The Philosophy of Drag – What’s Behind a Face?

For several seasons, RuPaul’s Drag Race has continued to draw viewers to the dressing rooms of drag queens to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to make it in the business. From mud wraps to mudslinging, it’s a never ending spectacle.

theBuzz caught up with a few of Toronto’s very own slew of queens…and kings, to get a better understanding of who these entertainers are. In this series we ask each of them the same 10 questions to find out what’s behind a name, first forays into the scene, most embarrassing moments, grand aspirations, and tips of the trade. We ask the questions you want to know.

Written by: Bryen Dunn

Continued below is the questions and answers, that was featured in the print version of theBUZZ:

What’s the scoop on your first ever drag performance, where was it, what song did you use, what did you wear, and how did it all go?

Donnarama
“My first performance was a kind of hybrid between little Bo Peep and Courtney Love. I had a wedding dress on with a huge white bow on my head and a shepherd’s staff, and I looked fucking cool. I could see I was really different than everyone else, and I thought I was going to flop big time. I performed ‘Army of Me’ by Bjork and won $50 in the contest. That’s a lot of money when you’re a club kid and shop at Goodwill. I was pleasantly surprised to not embarrass myself like I thought I was going to, and there was room for my creativity. That was empowering and I found confidence because I had nothing to gain or lose by doing it.”

Cassandra Cheapeasy

My first ever performance I did with my friend Zip Z Zipperton at a Corpusse show on December 21st 2012. Our names were Bizz Nizz and Zom Zom and we were inter-dimensional explorers from the planet Nibiru, coming to warn earthlings about the impending apocalypse, but who got too drunk on earth liquor to remember their speeches. My first drag performance as
Cassandra was at the Embassy Nightclub in Hamilton. I did ‘Garbage Man’ by The Cramps and my song was cut off mid-way through because it wasn’t with female vocals.”

Miss Conception

“The first time I ever did drag was at Zippers back in May 2000. I wore a pink skirt with a belly top, and did ‘Declaration of Love’ by Celine Dion. It was a dare from my friend Ben to try drag because I always loved to perform, and now 14 years later here I am.”

Jade Electra

“My first drag performance was in 1985 in Tampa, Florida at a bar called Rene’s. They used to have a Monday night talent show. I had been entering as a guy impersonating Michael
Jackson and Prince, so I was only a few steps away from drag. One night after losing to a drag queen named Donna White, I decided to try drag for the first time. My song choice was Stephanie Mills’ cover of Prince’s ‘How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore’. I just put some lipstick on, rubbed some on my cheeks for blush, and I had a Jheri Curl back then so I didn’t think I needed a wig. Every time the song said “How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore” I would dramatically pick up the receiver of the prop phone. The laughter was at me, not with me, and if it were not the host Tony Rose taking me under her wing the next week, I probably would have never done drag again.”

Maximum Capacity
“I was in a SYTYCD (So You Think You Can Drag) competition that was being held at Zippers, and I did’nt know what to expect. The first song I performed was ‘Sexy Back’ by Justin Timberlake. I wore a black suit, white shirt, black tie. Once the curtains open and I got on to the stage I couldn’t see anything, as I was blinded by the lights. I felt awkward, but then I stepped up so I could see the crowd and I came alive. I realized that every single person there wanted a show and that was exactly what I wanted to give them. For my second number I dressed in a bear suit and mixed ‘Bear Necessities’ with ‘The Bad Touch’ and did the worm I placed second in my first competition, and first in my second competition.”

Flare
“I was in college in Thunder Bay, and had recently come out of the closet. The only gay bar in the town was having a drag contest, and the organizer (a woman) was the only drag king in it so she asked me if I’d be interested. I came on the stage in a leather vest, white t-shirt, blue jeans, and sunglasses, used a broom and strutted to ‘Faith’ by George Michael. I lost the broom and started doing moves where I would ‘fag out’ and then stop myself to ‘hetero up’. By the end of the number I gave into my ‘faith of gayness’, swung some rainbow beads around, and ripped off my vest to reveal the back of my shirt that said “Out”. I got a super great response, and they awarded me the title but the organizer got upset that she lost so they took it away from me and gave it to her. Yes, that happened!”
What’s the wildest performance you’ve ever done since, and why?
Donnarama
“I love sight gags and props and humour, but I really like shock value too. I would personally pick my Frida Kahlo number with the “My Birth” reveal at the end. I have a PG version without it and then the raunchier version I do when I’m on a mission.”

Cassandra Cheapeasy

“I hosted at Nocturne called ‘I Hate Heroin’, where I raped Monty Cantsin onstage to ‘Party In The USA’, and was then, in turn, raped. Good Times!”

