Popping culture: Gay geek tries harnessing the X Factor

Let me preface this by stating that I really don’t dig amateur singing competitions. All those Idol-esque shows are just primetime karaoke, and I’ve listened to enough bad and mediocre karaoke to last a lifetime. I can’t even stand “good” karaoke. But I do have a soft spot for The X-Factor. There is something delightfully kitschy in it all, no matter what country it is. I mean, it has everything from Filipino drag queens to marms flirting with Simon Cowell. Sure, it’s edited within an inch of its saccharine-laden life, but then again, what isn’t these days.

So with that caveat, let me introduce you to Curtis. Curtis is a bit socially awkward, a self-proclaimed “geek,” and ultimately charming. Christ, he made me enjoy listening to a cover version of Christina Aguilera’s “Candyman.”

Journalist, writer, blogger, producer.

Keep Reading

In ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt,’ Brontez Purnell balances on a knife edge between hilarity and despair

Purnell's new memoir turns heaviness into humour, and exposes the bleakness under what seems silly and light

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 16, Episode 12 power ranking: Designing women

Who among our top five will fall short of the finale?

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Season 16, Episode 12 recap: Bathroom babes

The infamous room design challenge returns, this time with … restrooms?

Bollywood flair quickens the tender heart of ‘The Queen of My Dreams’

Filmmaker Fawzia Mirza discusses her feature debut and how the intergenerational drama echoes much of her own life