Gender Euphoria in Dystopia - A DeafBlackQueer Drag Performance by Mondo Vaden (Performing as Mondo Millions)

This work was created in the middle of COVID-19, when I was isolated from my Deaf/queer community. I feel that this video illustrates how things changed after COVID because I had to go from performing BIG in front of people, to performing in smaller, more private spaces like this one, which is filmed on the patio of my apartment, on a rainy day, with a camera propped on a small patio chair. I had to learn how to create video edits of what was previously an in person performance, and I had to get more skill at performing my drag without assistance. I already had to spend a large amount of time memorizing my song and timings and figuring out how to interpret songs into sign. Learning to edit videos and add captions was a new skill I'm glad I gained! I adapted my drag for myself, to express myself and all the things that make me, me! I chose the song "It Will Rain" by Bruno Mars for this performance because it reminds me of how much I miss the communities that support all aspects of my DeafBlackQueer intersectionality. My drag performances are personal and expressive. Mondo Millions is a gender euphoric love letter to myself, and the person I'm trying to be. Thank you for watching!

Mondo Vaden (Performing as Mondo Millions)

Gender Euphoria in Dystopia - A DeafBlackQueer Drag Performance by Mondo Vaden (Performing as Mondo Millions)

2021

Preforming arts

Mondo Millions, a light skinned Black person with purple and brown locs performs as a very masculine Drag King to the song "It Will Rain" by Bruno Mars, the music plays throughout. The background is a light color, and it is visually nighttime. Mondo is alone, wearing a dark grey button up shirt with dark jeans. He dances with a chair and appears to be singing the song like he’s having a conversation with the audience. At one point in the video, he unbuttons his shirt to reveal a mesh black shirt underneath, with a large locket necklace and a chain necklace. He performs in a sensual but emotionally distraught manner, and picks up a flower at one point to help him woo the audience. The video ends with a short clip of Mondo Millions performing the same song in a nightclub, with an audience that is being very supportive of his performance and singing along to the song. The final view in the video is of a white text on black background message from Mondo that says, “Performing as a DeafBlackTrans Drag King has given me new avenues of self expression and gender euphoria. During quarantine, virtual performances allowed me to explore what it means to connect with my intersectional identity, performing as my DeafBlackQueer masculine self, and being brave for ME, not just for a crowd. Thank you for being a part of my community, and part of my personal story. With Love, Mondo Millions”