Arts / Manawatu

Regional Wrap: Balmy in Palmy with Spankie Jackzon

13:25 pm on 15 October 2023

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Spankie Jackzon in her Ru Paul Down Under Season 3 finale gown Photo: TNS Studios

Spankie Jackzon is an award-winning drag queen with a big heart. Her reputation internationally is ripe with 61,000 followers on Instagram alone. That’s an extraordinary feat for an artist who began her career almost 20 years ago in hometown Palmerston North. 

In 2022, Spankie Jackzon won RuPaul's Drag Race: Down Under Season 2, featuring drag queens from around Australasia.

On the hit TV show she quickly became a regional ambassador for Palmerston North -her catchphrase “it's always balmy in Palmy” going viral. 

Her impact as a drag performer has helped put Palmy on the cultural map. Last week the provincial city sold out a 1300 seat venue for NZ's largest drag showcase. 

“It was the gayest thing to happen to Palmerston North by a mile. I’m super proud of everybody for welcoming everyone to the region, as extravagant as we all can be!” 

Spankie Jackzon joined Maggie Tweedie for Culture 101’s regional wrap to spill the tea on what makes Palmy so bloody balmy.

Spankie Jackzon performs at MARY'S Photo: Supplied

Some of the cast from Ru Paul Drag Race Down Under Season 2 Photo: Supplied

Spankie Jackzon Photo: Supplied

Spankie Jackzon performs at Palmy Drag Fest Photo: Supplied