今日吃瓜

After two dazzling decades on Brisbane stages, beloved drag performer Shanny T-Bone has announced she鈥檚 taking a step back from drag 鈥渇or now鈥�.

In a moving Instagram post shared earlier this week, the co-host of Sporties’ VIP Thursdays reflected on their journey from a shy Sunshine Coast teen to one of Queensland鈥檚 most cherished drag icons.

鈥淲hen I was 20, I slipped on a pair of kitten heels, a frock, and some makeup, not knowing where this path would take me,鈥� wrote Shanny. 鈥淕rowing up on the Sunshine Coast, I always felt different鈥� I spent my days dreaming in my bedroom where no one could see.鈥�

The performer, known off-stage as Jim, described moving to Brisbane at 19 as an escape from a hometown that told them 鈥渂eing me wasn鈥檛 okay鈥�. It was in Brisbane鈥檚 queer nightlife scene that they found a sense of belonging鈥攁nd a calling.

鈥淭he first time I saw drag live, I was blown away. It wasn鈥檛 just entertainment鈥攊t was magic, family, and freedom,鈥� they wrote. 鈥淔or twenty years, drag has been my heartbeat. I鈥檝e given my soul, my body, my everything.鈥�

But after years of sacrifice and performing through heartbreaks, injuries and life changes, Shanny admitted that the spark had started to dim.

鈥淚 always said to myself, 鈥業 will continue to do drag as long as I鈥檓 having fun with it鈥�. But until recently, it hasn鈥檛 been,鈥� they shared. 鈥淚 took six weeks in Europe hoping to find my spark again, but instead, I realised I need space, time away from the stage to find Jim without Shanny.鈥�

Shanny鈥檚 departure from her regular hosting role of VIP Thursdays at the Sportsman Hotel was announced alongside warm tributes to co-hosts Mandy Moobs and Henny Spaghetti, and an outpouring of gratitude to the community that embraced her across two glittering decades.

鈥淭o every single person that has come into my life, one way or another because of drag, please know that you have all been shining stars and the light of my life, my universe would be dim,鈥� she wrote.

 

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QLD drag community’s beautiful response to Shanny T-Bone stepping back

The response from the drag community was immediate and effusive. Roxanne Redacted commented, 鈥淟ove you girl 鉂わ笍 you鈥檙e such a superstar and kind person. I鈥檝e loved calling you my friend all these years :)鈥�

Fellow queen Obsidian simply wrote, 鈥淚con, legend and a true diva 鉂わ笍鉂わ笍鈥�.

Drag Race Down Under alum Beverly Kills added: 鈥淵our impact across this country鈥檚 drag community is monumental mama. Being a Multi-Pageant winner鈥擭O one will take that from you鈥� enjoy a well-earned break diva.鈥�

Sarah Problem-Hoe echoed the sentiment: 鈥淵ou are an icon, a sister, friend, mentor, blueprint and most importantly an uncle first. A legend of the scene and a hall of fame of the hearts of all. LOVE YOU 鉂わ笍鈥�

While the announcement marks the end of an era, Shanny T-Bone made it clear this isn鈥檛 forever.

鈥淭his isn鈥檛 a goodbye forever. It鈥檚 a deep breath, a reset,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hank you for all the memories, laughs and love.鈥�

The Brisbane drag scene鈥攁nd indeed, stages across Australia鈥攚ill no doubt be holding a spot open for her triumphant return.