Over my lifetime, I’ve had the privilege of meeting a lot of very interesting people, from celebrities to political leaders and unique individuals with a great story. One of the most interesting people I’ve met, who has become a great friend as well is Russell Alldread, also known as drag queen Michelle DuBarry. At 89 years of age, Russell has had quite the life, but I’ll leave him to share his amazing stories. This is my story which begins with a lunch meeting that eventually turned into a great friendship.

This story begins in 2011. Michelle DuBarry (AKA Russell Alldread) was turning 80 and Church and Wellesley Village entrepreneur George Pratt wanted to host a birthday party for her at The519. I was between projects at the time and was asked by my friend, Mychol Scully, if I might garner some media attention for her, considering she was, at the time, Ontario’s oldest drag queen. I had seen Michelle and Russell around the community and knew of their reputation as a community leader with a big personality. I scheduled lunch at Hair of the Dog with Mychol and Russell to learn some behind-the-scenes stories of how this person became the community icon they are. Following our lunch meeting, I put the word out to a few journalists to gauge some interest and The Toronto Star columnist Joe Fiorito and The National Post’s Kara Dillon both responded with feature stories to commemorate this historic occasion. Joe Fiorito insisted on interviewing Russell in his apartment which in itself should be a museum. It is filled with years of history in the costumes, accessories, gowns, make-up, photos that are housed there. Kara Dillon met Michelle at what was once George’s Play so that she could photograph Michelle in all her drag glory. This small amount of media coverage did get the attention of other media outlets, as Michelle continued to become a community spokesperson, after living through the tumultuous decades and events that Toronto’s LGBTQ+ community has lived through.

In 2012, I received a call from a client of mine who was involved in organizing a dinner for Luba Goya, from the Royal Canadian Air Farce. She was launching her one-woman show, Luba, Simply Luba. I was asked to locate a local drag queen who could portray Queen Elizabeth II, as she was one of the celebrities that Luba was known to portray. I immediately contacted Michelle and asked if this is a celebrity she’s ever portrayed and would she care to reprise the role for Luba’s event. I arranged a car service and escorted our illustrious drag queen to the top of the Toronto Dominion Building on King Street. The driver was gob-smacked that he was escorting our local celebrity to this event. Michelle’s cameo appearance as The Queen was a surprise for Luba, who was absolutely floored we pulled this off for her. After Michelle gave her short keynote, in honour of Luba, she insisted on having a photo taken with The Queen.

The Queen meets Luba Goy

Fast forward to 2015. My friend Max MacDonald had a revolutionary idea and wanted to involve me. He suggested nominating Michelle for a Guinness World Record, in the category of World’s Oldest Performing Drag Queen. He told me I would be Head of PR for the entire project. This project had never been undertaken before in Ontario, let alone, Canada. I accepted not knowing what I was getting myself into. He rounded up Carolyn Kelly for film, Statler’s as Michelle’s hosting bar, Donnarama as the authenticating drag queen (Michelle performed during her show), and away we went.

After completing the 24-page application (in triplicate), samples, videos, and photos were sent to the UK, Max received an email in November that Michelle met all of the criteria and would hold the title for one year. Little did I know how this would change not only Toronto but the world. On her birthday the project team surprised Michelle with the news at Donnarama’s drag show at what was Statler’s. Donnarama’s mother sent a video of the Guinness announcement to CityTV. This one act by a caring fan would unleash the world! It started with the clip running the next morning on Breakfast Television and the media buzz began.

Michelle’s official Guinness World Record certificate arrived in Max’s mailbox in January 2016. Max and I discussed hosting a little gathering at Statler’s, on January 27 at 2:00 p.m., to present Michelle with her certificate. I sent out the following email to a broad Toronto local media list:

Dear Member of the Media,

On Wednesday, January 27, 2016, at 2:00 p.m., Michelle DuBarry, AKA Russell Alldread, will officially receive and open the sealed official certificate from Guinness Book of World Records, officially recognizing her as The World’s Oldest Drag Queen. The event will be held at Statler’s, 471 Church Street.

This is an informal event attended by those who oversaw her application for this World Record.

The event is being held to officially document it for a documentary on Michelle’s life that has been filmed by Toronto award-winning filmmaker Carolyn Kelly.

You are welcome to join us at Statler’s to cover the event.

An official community event to honour Michelle will be held at a later date and an official press release will be distributed with those details.

Max MacDonald presents Guinness certificate to Michelle DuBarry

The official certificate from Guinness Book of World Records

I don’t know if you can call it a slow news day, but the media turnout was more than we expected, to the surprise of Statler’s patrons, who had no idea what was going on. The media coverage was phenomenal and additional media opportunities followed that, putting Toronto’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community on the global map and giving Michelle the attention, she deserved. Overnight Michelle was being stopped on the street by screaming fans, well-wishers, curious people, and, of course, the media. Imagine an 87-year drag queen almost being chased by news crews as though she was royalty. With me chasing after the CBC and Michelle, with a clipboard in hand, and Max’s jaw on the floor

Not only was Michelle receiving media attention in Canada and the U.S., but she was also receiving invitations by community leaders to make personal appearances at special events, including an invitation by Toronto City Councillor Josh Matlow. He invited Michelle to perform at the inaugural Toronto Seniors Summit.

What was completely shocking was the media attention was relentless, for almost a year there were constant requests for interviews from CTV, Global, CityNews, CBC-TV, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, CBC Radio to ZOOMER Magazine. To an 87-year-old drag queen, the world knocking at her door was a shock to Michelle who was getting interview requests to be in full drag in the morning. This was not a proper protocol in drag culture, but Michelle was a trooper and met every media request.

Max figured that we should continue to strike while the iron was hot, getting Michelle the accolades she deserved. He submitted an application for Michelle to be considered for the Ontario Seniors Award, using all of the media coverage garnered as collateral for the application. In November 2017, the honour of receiving an Ontario Seniors Achievement Award was given to Michelle who is the first-ever drag queen, in the award’s history to receive the award and be presented to a sitting Ontario Lieutenant Governor.

In addition to working closely with Michelle over the years, I’ve also had the pleasure of interviewing her twice for Buzz Magazine and spending much time together socially. In two personas are a person with a huge heart, a great sense of humour, and an amazing legacy-filled lifetime as a community icon and leader whom I’m thrilled to call my friend.

Russell in the Village