Drag performers Ruby Powers and Julia Van Cartier said that specific nicknames used in their act are affectionate and not intended as insults [1], [2].
The clarification comes as the duo promotes their show, DINGBATS, which is slated for the upcoming season at the Pangea cabaret venue [1], [2]. Because drag performance often utilizes irony and exaggerated personas, the performers want to ensure audiences understand the intent behind their on-stage chemistry.
Powers and Van Cartier use the terms “darling” and “piggy” during their routines. They said that these labels serve as playful tools to build their characters and engage with the crowd [1], [2].
“We love calling each other ‘darling’ and ‘piggy’ on stage – it’s all part of the fun and the characters we play,” Powers said [1].
Van Cartier said that the language is a strategic part of the performance's energy. She said the nicknames are a cheeky way to connect with the audience and are not meant to be hurtful [2].
The performers have discussed the nature of their banter in interviews spanning from October 2025 through May 2026 [1], [2]. The production DINGBATS relies on this specific brand of interpersonal dynamic to drive the comedy of the show.
By addressing the terminology, the duo aims to frame the banter as a consensual part of their professional partnership, a common element in the high-energy environment of cabaret and drag theater [1], [2].
““We love calling each other ‘darling’ and ‘piggy’ on stage – it’s all part of the fun and the characters we play.””
This clarification highlights the distinction between staged personas and personal relationships within the drag community. By explicitly defining their 'insults' as affection, Powers and Van Cartier are managing the perception of their professional brand to ensure the comedy of DINGBATS is not misinterpreted as genuine conflict.
