Glitz, glamour, electric energy. . . Tina Turner is simply the best, and drag performer Fabio Cattafi will channel her talent in 'A Night With TINA' at St Kilda's MEMO Music Hall (Melbourne).
Backed up by six dancers, Fabio Cattafi will perform to Tina's greatest hits including 'Proud Mary', 'Private Dancer', and 'Nutbush City Limits'. It's an event filled with the passion, drive and emotion of Tina and her iconic performance style.
Fabio will transform seamlessly into the music icon, and audiences can expect glitz, glamour, electric energy and everything in between.
Before Fabio takes to the stage to deliver a stunning Tina homage, we sat down to speak to him about all things performance, drag, and Tina's impact on queer culture.
Take us back – what was 14-year-old Fabio with the mop-and-bucket mic channeling when you first performed Proud Mary for your family?
At 14, I was completely swept up in Tina’s boundless energy. Even with just a mop and bucket as my microphone, I felt her fire running through me – that infectious smile, that unstoppable drive, and, of course, her wild and unique dance style. I wasn’t just playing pretend; I was already trying to capture that magic spark she gave the world.
Tina Turner is iconic for both her voice and her movement. As a dancer, how did you approach capturing that electric Tina strut while still making it your own?
I’ve watched Tina for over 40 years – honestly, I’ve been obsessed. From a young age, I would spend hours and hours glued to her performances, imitating her every move until her famous strut was etched into my body. Over time, it became a part of me. It’s not just copying – it’s absorbing her energy and then letting my own spirit shine through it.
Drag and cabaret are spaces where exaggeration meets authenticity. Where does 'Fabio as Tina' sit on that spectrum?
For me, it feels incredibly authentic. I’ve always performed with a lot of raw energy, emotion, and heart – and that’s exactly what Tina gave. My natural traits as a performer align with hers, and I think that’s why I’ve always resonated so deeply with her. I don’t just put on a costume; I pour myself into her essence, and that connection makes it real.
What’s the wildest or most fabulous reaction you’ve had from an audience member who swore Tina Turner was in the room?
The moment I step on stage and the lights hit – that roar from the audience, the clapping, the screaming – it often feels like people believe Tina herself has arrived. That reaction gives me goosebumps every time. After the show, when people line up for photos and tell me how much they felt her presence, it means the world. Before I go on stage, I always take a quiet spiritual moment to 'call on' Tina – to ask her to step on stage with me. Without her, I wouldn’t be doing this. Her presence is everything.
Costumes are a religion in drag – and you’ve got handmade replicas of Tina’s original looks. Which outfit makes you feel the most unstoppable the second you put it on?
Without question, the red leather dress and those red stilettos. The second I slip into that look, I feel all Tina – powerful, fiery, and completely unstoppable.
Queer audiences have always embraced divas like Tina. What do you think makes her such a queer icon?
I think queer audiences connect so strongly with divas because they’re dramatic, larger than life, and unapologetically themselves. Tina embodied all of that – the sparkle, the power, the glamour. But also, I think the queer community relates deeply to her resilience. She fought through so much adversity, and as a community, we understand that struggle. She turned pain into power, and that makes her one of us.
If you could duet with Tina herself (no limits, dreamland rules), which song are you belting with her and why?
'Private Dancer' – without a doubt. It’s my absolute favourite, and it’s so full of raw emotion. It’s a song where you can pour out every ounce of yourself physically and emotionally. To sing that with Tina would be a dream beyond words. I have close friends who worked with her, and whenever they share stories, I hang on every detail – imagining what it would be like to be right there beside her.
'A Night With TINA' promises glitz, glamour, and electricity – but what’s the secret ingredient audiences don’t expect until they’re in the room?
Theatre. Pure theatre. Yes, there’s glitter, lights, and music – but it’s also a journey. Props, costume changes, comedy, drama – a mix of modern energy and old-school Tina. It’s not just a concert; it’s a story of Tina’s career, filtered through my own personal connection with her. Audiences don’t just get to watch – they feel like they’re in it.
You’ve worked with some of Australia’s biggest names across TV and theatre. How does stepping into Tina’s heels compare to all of that?
Nothing compares. For me, Tina isn’t just a role – she’s been my lifelong idol and obsession. Stepping into her heels for those two hours on stage is the closest I’ll ever get to being with her. I never had the chance to meet her, but this is my way of honouring her. Every song I perform is from the bottom of my heart, with love, respect, and gratitude. Tina has inspired me to dance, to meditate, to believe in myself, to stay strong and determined. She’s not just a role model in performing, but in life. My love for her runs so deep, and every performance is my way of saying thank you to the woman who has given me so much.
'A Night With TINA' plays MEMO Music Hall (St Kilda) 5 September.
This story originally appeared on our queer sister site, FROOTY.
