anything you could change about London what would it be?

A. I would consider how the wealth of the city could be better distributed. It does feel very much like the rich are simply getting richer… and for what? Once they are as rich as they are, what is the need to get richer? Greed? I would say a big congratulations to those in power and those who have done very well for themselves; but then i would say, please find good ways to be generous towards those less fortunate than you in London.

Q. Is Jacqui Potato just a bit of fun or something more?

A. Jacqui Potato is just a bit of fun, thats the way it started. I hope that I am a fun person, and sometimes good to have a chat to. I play music to make a few people dance sometimes. It’s something more in that I am hoping that I project freedom of expression, being a bit silly is good for the soul. And you don’t HAVE to be tall, you don’t HAVE to be gorgeous, you don’t HAVE to be an adonis, you don’t HAVE to be young… just do what you like and go for it, as long as it doesn’t harm you or anyone else in the process.

Q. Do you feel there are certain expectations placed on what Jacqui Potato should be?

A. Yeah, people may expect me to be a drunk, messy, energetic creature, (because i have been for the last 4 or 5 years)… Not sure if I wanna do that forever. I have personality and humour, so hopefully I wont need to be drunk.

Q. What’s next for Jacqui Potato? Where can we see you?

A. I am gonna be at “The Glory”, on Friday June 5th, at the “Sink the Pink Summer Ball”, on June 20th and at Glastonbury in the “NYC Downlow”, in Block 9 . I love it there, huge fun!

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And there you go. That’s a serving of mash for you from the Potato Queen herself.

Jacqui, Artpornblog cherishes you dearly!

We love you and so does the universe.

Many Thanks,

Ted Rogers “Artpornblog”.

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Order a very limited edition Jacqui Potato T-shirt at:

https://sinkthepink.pressup.io/sinkthepink

Check out Jacqui on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/180189245403416

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