Lina Galore
Lina Galore is one of the best known and most original drag performers on Milan's queer scene. Her head is not only covered in beautiful wigs, but is also full of ideas and thoughts to improve our world and our society. Find out more by reading our exclusive interview conducted during pride month.
Hi Lina, tell us a bit about who you are and how your character came into being?
Whenever I’m asked to describe myself, I always answer "Lina is the pin-up version of a cartoon villain". As sharp and prickly as she is, in theory you should hate her, but you end up falling in love with her vanity, megalomania and clumsiness. This has happened to me personally too! I like to think of myself as a comedian whose too beautiful not to be a model and a model whose too nice not to be a comedian. I like poetry, literature, cinema and revival music, which, by the way, also center's the birth of my character. For my first time in drag, in fact, my drag mother Sissy Galore and I dressed up as Sabrina Salerno and Jo Squillo respectively for a Sanremo-themed party. I was a mess, but the energy and confidence that the experience gave me exploded my passion for this art.
We celebrate pride in the hope that the joy of parading, sharing and performing will one day translate into satisfaction that we’ve finally made some progress, now that our families, our loves and our safety are being stripped away more and more.
Can you explain how the choice of Lina Galore's name came about?
Galore is a drag family name, inherited from my drag mother and former boyfriend Sissy, and means 'plenty’. Lina comes from Lina Sastri, a Neapolitan actress and singer-songwriter, whose face dazzled me the first time I saw her in ‘De Filippo Natale in Casa Cupiello’, a film that has great meaning for me and my family. She played a young woman crushed by the weight of the choices made to please others and their expectations of her, who at a certain point, however, can no longer resist her passions. Super relatable for me, a law doctor who just doesn't want to be a lawyer. The character in the film is called ‘Ninuccia’, but as a name that would’ve been too hardcore, even for me.
Who is your main source of inspiration?
It’s impossible to sum up my inspirations in one single character. I draw from everything that’s sensual but casual, naughty but not obvious, funny but clean. Aesthetically and visually, the universe of divas from bygone eras, that of pin-ups, that of showgirls of yesteryear are definitely a big point of reference for me, as are female cartoon characters. In short, the list of inspirations would be endless, I'll give you an example, but by no means exhaustive: Princess Mombi from 'Return to Oz', Anna Marchesini, the various femme fatales from the Monty Python universe, Goldie Pheasant from 'Eddie and the Bright Sun Gang', Goldie Hawn in practically everything she's done...
We are in pride month, why is it still so crucial to celebrate and mark this moment for the LGBTQ+ community?
It's beautiful that what started out as an authentic act of political demonstration (the first time was a riot) is now conceived as a celebration. There is no better way to demonstrate or protest than by celebrating, as it is precisely the smiles of the jubilant crowd that are at risk in Italy today. Let us celebrate the chance to show ourselves, to be seen, to shout to those in the seats of power that we exist and deserve to smile like everyone else. We celebrate pride in the hope that the joy of parading, sharing and performing will one day translate into satisfaction that we’ve finally made some progress, now that our families, our loves and our safety are being stripped away more and more.
Can you explain how the choice of Lina Galore's name came about?
Galore is a drag family name, inherited from my drag mother and former boyfriend Sissy, and means 'plenty’. Lina comes from Lina Sastri, a Neapolitan actress and singer-songwriter, whose face dazzled me the first time I saw her in ‘De Filippo Natale in Casa Cupiello’, a film that has great meaning for me and my family. She played a young woman crushed by the weight of the choices made to please others and their expectations of her, who at a certain point, however, can no longer resist her passions. Super relatable for me, a law doctor who just doesn't want to be a lawyer. The character in the film is called ‘Ninuccia’, but as a name that would’ve been too hardcore, even for me.
Who is your main source of inspiration?
It’s impossible to sum up my inspirations in one single character. I draw from everything that’s sensual but casual, naughty but not obvious, funny but clean. Aesthetically and visually, the universe of divas from bygone eras, that of pin-ups, that of showgirls of yesteryear are definitely a big point of reference for me, as are female cartoon characters. In short, the list of inspirations would be endless, I'll give you an example, but by no means exhaustive: Princess Mombi from 'Return to Oz', Anna Marchesini, the various femme fatales from the Monty Python universe, Goldie Pheasant from 'Eddie and the Bright Sun Gang', Goldie Hawn in practically everything she's done...
