Cirque du Soleil unleashed its “sensual side” a decade ago, when Zumanity debuted at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino.  More risqué cabaret than Cirque’s previous shows, Zumanity was a fabulous departure into the twisty, dark genius that is the mind of Thierry Mugler.   The creator and costume director got very into it; and not since the days of Liberace had Las Vegas been so obsessed with the costumes for a single show*.   And to rule the stage, Mugler created the role of ‘Mistress of Seduction’ for his dear friend, the legendary Joey Arias.

I’ll never forget the opening night.  During the performance, Joey, wearing Day-Glo green eyelashes and contact lenses, and head-to-toe custom Thierry Mugler finery – including six-inch heels (that as time passed, required not one, but two foot surgeries), a shapely skirt of fringe, a gorgeous corseted-bustier (reminiscent of Mr. Pearl), and holding a microphone fashioned into a six-foot bullwhip – sauntered over to where the Hilton sisters were seated, leaned down, and purred “Oh!  I guess this is the Hooker Section!”

Longing for the Great White Way (and the chance to collaborate with master puppeteer Basil Twist, in the award-winning Arias with a Twist), Joey wasn’t long for Las Vegas.  Following a brief tenure by Arias’ fellow Bar d’O all-star, Raven O, we would be introduced to the vivacious Edie; who cast her spell upon the role, making the newly redubbed ‘Mistress of Sensuality’ her own.

Now, nobody, and I mean nobody, knows how to rule a stage or work a prop like a fierce drag-queen.  So, when I heard that, for the first time in its thirty-year history, Cirque du Soleil had recruited a celebrity to appear in a role; and they picked NeNe Leakes – the self-described “Rich bitch of Atlanta, Honey!” – to sashay across the stage, in the legendary heels worn by Joey, Raven, and Edie, in celebration of Zumanity’s tenth anniversary, my first thought was “Well, that’s ballsy!”

This week, after seeing her preview (where she killed it, btw...), I asked Leakes (who was resplendent in Chagoury Couture by the talented and charming Gilbert Chagoury), “It’s been said that inside every gay man is the soul of a sassy, black mama.  Is it fair to say that inside of this foxy, black mama is the soul of a drag-queen?”  Leakes replied with an enthusiastic guffaw, followed by “You know it, Honey!”

Honored beyond belief to be the first celebrity to perform, on the Cirque stage, in the company’s history; and so taken with Chagoury’s designs that she purchased pieces from his collection, while being fitted at his Hollywood atelier; Leakes has tasted the Kool-Aid and has dispatched her waiter to fetch her another round, tout de suite, Honey.  I recommend buying your tickets before she’s done!

ZUMANITY featuring NeNe Leakes as ‘Mistress of Sensuality’
Friday June 27th – Tuesday, July 1st
New York-New York Hotel & Casino
Click HERE for info and tickets

Get into it!

* This was five years before Cher would bring twenty-five costume-changes worth of Bob Mackie finery, to her residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace