My qualitative method-textual analysis in the cultural studies tradition (see Fürsich, 2009)-is used to interpret audience reaction to this debut (both the performance itself and the notion of a ‘star’ being used to promote a bareback launch event), drawing out key themes for discussion. This process reveals a decidedly negative reception of Rapid, the promotion of bareback as event, and the quality of the bareback performance itself, all of which I read in accordance with what these narratives have to tell us about bareback at the time. Yet, I also take the opportunity-writing several years after this critical moment in Rapid’s career (in 2018), and then at the time of revision and publication several years after that again (in 2021)-to reflect on the success of the campaign. Specifically, I read Rapid’s transition to bareback in line with the concept of time, which has particular resonance with bareback.
