By Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Photos by Just Toby
She is Brigitte Bidet, hostess, emcee, and newly crowned winner of Atlanta All Star 2023. DAVID caught up with the showgirl extraordinaire to talk about her win, gigs, and what’s next for Brigitte.
You recently won the Atlanta All Star pageant, which was an eight-week long competition run. Tell us about that whole journey.
Originally, I entered the contest as a way to challenge myself creatively. When you do drag 5-7 nights a week, it can sometimes feel like you plateau or start to “phone it in”, so I needed some kind of incentive to prove to myself that I am just as creative now as I was when I first got into this business. The process was kind of grueling but luckily, I had the time and resources to feel prepared for every challenge. There were some really high highs and some very frustrating lows, but it all seemed to work out in the end.
What is about you that is very ‘Brigitte Bidet’ and made you stand out as the winner?
There are so many factors that can make you the winner in situations like this. Anyone who does pageants knows that it often comes down to minor details and close margins. What I do know is that I stayed true to myself the entire time, pushed myself to come up with new concepts and also used it as a chance to revamp some of my favorite performances. Being Brigitte Bidet means not giving a f*ck about what anyone else thinks and doing it 100% for myself. Luckily, people are interested in what I do on stage, and the support of my friends and community is what really made me feel like a winner.
The title also came with a nice chunk of cash. What are you going to do with the money? Spend it on a RuPaul’s Drag Race audition package?
I’m going to save it! Not enough drag artists think about the long game. There will be a day when Brigitte can’t do splits off the bar, and I need to make sure I’m putting some cash towards my future. And as far as RuPaul goes… I can make 200K on my own (just kidding, please cast me!!).
But seriously, would you consider being part of the RuPaul franchise?
Yes, but it is up to them at this point. I have auditioned an embarrassing number of times, so now I just live in a fantasy world where that show doesn’t exist, and I have to forge my own career, my own path.
Competition shows aside, tell us where Atlantans can see you perform?
I host Wednesday and Thursday nights at Lips, Fridays at Future, and Sundays I do Drag Bingo at Colony Square. I am also involved with Wussy and can be seen at many of their events. If you want to see me, it’s booking@brigittebidet.com. And yes, I do house calls, birthdays, and bar mitzvahs!
How has it been to ‘come of age’ as a drag superstar in Atlanta?
It feels like a dream, and I know what a huge blessing it is. Being a full-time drag queen is not for the faint of heart, but every day I am gagged that this is my career, and I can support myself as an artist and entertainer. It was a very gradual progression but I’m loving this current chapter of my life.
Your year has already been crazy – what’s next for Brigitte?
More gigs! More opportunities! More creativity. I like to let things unfold, ride the wave, and see where this all takes me. They say if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. So, I say no plans, just vibes!
Anything else you’d like to add?
SUPPORT LOCAL DRAG! I would be nothing without the support of friends and audiences. There are a lot more stars on the rise, so make sure you’re gassing us up now and not just after a big break.
