Musician Brendan Maclean Recounts Meeting Drag Queen Karen from Finance
A chance encounter at a festival led to an unexpected romance between two artists who had long admired each other's work from afar.
Background
Brendan Maclean, a former pop musician, first connected with Richard Chadwick—better known as drag queen Karen from Finance—online. The spark was ignited by a single fire emoji. Maclean had posted a track by the Dissociatives on social media; Chadwick reacted with the emoji, and conversation began.
Although they were aware of each other's work, the two had never met in person.
Meeting
In 2025, while attending the Melbourne Fringe Festival, Maclean was staying at a friend's apartment. He saw Chadwick on Grindr—and realized he was the flatmate of Maclean's friend. They met face-to-face for the first time.
Relationship Development
That same evening, Maclean performed at a gig with Chadwick in the audience. Chadwick later visited Maclean in Sydney after a show in Adelaide. Maclean notes that Chadwick accepted his messy apartment without judgment—a small but telling sign of compatibility.
Maclean describes himself as cynical. He says Chadwick challenges his negativity without making him feel bad—a balance he finds rare and valuable.
Current Status
Maclean currently performs in the cabaret production "Velvet Inferno" at the Sydney Opera House, running from 24 July to 12 September 2025.
"He challenges my negativity without making me feel bad."