Miss Conception

“The wildest time was when I was doing the poolside show at Cedars Campground and the crowd was going wild, so I decided to do a round off cartwheel and land right on the pool. My wig came off and they went nuts.”

Jade Electra

“I used to work at a lesbian redneck bar in Tampa called ‘Paradise’, and one of my most popular numbers was ‘Tales Of Taboo’ by Karen Finley. One night I’m on stage doing vulgar acts with dildos and gyrating about, and looked up and saw my mother in the audience. She
asked why would I do such a number, and I showed her my tips. The lesbians loved that number.”

Maximum Capacity

“The drag troupe I’m a part of, ‘The Yes-Men’, performed at WorldPride. The sheer magnitude of the crowd and the positivity was amazing. I don’t think I have ever performed drag to that many people before. Also, once I was performing at a party called CRUSH TO and had to take off my pants. I was dressed up like a priest and eventually stripped down to my underwear and tank-top. The final touch though, was a glowing crotch piece that was a cross. That blew people away when I lit it up.”

Flare

“I’m a drag king burlesque boi., and was one of the first in the world to tassel twirl. The first time I was at Lee’s Palace performing with The Scandelles, a mixed gender and performance style sex and gender troupe. It was the first time I did my ‘Scotty Boy Number” in which I start off as a schoolboy and end up as a schoolgirl/almost cheerleader (no pom poms). After I took my shirt off I did that, turned around, swung my hips for a couple of beats, and then lifted my arms in the air, I could hear beer bottles crashing to the floor and gasps from the audience.”

What’s one drag tip that anyone looking to do drag should or shouldn’t do?
Donnarama
“I recommend carrying extra music and an extra outfit just in case. Kerfuffles happen quite often and it’s best a girl prepares herself with a purse packed with fishnets and USB keys.”

Cassandra Cheapeasy

“Study your face and do your makeup based on your own unique features. Everyone’s face is different and knowing your subtle facial geography is a must.”

Miss Conception

“The one tip is please, please, please wear eyelashes. It drives me crazy!”

Jade Electra

“Learn your words when lip syncing. Don’t worry about what the others will say about you. Do the material that speaks to you. This will set you apart from everyone else.”

Maximum Capacity

“Have a drag name, know the lyrics, smile, and have a great time. Don’t get too drunk and fall over, then try to wing it”

Flare

Know your lyrics as it’s the best way to keep your audience fully engaged with you in the illusion of your performance. After you know your lyrics do something interesting, because just dancing around for five minutes gets a bit boring unless you are an amazing dancer, which some kings are.”
If you had the opportunity to perform in front of anyone, who would it be?
Donnarama
“I would want to perform for Madonna, both because I think she is a deep thinker and a lover of art and performance, and I would feel my effort would be appreciated, nothing would be lost, all references would be understood and I wouldn’t have to explain anything. Or Sarah Silverman, who I feel would get my humour. I like brave people who stick their neck out, I would want to have an audience with one of those two first and foremost.”

Cassandra Cheapeasy

“Myself, because I’m narcissistic.”

Miss Conception

“I would love to perform in front of Celine Dion, because she’s also crazy and funny on stage and I know she’d laugh her ass off and would love my impersonation of her.”

Jade Electra

“I would have loved to have performed in front of Eartha Kitt. I do a lot of her material when I lip sync. I just loved her voice and persona. I was scheduled to actually do a movie with
her called ‘My Guaranteed Tuition’ starring Richard Pryor Jr., but she died before
it was finished.”

Maximum Capacity

“My Mom, she has never seen me perform, and my Dad, who is no longer with us.”

Flare

“Celebrities don’t excite me, politicians are too stiff, I’ve already performed in front of numerous youth groups, my family and all my friends, so I guess my friend Renee from Australia because she has never seen me and I think it would blow her mind.”

 

What’s one wardrobe (or performance) malfunction that you experienced, and how did you handle it…as you know…the show must go on?
Donnarama
“The wardrobe malfunction I remember most was at Buddies when a corset of mine wasn’t tied properly in the back. I let some random dude in the dressing room do it and half way through the number on stage it unravelled and fell off, which is fine if you shave your stomach, but I didn’t! I looked like I had a Fay Slift T-shirt on. Did I mention I am Italian?”

Cassandra Cheapeasy

“Barbie Joe Bontemps poured a pitcher of water on me during ‘Milkshakes’ and I slipped and fell twice on my ass after that. I just made it look like I meant for it to happen, which I totally did, right?”

Miss Conception

“My zipper broke on my costume and my manager had to run to my house and grab another one of my dresses. The audience was waiting and the show was 20 minutes late. I’m never late and hate drag time, so I bought everyone in the audience a shooter and gave them one hell of a show.”

