COURTNEY ACT
THE FABULOUS COURTNEY ACT TELLS ok!’s KATIE LANGFORD-FOSTER ABOUT BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS
Last week marked the official 20th anniversary of the first ever episode of Big Brother. For former housemate Courtney Act, the show holds a very special place in her heart.
Here in the UK, we first got to know both Courtney and her alter ego, Shane Jenek, two years ago, when she was crowned winner of Celebrity Big Brother. But globally, the performer is very much a reality TV queen.
She shot to fame on
Australian Idol in 2003, is a past runner-up in
Rupaul’s Drag Race, and made a cameo on Neighbours in celebration of Pride month.
Here, the star, 38, talks about growing up and what we can expect from her 2021 Fluid tour...
Now that you’ve appeared on Neighbours, you’re like the new Kylie Minogue...
[Laughs] I’m glad you made that realisation as well. I was so excited because I grew up watching Neighbours and it was always a rite of passage for an Australian to become famous in the UK after getting on the show. I feel I’ve done it the other way around.
Growing up, did you ever think that drag would be welcomed into mainstream entertainment shows as it is today?
Absolutely not. I started drag in the year 2000. I knew back then that if I ever wanted a career in entertainment, I couldn’t do drag or be gay. I remember every time I did drag, I was like, “Oh God, people are going to find out...” Now, I’m glad they did because it was the best decision I ever made! But to see how far the world has come in 20 years, has been mind-blowing.
You’d be a brilliant Big Brother host if it ever returns...
I’d love that. Davina [Mccall] and Rylan [Clark-neal] did an amazing job on the recaps and I love Emma [Willis] so much, but of course I’d be more than happy to be involved.
Your chats with Ann Widdecombe on CBB proved you’re great at initiating educational conversations as opposed to ‘cancel culture’...
Yeah, I think that’s so important. There are two types of cancel culture. There’s, “We’re cancelling you because you said something dumb once.” Good people live their digital lives in fear because of that and I don’t think that’s healthy. Then there’s cancel culture because someone’s racist, homophobic or so on. Ann is someone who, in 23 years of parliament, voted against every single piece of LGBT+ legislation that ever came before her. But I always loved the idea that I’d rather be effective than be right. It’s very easy to say, “No, you’re wrong and I’m right.” But then you never actually get anywhere.
What are you most looking forward to as lockdown eases?
I just want to have a good night out! I’m gagging to get in fabulous drag, spend four hours getting ready and then go to a club. I want to stumble out when the sun’s up!
What can we expect from your Fluid tour next year?
We’ve got to make up for lost time – Fluid is such a good night out!