The Power of Drag | Cheddar Gorgeous | TEDxRoyalTunbridgeWells

Rather than playful attempts to escape who we are, Drag and other forms of dressing up are ways of exploring our identities, connecting with others and embodying our stories. Although fun, these moments of play in the spotlight can be powerful tools of personal transformation, community building and political change. Cheddar Gorgeous is a drag artist, academic and unicorn who doesn't live in London. From founding a Manchester club night, to performing in venues ranging from bars to galleries and museums, cheddar believes that life is too short to only be one person. Before making a spectacle of theirself for a living, Cheddar liked to draw and write about other people, in Anthropology. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@poloespino4121]

Ru: “Why do you deserve to be the next drag superstar?” Cheddar:

[@daniella1848]

Cheddar’s talk is powerful, excellent, and funny! I am so sorry the audience wasn’t warmer (though they got there in the end)! Thank you, Cheddar, for all that you bring to the world! Drag S.O.S.!

[@juliamccoll5732]

I'm late to this party, but after watching just now I was shocked at how few laughs Cheddar got! I was smiling and chuckling the whole time. 🙂

[@andrewbrown6751]

So glad I’m seeing this after her time on drag race. They’re a visionary and genius

[@FeudalismKaufman]

It's a man😂😂😂🤡

[@HalfGodHalfDevil2018]

Cheddar is so intelligent and full of beauty and humanity. An absolute pleasure to watch this TED talk. ❤️

[@ashleighmurray3962]

This is so brilliantly articulated. They are one of the best drag queens in the world. Their wittiness whilst being so experienced and intelligent and almost preaching about the importance of drag. They are a star yet just want to inspire and encourage. They are amazing.

[@mrloverandf9249]

They? I only see one person 🤣

[@badguychun-li8695]

@@mrloverandf9249 they is both a singular and plural pronoun ;)

[@mrloverandf9249]

@@badguychun-li8695 I am teach English and I can assure you that They is for plural/masculine noun.

[@badguychun-li8695]

@@mrloverandf9249 not you saying you're an English teacher and making a major grammatical mistake in the first three words 💀

[@mrloverandf9249]

@@badguychun-li8695 Well, I am not getting paid to reply you in KZbin comment; so no need to type grammarly correct here. THEY is a plural noun whether you accept it or not. Keep enjoying China or whatever you are 😊👍

[@edweirdworld1249]

Cheddar reminding us all that we have the ability to claim our power and turn the interior to the exterior. Seeing the discomfort this has caused some commenters is EXACTLY why everyone needs to hear it.

[@staceytroffer8287]

One of my top 3 drag queens. An intellectual, with heart and creativity. I adore Dr Cheddar Gorgeous.

[@Kaalokalawaia]

Me too!

[@arielitotorres0207]

I could listen to them for hours... love how articulate and calm they are, and that voice... OMG

[@kevmagill5163]

Cheddar teaching the children with points that can't be argued....unless the hate in you is stubborn. Eloquent, creative, gorgeous in and out of drag....some people are light givers, I'm talking to you dear Cheddar. ❤💯💫

[@LovelyRuthie]

Thank you, KZbin algorithm for suggesting this video. Cheddar Gorgeous gets to the heart of drag with intelligent insight & lived experience.

[@julialena3150]

She is so intelligent and thoughtful. She managed to put into words so eloquently why drag matters and summarize what I love about it as a unique artform. Cheddar is a true blessing

[@rickysencion4609]

Cheddar ... WOW! This is one of my top favorite Ted Talks, I've ever heard. You nailed it on so many levels that is relevant and relatable to each and every one of us around our world. Thank ewe a big bunch for this! I have shared this link with so many of my peeps.

[@him4004]

Watching this after Cheddar was announced on the new season of drag race UK 🙌

[@plc9359]

same! She’s doing well, and I think she’s gonna win 😍❤

[@misscalicogirl]

watching this after she lost

[@staceytroffer8287]

@@misscalicogirl same. She should have won!

[@春菅原]

I was rooting so bad for her to win Drag Race UK S4. She was spectacular!

[@amyb0621]

Cheddar is one of the most important drag queens of our time. She’s more than talented. I wish nothing but the best for her ❤

[@tifafenrir09]

I couldn't look away while I was watching this. An absolutely powerful and entertaining talk. Love you, Cheddar!

