Betty will drag you on a trip
Land of sequins and feathers
ANEW reality television show aimed at changing perceptions of drag queens is about to hit South Africa’s screens in the form of Betty Bangles en die drie Dossers, led by one of the country’s most popular drag artists, Betty Bangles.
With a stroke of lip liner, the tightening of a corset and the careful teasing of his latest wig, Johannesburg hair stylist Bernard Buys, 37, transfor ms himself into the f abulous and daring Betty Bangles.
The s how comes to South African screens on July 7, on Via!, channel 147 on DStv at 9pm and there are eight episodes. It’s edgy and exciting, a first of its kind on South African television and is sure to raise a few eyebrows among the more conservative citizens.
“We are a channel that celebrates and depicts lifestyle choices, including from unique communities that for m the South African social kaleidoscope, and so we chose to commission this out of the box new reality show starring Betty Bangles,” says Pat van Heerden, head of content at Via!
The Afrikaans reality show will be based on everything drag. Betty Bangles, one of South Africa’s top
drag artists and the presenter and personality of the show, is on a mission to find her top three contestants to give them a chance to win the title of Miss Gay Mardi Gras Southern Africa.
But first, she goes through a process of elimination to find her top three, improve their craft and send them on a trip to the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras and Arts Festivalin Knysna.
“Filming Betty Bangles en die drie Dossers was filled with lots of laughs, tears and surprises,” says Hermi King, the show’s executive producer. “The show is the journey of three new-tothe-scene drag artists who get coached and polished by Betty Bangles.
Betty Bangles calls on a few of her fabulous celebrity friends to help judge and inspire the contestants. “The goal is to see if one of the three apprentices can win the Miss Gay Mardi Gras Southern Africa 2017 in Knysna. It has been an incredible journey to meet these wonderful people. I have such respect for their efforts and dedication,” says Betty.
Celebrities and special guests who appear in the show include Chris Martin, a.k.a Cleo (drag artist), Ryno Mulder, a . k. a Starr Wood, JJ Schoeman, Casper de Vries, Gavin Prins, Armand du Plessis, Bianca le Grange, Heidi du Toit from Hollywood Costumes, Demi Leigh Nel Peters, Tobie Jooste, Queens of Wigstock’s Olivia Mae, Victoria Styles, Jett Joans and Charnè.
The show also follows the reality of Betty and Bernard’s daily life. “There was a drag show and I remember how mesmerised I was by those drag queens on stage. I just thought to myself how fabulous it will be to continue my love for acting with sequins and feathers,” asserts Betty Bangles.
Getting to know Bernard Buys, the man behind Betty Bangles,one finds a friendly and easy-going guy with a heart of gold. He grew up in a conservative town called Potgietersrus in Limpopo and works as a hairdresser for a well-known salon in Clearwater Mall, west of Johannesburg. But there is more to Bernard than meets the eye.
Betty Bangles performs in a show at Beefcakes on Fridays and is a co-host of The Casper Radio Show on CliffCentral. She was also the face of Pink Loerie Mardi Grass 2016.