Despite negative attention caused by headliner, the rest of the weekend ran smoothly with appearances by Violet Chachki, Gottmik, Marina, Slayyyter, Cupcakke and local drag talent
By Jose Cassola jocacommunications@outlook.com
Wynwood Pride made headlines this weekend for its fourth iteration, but the mainstream publicity was largely due to its controversial headliner.
Rapper Azealia Banks took to the stage Saturday morning at 3 a.m. after she was originally scheduled to perform at midnight, per Wynwood Pride’s website.
Banks, appearing with her breasts exposed, sang only four songs from her set list when she stopped to complain about event organizers’ alleged unprofessionalism, which included, according to Banks, a shuffling around of her performance and an ignored request of no dry ice, which she is extremely allergic to.
“I’m really not happy to be here,” Banks began saying on stage. “I’m so unhappy to be here, but what did the fans ever do? What did you guys ever do, right? I’m trying, y’all. But it’s difficult.”
When her microphone was cut off during the rant, Banks subsequently tossed it, gave middle fingers to the booing crowd and walked off stage escorted by security. One fan even appeared to throw water at her during her exit.
On Twitter, Banks said “Wynwood Pride was way too ghetto. I had to bounce,” before going on a tirade about South Florida Hispanics and “young undocumented gay boys” being exploited for nightlife entertainment.
Public reaction was mostly unsympathetic to Banks.
On social media, David Bloom wrote: “What artist goes onstage two hours late at 3 a.m. fried like she was with her boobs out? Plus, she has a history of using homophobic and transphobic slurs. She was complaining about not getting top billing, badmouthing the organization that hired her. They correctly cut her mic. She was a big mistake.”
Karloz Torres added: “No matter what happens behinds the scenes, it is the responsibility of an entertainer to make sure the show goes on. Beyonce, Lady Gaga or Kylie Minogue (who was in town) would never ever pull a stunt like this. You never disrespect your audience or your fans.”
Despite the negative attention Wynwood Pride received for Banks’ antics, the rest of the weekend continued smoothly with generally on-time performances from other celebrity guests, including RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni Violet Chachki and Gottmik, Welsh pop singer-songwriter Marina, Slayyyter and Cupcakke, among others.
Prior to the weekend’s events, a spokesperson for Wynwood Pride promised “a glittering marathon of neighborhood-wide drag shows, dance parties, brunches, surprise appearances, once-in-a-lifetime headliners, jaw-dropping drag, international DJs, art installations, the return of Miss Toto’s Funhouse, a vendor market, non-profit village and more” all weekend at the RC Cola Plant, a graffiti-filled venue that used to be an abandoned soda factory.
Organizers delivered on their promise.
Local drag talent consisted of Miss Toto, Regina Cocoa Lords, Opal Am Rah and the R House Wynwood Drag Brunch crew, including hostess Athena Dion, Morphine Love, Juicy Love, Kat Wilderness and FKA Twink.
On social media, Dion said she had an incredible time. “I performed alongside some of Miami’s most amazing entertainers and my drag family at Wynwood Pride. I had a great time with the community and it makes me really love my city so much more.”
Added Regina Cocoa Lords: “I’m floating on a cloud. I had such a blast performing at Wynwood Pride. The reception I got was just beyond surreal. I felt like a rockstar.”
The burlesque entertainer performed to Freddie Mercury’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Cocoa Lords said she “prayed to Freddie to grace” her with his presence and “everyone made [her] feel like he was there.”
“Thank you to everyone that went and just made my night so, so special. I’m beyond humbled to have had the pleasure to entertain such an amazing crowd,” she said.
Wynwood Pride wrapped Sunday with a free neighborhood takeover and a closing after-party at Oasis Miami.
“We want to give a huge thank you to everyone who contributed to making #WynwoodPride2022 one of the best Pride celebrations we could ever ask for,” said a spokesperson on social media.
Miami Gay News 