We are in pride month, why is it still so crucial to celebrate and mark this moment for the LGBTQ+ community?
It's beautiful that what started out as an authentic act of political demonstration (the first time was a riot) is now conceived as a celebration. There is no better way to demonstrate or protest than by celebrating, as it is precisely the smiles of the jubilant crowd that are at risk in Italy today. Let us celebrate the chance to show ourselves, to be seen, to shout to those in the seats of power that we exist and deserve to smile like everyone else. We celebrate pride in the hope that the joy of parading, sharing and performing will one day translate into satisfaction that we’ve finally made some progress, now that our families, our loves and our safety are being stripped away more and more.
**Do you remember the first pride you participated in? And which was the most beautiful? **
I think the first pride I took part in was the Milan pride in 2017, in drag. I remember that I was a dripping mess in the sun, despite a pretty good Vivienne Westwood look, and that my feet never forgave me for deciding to participate in the first pride in heels. I was with a lot of other friends in drag, it was really exciting to share that first time with them. The best pride I ever attended, however, was the one in La Spezia in 2022. It was the very first historic pride in the city, a politically difficult city, and the associations that organized it chose me as godmother. It was one of the greatest honours I’ve ever received in my life (and I was appointed doctor of jurisprudence by the rector of Bocconi). The smiles, the laughter, the hugs, the loud music and even the dirty looks from the homophobes on the balcony...I will never forget anything about that wonderful day.
Have you ever been bullied?
I’ve never been bullied, quite frankly. I’ve a huge, let's call it, 'luck': when I'm not wearing Lina's clothes I'm a fairly masculine guy, both in manners and appearance, which in a macho and hetero-normalised society is a natural advantage. Apart from a few jokes from childhood classmates when they found out I loved playing with Barbies, I’ve never been attacked, insulted or taunted for my sexuality nor appearance. I hate to think of this trait of mine as 'lucky', because even those who speak in falsetto and wear crop tops (I love it!) should feel safe and secure.
What advice would you give to a young drag girl to also start this career?
The Greeks used to say ‘gnōthi sautón’, know yourself. Do research, understand what you like but above all what fully represents the message you want to convey, even if only through make-up or a dress. Be yourselfə, don't steal ideas from others, experiment as much as you can but, above all, have fun!
Last question: your motto?
Simple, evocative, surreal. My motto is one word: 'ART'.
Do you remember the first pride you participated in? And which was the most beautiful?
I think the first pride I took part in was the Milan pride in 2017, in drag. I remember that I was a dripping mess in the sun, despite a pretty good Vivienne Westwood look, and that my feet never forgave me for deciding to participate in the first pride in heels. I was with a lot of other friends in drag, it was really exciting to share that first time with them. The best pride I ever attended, however, was the one in La Spezia in 2022. It was the very first historic pride in the city, a politically difficult city, and the associations that organized it chose me as godmother. It was one of the greatest honours I’ve ever received in my life (and I was appointed doctor of jurisprudence by the rector of Bocconi). The smiles, the laughter, the hugs, the loud music and even the dirty looks from the homophobes on the balcony...I will never forget anything about that wonderful day.
Have you ever been bullied?
I’ve never been bullied, quite frankly. I’ve a huge, let's call it, 'luck': when I'm not wearing Lina's clothes I'm a fairly masculine guy, both in manners and appearance, which in a macho and hetero-normalised society is a natural advantage. Apart from a few jokes from childhood classmates when they found out I loved playing with Barbies, I’ve never been attacked, insulted or taunted for my sexuality nor appearance. I hate to think of this trait of mine as 'lucky', because even those who speak in falsetto and wear crop tops (I love it!) should feel safe and secure.
What advice would you give to a young drag girl to also start this career?
The Greeks used to say ‘gnōthi sautón’, know yourself. Do research, understand what you like but above all what fully represents the message you want to convey, even if only through make-up or a dress. Be yourselfə, don't steal ideas from others, experiment as much as you can but, above all, have fun!
Last question: your motto?
Simple, evocative, surreal. My motto is one word: 'ART'.