[@stevemac2009]

Cheddar is teaching. Like really deep down teaching. And I’m learning. And I’m happy. Thanks Cheddar. Lots of love towards you and good luck in all of your future endeavors. I’ll be happily watching and learning.

[@susankeefer5981]

Cheddar Gorgeous should have won season 4 of Drag Race UK. Periodt. She has it all and I could listen to her all day long. I am happy that more people know who this exceptional person is because of her time on Drag Race.

[@zenithian15]

(6:00) Looking at Drag as revealing and purposely highlighting some previously unseen part of oneself is a truly fascinating perspective. I think the people who refuse to understand Drag are scared to acknowledge those hidden parts of themselves for fear of seeming less than "normal" (even though, secretly, they crave the attention and affirmation).

[@twistedfrannie9311]

Cheddar is so eloquent I could listen to them for hours.

[@Justrobschannel]

Chedder is up there with rupaul let's be honest

[@Guevara007]

and yet she couldn’t win Ru’s show 🥲

[@DreadedFangs]

@@Guevara007 this comment is nonsensical

[@AniMeMiNNa]

Cheddar could be like UKs drag race judge. 🙏 Would love that

[@Guevara007]

@@DreadedFangs it’s a fact.

[@sandra-jones]

@Robert Griffiths they are a wonderful artist; however, they have a ways to go to be compared to Rupaul. This in no way takes away from their talents.

[@danielligon4432]

Her intellect and creativity is wonderful. She welcomes everyone and teaches beautifully!

[@audreyrobinson3812]

Informed and insightful. seemed nervous but did a great job I think the looks are amazing and have so much to say about claiming your power and being seen. Really connected with what Cheddar said power of drag to reach our inner selves and transform the world. Made me want to give it a go.

[@ilovepiper666]

Oh please do dear, it will definitely be a one of a kind experience, so much liberating tbh.

[@BriskKing]

This popped up in my suggested videos right after seeing Cheddar Gorgeous place runner up on Drag Race💜I’m so happy that the world finally get to enjoy this person 😊

[@ulysse6825]

Watching this after seeing her shine on her season 💖

[@SMAnthonyW]

Cheddar educating the people as per usual. ❤️

[@themosteliteyoutuberintheu3162]

Finding out about this interview makes me love Cheddar even more, she should have won UK4 imo

[@taccusos]

Dr Cheddar Gorgeous, you are simply amazing!

[@jackiethomas8277]

Cheddar my heart is lighter everytime I see and hear you. Thank you.

[@glitchessence]

I grew up in Southborough which is just above RTW. I remember my Dad taking me to McD's in the precinct (which was next to a Wimpy that closed down). My mum would take me to the cinema across from Lloyds bank, where she worked, and we would have the Butterkist caramel popcorn. We both live in Canada now but have fond memories of our time there.

[@ronimounz]

We need more ted talks from cheddar ❤️

[@lucianaborinato2993]

Fantastic talk from the always wonderful Cheddar Gorgeous, I adore him, and I could listen to him for hours! 💜💜💜

[@noctembra]

I was wondering why this doesn't have more views. 4th! This is a great talk and I'm glad to have more perspective on drag put out there. Drag is an incredible art form and act of self expression!

[@jeanaerowley7150]

Someone PLEASE show this video to Sharon Needles so that she can see what an “intellectual” person actually sounds like. I’m so sick of Sharon wearing swastikas and screaming racial slurs at people for “shock value”. Cheddar is a true intellectual Queen and would NEVER 🫅😍 🙌🏼

[@LadywatchingByrd]

I love this talk with all my heart. So well given and written. 👍👍👏👏

[@kikiwunderlutz]

So wonderfully explained the human and emotional elements of this indeed powerful art and therapy!

[@sieje]

Articulating your craft is what provides the cushion for the fear of others in seeing the new.

[@LiquoriceBlack]

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@codybridges7878]

Werk cheddar. A true British icon.

[@chuckmissildine2894]

Oh my God this is brilliant. I'll never understand that she did not win season 4.

[@mrloverandf9249]

Yeah... she lost.

[@CCSTOM]

She lost because she didn't make Ru laugh, unfortunately.

[@ytscrownjewell]

Look at the cliffhangers and the rectangle shaped body

[@rhovious970]

I think it was because in the last episode in the Tik Tak Talk with Ru & Michelle, Cheddar said it wouldnt make a difference to her if she won or not, she would do the same thing afterward. I think Ru really needs to hear that the participants are hungry for the crown, and Danny just gave more of that Hunger.

