Drag performer Etcetera Etcetera was crowned Entertainer of the Year at Sydney’s 2025 Drag Industry Variety Awards (DIVAs) on Monday night.
The annual awards, which celebrate the local drag industry, were held at the Wintle Theatre inside The Juniors Kingsford leagues club, where staff of queer and queer-friendly venues, DJs, drag artists and others gathered to honour each other’s work.
Etcetera Etcetera, who appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under and identifies as non-binary, thanked their supporters in an acceptance speech.
“I really want this award to go out to the drag community in the inner west that gave me my start,” they said, giving a special mention to parties “that supported kings and trans performers, non-binary performers, First Nations’s talent” like Canned Fruits and Honcho Disco.
“I was lucky enough to be part of that, and my mission in drag … is to support those that don’t get a seat at the table always, and to give them a spotlight.
“So this award goes out to everyone.”
The Universal-owned Imperial Hotel, Etcetera Etcetera’s home venue, was named Sydney’s Favourite Venue. Drag performer Fairah Nuff received the DIVA Rising Star award.
Nuff thanked “every single venue” that gave them a stage to perform on, including their “home” venue Stonewall Hotel.
The Imperial’s show DOGS! – featuring Etcetera Etcetera, Fran Giapanni and Space Horse – won both DIVA Show of the Year and Sydney’s Favourite Drag Show.
Ruby Royale, who hosts a monthly drag competition at the Imperial, was crowned Sydney’s Favourite Drag Artist.
Other winners included dancer Eli Crawford as Sydney’s Favourite Male Performer, and show producer, costume designer and drag performer Ashley Swift, who was inducted into the DIVA Hall of Fame.
Sydney’s Favourite DJ went to Dan Murphy, known for Club Broadway and the popular I Remember House parties.
Industry members decided awards such as Entertainer of the Year, DIVA Rising Star and DIVA Show of the Year. Categories with the word “favourite” were voted on by the public.
You can read the full winners’ list below, courtesy of DIVA media partner Star Observer:
Sydney’s Favourite DJ
Dan Murphy
Outstanding Technical Contribution in Artwork, Choreography, Lighting, or Sound Production
Bettie Blackheart
Sydney’s Favourite Male Performer
Eli Crawford
Sydney’s Favourite Pub Event
Jackie Daniels’ Trivia
Sydney’s Favourite Drag Hostess
Jackie Daniels
Sydney’s Favourite Drag Show
DOGS!
Outstanding Technical Contribution in Costuming or Wigs
London Bridge
DIVA Hall of Fame
Ashley Swift
DIVA Rising Star
Fairah Nuff
Sydney’s Favourite Drag Artist
Ruby Royale
Sydney’s Favourite Venue
Imperial Hotel
DIVA Show of the Year
DOGS!
DIVA Entertainer of the Year
Etcetera Etcetera
DIVA Community Award
Tim Milgate
Ben Grubb is the founder and editor of Gay Sydney News, an independent publication covering LGBTQIA+ news. A journalist with more than 15 years' experience, he has reported and edited for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, ZDNet, TelecomTimes and iTnews, primarily on the topic of technology. He previously hosted The Informer, a queer current affairs program on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9 radio station, and contributes to LGBTQIA+ media including Stun Magazine. Ben has also appeared as a technology commentator on Channel Ten's The Project, ABC RN’s Download This Show and commercial radio stations 2UE, 2GB and 6PR. Contact Ben: ben.grubb@gaysydneynews.com.au
