Drag artists speak out on Vida music video, portrayal in media

INTERVIEW | Drag queens Carmen Rose and Just Acne were among eight others featured in a recent music video alongside cosmetics entrepreneur Datuk Seri Vida.

The music video, which showcased a Hari Raya-themed track by the cosmetics entrepreneur entitled “Muah Muah Raya”, elicited the concern of some netizens as it was perceived to be “promoting” the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transexual plus (LGBT+) culture.

The “plus” is an inclusive term for people who don’t fit into traditional categories of gender or sexuality, including queer, questioning, intersex, asexual people, and others who are not specifically identified.

Since it was uploaded onto YouTube last month, Vida, whose real name is Hasmiza Othman, and music video director Kel Wen have confirmed that MCMC had called them up for questioning on their social media accounts. 

In an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini, Carmen Rose and Just Acne said that they both knew what they were getting themselves into when taking part in the video