Three Minutes of Glamour with Gingzilla

feature (adelaide) | Read in About 2 minutes
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Published 28 Feb 2018

Glamonster (noun) (f/m) /ɡlæmɒnstə(ɹ)/

1. Simultaneously embodying male and female energy in the same space

2. Combining the stereotypical extremities of macho-bravado and whorish-feminity to play with gender norms

3. Glamorous meets grotesque

One such creature that fits this definition is Gingzilla. She is the epitome of Glamonster. Daily societal norms are placed upon her and she smashes them with outrageous joy and vulnerability. 

Born as a male, and considering himself very much a man, the discovery of the character of Gingzilla unlocked a new world for Ben Hudson.

"'What the fuck?' is the overwhelming general response – from men," says Hudson. "I confuse people, I blur the line. And that is scary for most people. Gingzilla makes them question their own gender and sexuality, and how they are perceived. My embodiment of the extremes of gender – very sensual and feminine while also being macho and grotesque – elicits a visceral reaction."

Gingzilla embodies some of the most masculine-associated physical attributes: a luscious beard, skyscraping height and deep booming voice, all beautifully paired with the classic feminine of high heels, cleavage, glitter and glitz from head to toe.

The dichotomy of the character is an inspiration for Hudson. "There is so much strength and power to be seen in the female form and female sexuality," he explains. "But this is only celebrated when a drag queen does it. Women are torn down if they exude the amount of confidence that I do when I am Gingzilla. But, as I am a man, it is celebrated. The thing that exemplifies this perfectly is when women come up to me and say, 'I wish I could be as pretty and beautiful and sexy as you.' And I tell them, in a hushed whispering voice, '…it’s not real.' I am using the things that women are born with and are forced to suppress."

GINGZILLA: Glamonster VS The World takes on the social norms of the 1950s and mirrors them with today’s genderpolitics. It raises the question – has much changed? If society wants you to fit into a certain mould, Gingzilla is going to tear it apart and celebrate the flaws that many dismiss. She encapsulates the powering up and the evolution of the binary. Charmeleon to Charizard, Gingzilla is a full-throttle fire breather.