Destiny takes over during St Kilda Pride March

And for one of the area’s most well-known faces, Destiny Forbidden, this year’s Midsumma Festival will hold a special significance when she takes to St Kilda’s Fitzroy St as Queen of Pride on February 5.

For Destiny, performing at Melbourne’s famed gay venues has become a way of life.

“I just love to perform and when you’re in front of more than 500 people, you wouldn’t want to do anything else,” she said.

“Once I started performing, I really made an effort to get out there in the community.

“At one stage there, I was dressing up five nights a week.

“There are plenty of people that will tell you that you can’t make it, but if you commit to it, work hard on what you want to achieve, really give it your all, anything is possible.”

Destiny Forbidden admits to having a growing collection of 360 outfits for all occasions, countless wigs and shoes, and “just last week spent $400 on make-up”.

“It’s a lot of hard work,” she said.

“I work full-time and we probably (with her troupe of dancers) put in about 10-15 hours a week rehearsing our shows, plus all the nights as well.”

Her name is borrowed straight from Beyonce.

“I was going through a period a while back where I just adored Destiny’s Child and Beyonce, how could you not love her?” she said.

“So that’s where the Destiny came from and the rest just came naturally.”

For Destiny, Midsumma is a chance for the whole community to come together.

While she admitted to being surprised at being named Queen of Pride, it was not going to take away from her act.

“I’ve just been told that I’m going to be carried down Fitzroy St on a float by gorgeous boys, so that’s something to look forward to” she laughed.

“We’re working on a new Lady Gaga medley which we’re going to perform on the day.

“There’s also a few other events I’m going to be involved in as well. It’s a great time of year.”

And for life away from the spotlight?

“Life where I want to be,” she said.