Artists are constantly coming up with creative ideas, and many use their art to comment on or reinterpret popular figures. That’s exactly what a drag queen in California has done. The drag queen, Lauren Banall, recently went viral after posting videos of herself cosplaying as Erika Kirk, mimicking her mannerisms and gestures. According to PinkNews, Banall chose to use her newfound viral attention for a cause, raising funds for the US civil rights organization American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). As reported by the outlet, the charity “campaigns for the rights of marginalised and persecuted minorities, including the transgender and wider LGBTQ+ community and immigrants.”
The California drag queen’s first viral video, in which she began mocking Erika Kirk, showed her wearing a similar outfit and blue contact lenses while recreating Erika’s now-recognizable glare. Lauren Banall exaggerated the expression, cycling through different facial reactions before breaking into a dance. The crowd appeared to love the performance. Banall was even seen holding cash, suggesting she received tips during the act. Another video later showed her repeating Erika’s signature glare once again, and she continued to receive a positive response from the audience. In her most recent video portraying Erika Kirk, Banall revealed that the drag persona is called “Erika Qwerk.” She explained that her GoFundMe fundraiser for charity follows the same strategy she claims Turning Point USA would use: monetization. The difference, however, is that Banall is using the attention to raise money for a good cause.
People Reacting to the California Drag Queen Mocking Erika Kirk
Many people absolutely loved what the California drag queen was doing, especially after seeing how accurately she embodied the role. Because Erika Kirk would likely despise the impersonation, that reaction only made it more entertaining for some viewers. One person wrote, “I was just thinking the fact that she would hate this so much… Makes me love it even more lol.” Others quickly agreed. “oh, she would hateeeeee this,” another commenter said, while someone else described the performance as “Terrifyingly accurate.” One TikTok user even framed the impersonation as political commentary, writing, “this is my favorite piece of political art i’ve ever seen.” Several others echoed that sentiment, simply calling it “Queer art.”
More people continued to share their thoughts on the California drag queen’s performance. While a few felt it crossed into disrespect, the overwhelming response leaned toward finding it humorous. One viewer admitted, “I don’t have anyone to share this humor with, my bf don’t understand why I’m laughing so hard.” Others were openly supportive. One person told Lauren Banall, “You are my new favorite person on the internet.” Another commenter even suggested the impersonation outshone its inspiration, writing, “When you are prettier than the original.” With the performance continuing to gain attention, many are now waiting to see whether Erika Kirk will respond to the viral impersonation at all.
