Daniella Demalines “The final Chapter” #pinkinourlives

For many years Daniella Demalines THE Leading Lady from Showqueen Group Les Filles De Malines, triumphed all over Belgium and abroad. Time flies when you’re having fun and times are changing. After 30 year’s Daniella decided to hand over the Royal scepter to a new Queen taking over the part of Leading Lady. Selina Pearl!  But before this moment arrived, on the 28^th of October Hof Ter Beucken was being transformed into THE Palazzo Demalines for a 2 nights goodbye Party in honor of Daniella.

Pink In Our Lives, Mask’ara and Cargo Club went together to be part of this “Goodbye” weekend and enjoyed the evening, but we were sad to see her say goodbye. I asked my ShowQueen reporter Christiaan to write a review for my page PINK IN OUR LIVES, because it was too emotional for me. I worked for two years  with the Les Filles De Malines crew and ladies, so this was getting very personal to see her perform for the last time with LFDM. I always enjoyed working and having fun with Daniella on and backstage when LFDM was performing. An end of an era, but not from our friendship. Always with love. Lesley.

Read our review written by Christiaan like no one else can capture the spirit and feelings of that evening:
“Daniella Demalines. For me Christiaan,  La Malines was or still is the virtue of an Iconic Queen as Zsa Zsa Lamor, Lou Lou Bijou etc. Grand Lady, semi Dynasty Alexis-ish, Bassey, Minnelli etc.;  glamorous, huge wigs, enormous gowns, dramatic looks, loads and loads of diamonds, feathers, and a real-life Diva. A wonderful artist!

The night itself had laughter’s and tears, but above all the high quality where LFDM stands for.
After the Grand opening with Hindi influences where red and golden touches sparkled all around us, the 4 girls from Daniella stood next to her with the based theme “Believe”.
Daniella showed again, why she’s been at the top for so many years. Not dancing around, not huge movements, but just facial expression, a single hand gesture and being the true Artist standing in the spotlight.

The applauding continued going on for every act Daniella performed this evening. Comical acts as crazy Auntie Simon, jumping on every single guys lap, a stand up with Selina Pearl as Marie Jeanne van Achterbroek (the famous Flemish Call girl), although at a certain age, still having her “prune” chilled on lemon sorbet as she recalls, to keep the merchandise fresh and fruity. Still being telephoned by Charles De Gaulle, Berlusconi, Louis De Funes, and many other celebrities. And as when Liza Minnelli’s New York, New York blasted out of the speakers,  again dressed in loads of pink feathers, yes that’s a real Demalines. 

The other LFDM girls showed us their personal favorite acts, naming a few.

Selina Pearl, with her stunning Rio Carnaval “Laritza Bacallao” act. In a lavish blue outfit and tons of feathers piled on top of her head and back.
This Queen knows how to spice up the evening and temperature.
Brooklyn Stone transformed herself as Elza the Ice Queen from Disney Movie Frozen, and again…in a Twirl of wind, thunders and lightning the stunning silk light blue outfit exploded in front of us. La Stone although still very young is a strong Queen at LFDM to watch out for.
Miss Davina, the beautiful voluptuous Queen seems to become the comical sidekick and also artistic right hand from Selina Pearl.
Riding on a chicken, doing aerobics with hunky men from the audience. She spares no one! More to come in the next season. (Nice to mention, Boopsie the Showqueen from Ghent, known for her Adele, Karin Bloemen, etc acts is also joining LFDM from the 1st of October.) Youna Mystica Stratton, who has loads of American influences underneath her wig, could be a Rupaul’s Dragrace competitor for sure.  This evening she performed “Because the Night…”in high pink and a very slim lined fishnet outfit leaving no body part covered up. High Drag Energy and flaming sharp dancing!

The end of this special evening was near.
La Demalines gave a very personal and tearful speech. Thanking her audience and colleagues for the thrust, and warmth they gave her. In a way her drag family.
As I wrote in my intro, times are changing, and although Daniella is ageless into every part from her feather and eyelashes, there is a time, for everything….now will be there spending more personal time with her husband and family. Although she will stop being the leading lady from LFDM, she will stay performing as a free-lance Queen, but no longer on a weekly base.
The reason for choosing Selina Pearl was not the easiest, but one thing stood out in making this decision…La Pearl has the ability keeping on the quality from the group for at least 35 years a head!
Standing ovation and loud cheering. And then came “The final song.”

For this La Malines chose the swan song “Thank you for the years…” by Dame Shirley Bassey. What describes her legacy in every word. Daniella looking into the audience sincerely moved and touched, her facial expression and eyes blessed with love for her fans. And as the song ends, everybody standing up like one! What more can I say…Daniella Demalines, THANK YOU!!!
Enjoy the quality and spare time you’ll have now and I’m sure that when we’ll meet on or off stage, the feeling will be mutual….and good”.

Kisses from Pink In Our Lives Showqueen Reporter,
Christiaan d’Hooghe.

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