[@maryhadid]

this is the art sasha velour was talking about 🧠

[@brycebayer1538]

Watching this after the UK 4 finale and just…wow

[@CruzR1111]

Ooh 2 of my fave things rolled into 1. drag queens and Ted talks. YT algorithm got it right. Cheddar Gorgeous, the thinking persons drag queen. Funny, clever & gorgeous 😉 💃 ❤

[@alexanderponomarev8196]

Cheddar is a great storyteller

[@DahliaBloomsUK]

That was absolutely brilliant 👏👏👏👏👏 I f***kin LOVE Cheddar Gorgeous! She should have won Drag Race but then again YOU ARE ALREADY A WINNER BABY!!!!👑💯💖

[@brookie_cuqui]

My favorite TedTalk to date

[@davidjones6969]

Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Educational and Intellectual.

[@stnortfest822]

Amazing performance! Go Cheddar!

[@MrDavedm521]

I love CG he needs to be on TV more

[@williampurcell4900]

Guess what...

[@amandalangley7224]

Loved this..thank you

[@aughraband3694]

LOVE this. Excellent work Chedds

[@chatterboxreb]

Thank you Cheddar for the work you do educating and empowering others 💜

[@lune78]

From Ted speaker to Drag Race royalty!

[@franciscorodriguez552]

Such a powerful & much needed talk ♥️

[@claremann1797]

Fabulous talk!

[@henrymarcial240]

INCREDIBLE! i loooooved it!

[@philsteynb]

First time I've seen her. Huge fan now.

[@curtwall7089]

Cheddar is clever creative talented hope he wins rpdr uk s4 if he doesn't win I'm gonna sue

[@JoshuaStoneful]

Amazing Cheddar 💖

[@carolbrandimarte3395]

How inspiring !

[@dinahquinn7563]

Love this so much

[@BrittneyStAubin]

Ugh, I love Cheddar. And I don’t even consume dairy!

[@cherylvaughn280]

Well you know what cheddar I never thought of it like that I totally agree with you I think when I put on makeup it is normal

[@JoshuaHubbardmedia]

Werk Chedz!

[@carmen.g440]

Such a ✨specimen✨

[@fionasedgwick7424]

That's some gorgeous cheddar😉

[@iamcornelia]

Wowowow love this queen.

[@MyGreenPets]

Yay Cheddar

[@rebeccastocks5769]

Inspiring!!

[@thanatosonpluto5098]

Oof, those cliffhangers were a distraction.

[@stefanodicarlo3408]

Cheddar I love you, I really do but... THOSE SHOES...!

[@the_pseudo_nim]

❤️💛💚💙💜

[@iandean1112]

She talks about letting go as her toes are tryna jump 😂😂 Edit: Tis just a joke

[@bernadettebohan5822]

YAYYYYYYYYY CHEDDAR!!!!

[@maryhadid]

dem cliffhangers on suicide watch 3:07 and looking like jumpers at 3:39

[@carlycasper7884]

Wtf?

[@maryhadid]

​@@carlycasper7884 🦶👡... 📿🪦????

[@pesto.fresno]

TOOK ME A COUPLE WATCHES BUT LMFAOOO

[@amandathomson5061]

Cheddar for tele!

[@is15land]

what amazing human

[@spiff.y]

FAB CHED! FAB!

[@Movingmts111]

HER POWER….

[@SimplyNikki1982]

💜💜💜

[@glennlaroche1524]

PREACH!!!!!!!

[@lornamiller1991]

Love

[@rayrae204]

Clever Girl.

[@moonchart]

The audience cuts aways be like :|

[@cherylvaughn280]

I think the reason why people are making a big stink about drag and it being a horrible thing is because they don't understand it everybody scared about what they don't understand when you take the time to listen and understand it then it's not that bad

[@bobbidazzler1343]

Take me to your leader, i've got something to say.......

[@StartupFundingEventGlobal]

To each their own!

[@TWINS10984]

💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@stefanmilovic5244]

Icon. Legend. Star.

[@queerulantin6431]

🏳️‍🌈

[@Imfromtheyear3452]

Ted Talks are dead.

[@carlycasper7884]

Why?

