More than 100 fans of US pop star Lady Gaga took part in a costume competition yesterday in Greater Taichung as part of her visit for a promotional concert.
The 109 contestants, aged from three to 48, appeared in quirky homemade costumes in the hope of being named one of the 10 winners who will get to meet the pop diva in person today.
Strutting on a catwalk in front of a screaming and cheering audience, the contestants showed off costumes that ranged from a meat-themed bikini to a dress made from “ghost money.”
The winners included two brothers aged four and six, and a pair of college students who had recently returned from the US for the summer break.
One of the brothers was dressed entirely in silver clothes, with a lightning-shaped crown on his head.
His mother, who designed and made the costumes, said it was called “Lightning Gaga.” The younger one wore a blond wig, a shiny red dress and a pair of silver boots.
The US-based college students appeared as Adam and Eve from the Bible, dressed in raw meat and vegetables — a creation that was called “Come Eat Us.”
They said their presentation was inspired by Lady Gaga’s famous meat dress.
Another winning pair also went for the meat theme with a bikini decorated with pork, beef and mutton, and a hairband of bacon. Her partner sported a vegetable dress.
Among the other winners were a young man with his head in a birdcage and a competitor depicting a rose.
A contestant wearing a dress made from joss paper, or ghost money as it is called in Taiwan, was also picked as a winner.
One of the more outlandish costumes was presented by a young man who wore a real pig’s head, which he bought from the market, on his head.
After the competition, all the contestants went on a parade around the city hall to welcome Lady Gaga, who received a key to the city from Taichung Mayor Jason Hu (胡志強) later in the day.
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