In a poignant account, Brett White, a TV critic and drag queen known as Barb Hardly, reflects on his journey as a drag queen and his connection to the show We’re Here. His television debut as a drag queen alongside Canada’s Drag Race winner Priyanka at The Boro Bar & Grill triggers memories of November 5, 2005, the day he kissed a guy for the first time and came out to himself and his friends. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of his journey towards self-acceptance and self-expression.
Despite only recently embracing the persona of Barb Hardly on June 26, 2022, Brett has already experienced a transformation in his personal and professional life. Working as a Senior Reporter/Producer for Decider, he has written about his struggles with internalized homophobia and the impact of RuPaul’s Drag Race on his self-acceptance journey. Now, covering We’re Here as a journalist turned participant represents a unique and unexpected twist in his path.
Tragic loss strikes when Brett’s close friend and ally, Crisi, unexpectedly passes away on August 21, 2022. Crisi, a beloved math teacher and fierce supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, played a significant role in Brett’s life. Her sudden absence is deeply felt, especially as Brett dons her makeup and a dress from her funeral at The Boro during his performance on We’re Here. Through drag, he finds a way to honor Crisi’s memory and feel her presence once again.
The experience of appearing on We’re Here takes on a new layer of significance as Brett grapples with the recent loss of his father on March 30, 2024. Reflecting on his father’s influence on his drag persona, he finds solace in the realization that he has family capable of unconditional love. Returning to Tennessee with his husband after years away, Brett discovers a newfound appreciation for the power of loving connections in the face of grief and loss.
Amidst the personal and professional milestones, Brett’s appearance on We’re Here Season 4 serves as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of his life’s threads. Through one sentence shared on national television, he touches on pivotal moments in his journey towards self-discovery, acceptance, and love. As he hopes for his story and those of his fellow drag queens to reach individuals in need of connection and understanding, the tapestry of their experiences forms a lifeline of support and visibility for others.
In closing, Brett, also known as Barb Hardly, emphasizes the courage required to participate in We’re Here and the transformative power of self-expression through drag. Through the lens of his own story, he highlights the diverse and intersecting threads of identity, loss, love, and resilience that weave together to form a larger narrative of personal growth and community connection. Ultimately, Brett’s poignant reflection underscores the importance of embracing authenticity, honoring personal connections, and finding strength in shared experiences to overcome obstacles and forge meaningful connections.
