Courtney Act: my sadness over Dancing With The Stars snub

There’s very little that can upset Australia’s favourite drag queen Courtney Act but a TV brush off has left her furious.

There’s very little that can upset Australia’s favourite drag queen, Courtney Act, but asking her to wear a “sensible wedge” heel to host this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras left the talented TV presenter clutching her pearls.

With the LGBTQI community’s annual street parade detoured to the nearby Sydney Cricket Ground because of COVID restrictions, finding pitch perfect footwear has proved the first hurdle for the 39-year-old performer and actor, Shane Jenek.

“No one has spoken about masks yet but someone said ‘Courtney, how are you going to walk on the cricket pitch? and suggested I wear a sensible wedge,” Jenek tells The BINGE Guide, with a gasp.

Dazzling … Courtney Act will co-host the 2021 Sydney Mardi Gras for SBS. Picture: Supplied/SBS

“And I was like, ‘I expect that kind of homophobia in the burbs, but not here in my own home [in Sydney’s east], thank you very much,” recalling her mock horror.

Instead, the creative force shares a trick of the trade – taking to Amazon to buy a supply of a novel shoe accessory that can be clicked on to stilettoes and makes them more stable.

Jenek discovered the stage secret when appearing on London’s West End last year, before COVID took a greater stranglehold on the city and shut down the theatre scene and most of the country’s entertainment industry.

Having based himself in the UK capital since starring in and winning the 2018 season of Big Brother, Jenek is grateful to have been embraced over there but was ready to leave bleak ol’ Blighty and sign up to co-host the Mardi Gras gala (to air on SBS).

“I just think the Brits get camp and the fun even more so than Australia. In the UK, they grow up where the pantomime dame is always a man in drag … it’s such a part of the UK pop culture,” he explains, adding “and I think they just appreciate it over there and I appreciate them appreciating me,” he laughs.

Back to Act’s style dilemma, her dazzling couture dress for the occasion was due to be flown from the Los Angeles studio of designer, Marco Marco, on the day we speak – “and it just won’t work with wedges, it just won’t,” Jenek insists.

“It’s a stunning, Swarovski-encrusted gown, with bellowing fabric. And I’m like, ‘you can’t wear wedges, I’m sorry.’”

Dancing queen … Courtney Act, aka Shane Jenek, withDancing With The Stars professional dance partner Joshua O'Keefe. Picture: Supplied/10

Always one to compromise, he suggests “I could get carried in on one of those chairs like Cleopatra or Lady Gaga … it’s all about adapting at this year’s Mardi Gras, after all.”

It’s not Act’s only gig right now, with the diva pairing up with long-time drag icon, Vanity Fair for the top-streaming podcast, Brenda, Call Me.

Their friendship began 20 years ago, with Vanity encouraging a young Jenek to brave the drag circuit and step out for the first time as her alter ego, Courtney Act (named as a play on ‘caught in the act’).

“I remember going to The Albury hotel [now closed on Oxford Street, Darlinghurst] and watching all of the girls do their shows and it was just this colourful, wonderful thing,” he says.

“And then I met Vanity. We didn’t become instant friends … I think she was like who is this special lesbian tugging on her outfit. And then she was like, ‘Oh, you’re a little boy. Hello, how are you, small boy?’”

Over the two decades, their friendship has been one of long-distance, with Jenek living in Los Angeles and Vanity living in London for a few years.

“Whenever we needed to talk we’d leave the message, ‘Brenda, call me.’

One TV opportunity Jenek is devastated to have missed is Seven’s All Stars reboot of Dancing With The Stars.

His partnership with pro dancer Josh O’Keefe mesmerised viewers and broke important ground for diversity.

Asked if there was a chance he’d appear at all, he exclaims: “no, there’s not and I’m upset. It was so much fun being on Dancing with the Stars. I kept waiting for their call and it never came.”

Instead, he’ll throw himself into Mardi Gras, which will celebrate with the post-pandemic theme of Rise.

Pitch perfect … this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras parade will relocate to the Sydney Cricket Ground because of COVID restrictions. Picture: Supplied/SBS

Organisers were inspired by the community spirit of 2020, which included surviving the lockdown together, as well as the social justice issues including Black Lives Matter which saw protests worldwide.

Jenek says: “we also need to rise to add our voices to the conversation and amplify the voices of queer people of colour and look at what their needs are during these times and how we can be of service to other people in our community.”

LGBTQI people have been hit hard by the social restrictions of COVID, featuring heavily in dark statistics about domestic violence and the mental health impact of the crisis.

While social distancing rules will still apply, Jenek adds the gala night is a positive part of community connection.

“That connection with other people is so important and similarly, I think that lack of ability to physically connect and socially connect has really been a bit of a challenge.”

* The 2021 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras live Saturday 6 March 6pm AEDT on SBS On Demand, or catch the full parade at 7:30pm on SBS and NITV.