The Zhoosh! Brighton Blog
Jamie: Drag Queen at 16
“I’ve had a secret, I’ve had to hide it my whole life” begins Jamie Campbell on BBC3 documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16. The documentary follows his journey to perform as his alias FiFi La True and ultimately go to his high school prom dressed in drag.
Jamie has faced difficulties since coming out at 14 and states he cannot remember a single day in his life when he hasn’t been told he’s different or a freak. Therefore, arriving at his prom provides the double whammy of revealing who he really is to his peers and “not letting them win.” Brave boy.
We get immersed in all areas of Jamie’s life, from his relationship with his parents and friends to seeing his first performance as Fifi (‘wow, what legs’ has to be the most common remark myself and my partner uttered during this scene). The program is immensely refreshing, watching his mother by his side making him stand by his convictions when he falters is wonderful to watch. Similarly, when the students say they won’t participate when a teacher won’t let him enter the prom is a heartfelt and moving moment. No one at the school seems phased by his transformation, even some of the guys remark “I’d dance with him.”
Jamie Campbell aka Fifi La True
Sadly the programme is not all rainbows and kittens. It is somewhat marred by sadness when his father says post prom that he doesn’t want to see him again, and criticises him for ruining the prom for his own self gain. However, with his mums unwavering support and his own determination, he seems sad but not deterred.
The documentary is like nothing I have ever seen on TV and is most certainly worth a look before it disappears from iplayer. Catch it while you can.
Couldn’t agree more, the programe was brilliant and what was refreshing was here was someone gay who not only felt positive in his own skin but had the full support of his mum and friends. I think the true telling of the times was how Jamie dealt with his dad’s negative comments. dispite Jamie longing for his dad to accept him, he said,he’d wait for his dad to come roudn to his way of thinking.