[@WynnofThule]

Not tryna diss or anything but Cheddar Gorgeous sounds like a rejected Jaeger name for a cancelled Pacific Rim universe project

[@DistantCousin]

You're clearly not British or you wouldn't make such a silly association. The name is a word play on "Cheddar Gorge" - an iconic English beauty spot

[@WynnofThule]

@@DistantCousin Yeah if a beauty spot wasn't in Forza Horizon 4, I probably don't know about it.

[@pastel5154]

3rd 🙈

[@yusrakazi5035]

2nd🙋

[@Iwantmymtv]

So overrated. She is way too political. Drag is just entertainment.

[@ZeppelinPietrPryor]

No art form is “just entertainment” as a drag performer I can confirm that doing drag has allowed me to find a deeper understanding of myself. I have not met another drag performer who doesn’t also feel this way. It allows us to celebrate the parts of ourselves that we’ve always been told to be ashamed of. And like any other art form, drag can be used to tell a story, it can be used to shed light on an issue, it can be used to provoke thoughts and emotions out of those who view it. I don’t think drag is political, it can be used to make a political statement. But as long as people are actively trying to kill us or make laws against a literal art form, drag will inherently be a form of protest

[@carlycasper7884]

Well when one political party is on the wrong side of every human rights issue. It sort of automatically becomes political.

[@Arek.Arkadiusz]

It's not a good Ted Talk. 1. She's mixing-up the timelines. Judging old definition by the new norm and deciding that it couldn't be real, as today it is incorrect. 2. Using the anecdotal proof through the whole speech. 3. Telling - straight-up misinformation. It could have been a good one woman show. A very bad Ted Talk. EDIT: As the original comment was quite vague, here are specific examples: 1. 03:40 In here she’s arguing that the original definition couldn’t mean men dressing-up as women, because it doesn’t describe what drag is now. The case is - when drag was created and for many years after - it have been just men dressing as women. That was a definition of drag in the past. Now it has changed - it is much broader, but stating that in the past they haven’t been using word drag as men dressing-up as women, because it doesn’t describe what drag is today is completely wrong. 2. 01:35 she’s extrapolating her case on the whole drag community. The case is - for some people drag is creating a persona and hiding their real selves behind that persona. For some people drag is purely an art form, not a piece of their own personality or even a self expression. Saying that drag is never creating a persona is both an anecdotal proof and a misinformation. 3. 03:25 Stating that People didn’t use acronyms back there is a straight up misinformation. People have been using acronyms. They were just not named acronyms yet and they weren’t as common as today. Acronyms have been found even in texts from before Christian era.

[@jesus_t]

Give it up for TED Talk expert, Arek Arkadiusz! You sure give a lot of ted talks!

[@Arek.Arkadiusz]

@@jesus_t You are SO smart! I've used actual arguments (3 to be exact), why it is bad as TED talk. You've just hated on me (because you have no idea what are you talking about). Get a brain, then talk.

[@jesus_t]

@@Arek.Arkadiusz your own opinión isnt a good argument, nor a trustful source, but pop off sis, just dont play smart when youre as intelligent as a rock ❤️

[@Arek.Arkadiusz]

@@jesus_t none of the arguments I've used were my opinions. Unlike you - some of us don't have to play smart.

[@hoanganhtraninh7831]

how can you know it is misinformation when all you say here are just a bunch of ill-founded statements, woman?

[@syd-fp3bv]

It’s sad how this guy trying So hard to make them laugh 😂😂💔

[@JoshuaHubbardmedia]

He's not "trying" to do anything, I know thats the narrative you want judging from your comments here, they were listening and it was a lot of home truths for them, dunno about you, but I don't hear that much of a round of applause for every other ted talk. It wasn't meant to be entertaining, which I image your only concept of what drag is, so I recommend rewatching the video and also researching Cheddar's work because he's been successfully entertaining the masses for years now, and held with high regards in the LGBT+ community you'd be delusional to think we suffer fools easily.

[@arielunbound]

@syd 5566 You sound jealous, mate, totally.

[@ImBigDave79]

@syd 5566 This isn't a stand up comedy routine, it's a Ted Talk. The main point is to show that drag us more than what most people think...not to spout a load of jokes and get laughs.

[@caminokid2656]

This is pathetic

[@carlycasper7884]

I would argue that judging something that doesn’t affect you is the most pathetic thing possible