Yarra resident for more than 10 years, Richard Chadwick steals the show every weekend on Smith Street, Collingwood performing as office-worker-come-drag-queen extraordinaire Karen from Finance.

 For the past several years, Richard has been honing his skills of makeup artistry, costume creation, wig styling and of course lip synching to become one of the most well-known faces in the Melbourne drag scene.

Richard grew up in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs and recalls when he was younger “taking weekend trips into the city with the family. We would often drive home via Fitzroy and I remember seeing the most amazing characters in crazy hair and clothes. Years later I've become one of them and I couldn't be more proud!”

“Karen from Finance started as a joke at a house party in Fitzroy North. I went to a costume themed birthday party which was 'Dolly, Denim & Diamontes' and I created Karen for that. The rest is history!”

You’re likely to catch Richard/Karen as MC at live drag shows across Melbourne, starring contestants from renowned television show Ru Paul’s Drag Race. When these ‘queens’ perform their headline shows in Melbourne, Richard is at the helm hosting, interviewing and warming up the crowd with original performances of his own.

“As much as I feel fabulous and special when I am performing, my favourite thing is to share that experience with others and make them feel fabulous and special too. When I can see that has crossed over, that's what makes me happiest.”

Richard at home with poodles Susan and Peter

In 2017, Richard took Karen from Finance to the United States of America to participate in Ru Paul’s Drag Con and headline shows in Minneapolis, New York City, Los Angeles and the Austin International Drag Festival.

 As well as overseas, Richard is a regular on the Australian fringe circuit, performing at festivals in Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide.

“My favourite thing about performing in Yarra is the venues and the hubs and homes that they create. I have always been able to walk alone into my favourite bars, clubs and cafes knowing that they will be full of fabulous, loving friends and people.”

“Yarra is home. It's where I work, it's where I party, it's where I live. Yarra is full of the most incredible, unique and interesting people, and they have strengthened me to become who I am today.”

This year, you can catch Richard perform across the country with Melbourne-based cult queer cabaret YUMMY.

Follow Karen from Finance on Facebook and Instagram to find out where in Yarra she is performing next.

If you or someone you know would be perfect for our next Faces of Yarra, contact us on 9205 5555 or email.