Review of Queens of Drama: A Queer Pop Musical That Offers Insightful Depiction of Parasocial Fandom

      The connection between the queer community and the ever-changing lineup of pop divas has endured for decades. While the current manifestation of this bond during the social media era, marked by fierce battles among fervent fan accounts and continuous discussions about stars deemed "flops" and relegated to the “Khia asylum,” may seem like a novel evolution in parasocial fandom, it has deep roots. The long-running pop industry satire *Queens of Drama* might overlook present-day dynamics and focus more on the mid-2000s reign of stars created by the Simon Cowell machine, yet it resonates with current themes by highlighting how cultural backlash has shifted in the digital age. It's simplistic to attribute this solely to the pearl-clutching right, as this toxicity frequently emerges from within the queer community itself—especially for openly queer artists who often face as much harsh criticism from the LGBTQ community as they do from those who wish to erase their existence.

      *Queens of Drama* skillfully explores this reality, unlike other recent music-industry narratives, by chronicling the journey of teen idol Mimi Madamour (Louiza Aura) through the eyes of a former fan-turned-YouTuber (Bilal Hassani), who contributes to her becoming a mere cultural afterthought after she addresses her sexuality publicly. Set in 2055, the film marks the 50th anniversary of her debut single “Pas Touche !,” a track that his narration claims peaked her career; its lyrics portray her as a pure star in the Disney mold, which all but invites backlash from her vocal fanbase when she ventures into more personal music. Before her chart-topping hit, the teenage Mimi is a closeted contestant on a talent show and develops a romantic connection with punk singer Billie Kohler (Gio Ventura) as they await their auditions. Mimi makes it to the finals, while Billie is escorted out by security after facing ridicule for her punk aesthetic. Nonetheless, the aspiring pop star is captivated by her dismissed co-star, particularly drawn to Billie’s unapologetically queer electro-punk music, which stands in stark contrast to a pop culture beginning to emerge from the closet.

      From that point on, *Queens of Drama* takes an unconventional spin on the *A Star Is Born* narrative but adds a comedic twist with songs that explore more risqué themes. As Mimi ascends to stardom, she sacrifices her secret relationship, forcing her to hide songs they created together—including one about being “fisted through the heart”—to preserve her public persona. A decade later, Mimi has become a judge on a talent show and observes a younger generation of artists who cite her as their inspiration. In contrast, Billie’s queer electro-punk brand draws a mainstream audience, jeopardizing Mimi's public image since many of her songs stem from their romance.

      Writer-director Alexis Langlois has indicated that the film was shaped by the breakdown of one of his own relationships. Although he shared an obsession with the pop culture he critiques, the story of a doomed romance marred by class disparities and jealousy served as his foundation. Music acts as a means of masking autobiographical elements rather than being a stylistic cover for avoiding personal issues. By utilizing the pop culture that deeply influenced him to explore the aftermath of a painful relationship, I would argue that *Queens of Drama* does for the manufactured bubblegum pop of the 2000s what *The People’s Joker* did for comic book films.

      The music never becomes the butt of the joke, regardless of how absurd or risqué the lyrics are. While *Queens of Drama* takes aim at the influencers who have made pop fandoms toxic, it tells a narrative rich with perspectives from those within the same groups. It’s well-known that Britney Spears significantly influences the character of Mimi, a fact evident before the media's invasion of her personal life leads her to shave her head and her fans produce emotional YouTube videos pleading for her privacy. For many millennials, this incident stands as one of the earliest and harshest celebrity character assassinations played out in tabloids; dramatizing a similar storyline becomes challenging despite distinguishing elements—like the revelation of Mimi's sexuality—that still suggest a lengthy decline.

      The key difference is that from the very first scene, we realize Mimi’s star will fade entirely due to the backlash from fans upset with her adult musical choices—the moment she is finally allowed to be authentic in the spotlight. An especially tense interview sequence highlights that in the 2010s, celebrity news outlets altered their tactics from attempting to out celebrities with homophobic scandal to accusing them of hypocrisy for concealing significant aspects of their identities—especially when they have vocal queer followings. While we may be another era removed from this, it serves as a crucial reminder of why many stars hesitate to come out: the prevailing fear of facing a similar fate.

      At least *Queens of Drama* deviates from the *A Star Is Born* blueprint by suggesting that a happy ending is achievable