Drag queen Mean, winner of the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, recounts her journey from the sleepy suburbs to a local cabaret stage to the global spotlight. Born Nick Nash in Cockle Bay, Aotearoa New Zealand, Mean was drawn to fashion and performance from a young age and aspired to be a clown. When Mean discovered drag, the focus turned to embracing a persona where she could express her fierce, fabulous self. Her perennial cheer and larger-than-life personality are vivid and charming on the page as well as onscreen. With frankness and humor, the author takes readers through key moments of her drag career and opens up about her relationship with her family, a toxic ex, and her weight and body image. While promoted as a tell-all, this memoir maintains a light and breezy touch with a slick and polished narrative. VERDICT A smooth and energetic read about the making of one of Aotearoa’s most prominent drag queens. Recommended for readers who enjoy getting a peek behind-the-scenes of reality television and entertainment culture.