N.L. drag queen Tara Nova exposes low pay at St. John’s nightclub, leading to backlash against venue

Tara Nova, a drag performer from St. John’s representing Newfoundland and Labrador on Canada’s Drag Race, has sparked a debate within the local drag community after revealing that performers at Velvet Club and Lounge are paid only $37.50 per night. This disclosure has led to a conflict between Tara Nova and the nightclub, ultimately resulting in the termination of their contract for a viewing party of the show’s second episode.

Following the backlash on social media, Velvet Club and Lounge attempted to negotiate better pay for performers with Tara Nova. However, the club later posted a statement suggesting that Tara had misrepresented their financial constraints and had demanded unreasonable conditions. The club’s manager, Stephen Dillon, defended their position by stating that there is a budget of $255 per night divided among the performers, with the number of performers decided by the show organizer.

In response to the criticism, the club’s owner, Luc Viau, denied cancelling future events with Tara Nova and announced plans to add a $5 cover charge to increase the show budget. Despite the increase in pay to $60 per performer after the show’s production had wrapped, Tara Nova argues that this is still insufficient compensation for the time and effort put into drag performances.

Tara Nova emphasizes the value that drag performers bring to venues, citing guaranteed business, liquor sales, and entertainment for the public. Comparing drag queens to bands, Tara Nova advocates for fair pay for entertainers, pointing out that performers in other cities, such as Xana from Vancouver, are paid a flat rate of $200 per show.

Despite finding a new venue for their next show, Tara Nova believes it is time for the local drag community to seek out venues that appreciate and properly compensate them. They express excitement at the prospect of bringing drag performances to new spaces that value and support their art.

The controversy surrounding Tara Nova’s comments on Canada’s Drag Race has shed light on the challenges faced by drag performers in Newfoundland and Labrador. As the debate continues, the importance of fair pay and respect for drag artists remains a central issue within the local drag community.