Jade Electra

“During a performance in Bermuda back in 1994, I was impersonating RuPaul
and my dress was backless so I had to tape my breast on. Halfway through the number, the tape came on done on one breast, and it started traveling south. I tried to balance it on my folded arm, but it wasn’t working. Finally at the end of the live version of ‘Supermodel’ from The Arsenio Hall Show, RuPaul says, ‘You Bettah Work, Bitch’. At that moment I yanked both tits out
and posed.”

Maximum Capacity

“This has not happened to me once but twice now. During the multiple costume changes, dancing, humping, and moving around, the one thing that must stay is your packer! Whatever you choose to pack with, keep it steady. Have a tighter pair of undies underneath or something to keep that shit secure. Luckily for me it hasn’t flown out yet while I’ve been dancing, but it has shifted aggressively to the point of virtually fucking my own ass.”

Flare

When I was in Columbus, Ohio one of my tassels flew off and I didn’t know their shirtless rule, which is a woman can’t be shirtless and can be fined along with the establishment. So when my tassel flew off I kept on going and the host, Tamale, walked on stage while I was still performing and put her hand over my naked nipple. I let her without missing a beat.”

 

What’s the craziest thing someone has ever said to you?
Donnarama
“I was once accused of harbouring the evil secrets of a high society, and unleashing them subliminally during performances as Barbara Streisand. I was also supposed to be a secret member of ‘The House Of Gaga’, but then why would it be a secret?”

Cassandra Cheapeasy

A guy in his 70’s named Myke Hunt asked to take me to a BDSM rally and ‘smell my brown’ in exchange for a Pfeiffer-style Cat Woman mask. I got him to back-up dance for me during “I Think We’re Alone Now’ instead, but I would have liked that mask though.”

Miss Conception

“I was told my show was amazing, BUT I should try and dance a little more and blah, blah, blah. I do my thing and I do it the best I can.”

Jade Electra

“Sarah Palin is the perfect Vice President choice.”

Maximum Capacity

“I was in Ottawa with some friend’s right after the ‘Game of Kings’ show. I was speaking to these men outside the bar and the one older man said that I was ‘alright, and a great guy’. I asked him flat out if he thought I was a man or a woman. He retorted with ‘you’re a man bro’. I looked at him and said ‘that’s awesome dude, but I’m a I’m a drag king and I just finished a show and haven’t had time to take my make up off yet.’ He looked at me really closely and said, ‘You can be anything you want to be man’.”

Flare

“I was doing a radio interview for a right wing radio station on the topic of not revealing a child’s gender. Their take was negative, in that it would damage the child to not have a gender identity. I was talking about how gender isn’t black and white, that it moves on a spectrum like sexuality, and that allowing a child to explore their gender identity is positive. I started describing my experiences and how male I become on stage. The host then said something
about me growing a penis, and I had to inform him that growing a penis still isn’t possible.”

 

What do you feel is your strongest stage characteristic when performing?
Donnarama
“Spontaneity. I get taken by the moment quite often and there’s always a surprise or two, when you connect with an audience or energy of a room. The recipe changes and I suppose spontaneity is a way to accommodate the unforeseen or a change of mind and atmosphere.”

Cassandra Cheapeasy

“I like to use props and be theatrical with my performances. I also never get phased by shitty crowds or bad event turn outs.”

Miss Conception

“Stay focused on your audience. They’re there for you so make them feel welcomed and make eye contact with them when performing.”

Jade Electra

“I never do material that I don’t believe in. I usually pick songs that have personal meaning to me, and I try to authentic them when performing.”

Maximum Capacity

“The ability to engage a crowd, dancing, smiling, and of course my wink.”

Flare

“Knowing when to pause while making a good facial expression. Pausing at the right moment can really grab the crowd, especially if you throw in a little flirty smile.”

 

Guys fighting are called fight club, girls are called a cat fight, and drag is called?
Donnarama
“Lash Lashing”
Cassandra Cheapeasy

“Hoe Down”

Miss Conception

”Drag Brawl”

Jade Electra

“RuPauls’s Drag Race”

Maximum Capacity

“Drag Drama”

Flare

“Drama”

Looking into a crystal ball, what does the future hold for you?
Donnarama
“I know I will always be involved in arts and culture in one way or another, because that’s just my nature. I know I’ve been pushed off my path quite a few times, so the future will remain a curiosity for the most part, but I really was built to endure so I don’t give a shit.”

Cassandra Cheapeasy

“Big Black Dick, and lots of drag!”

Miss Conception

“I hope the future holds a spot on Rupaul’s Drag Race for me, and traveling more of the world doing my live singing shows.”

Jade Electra

“I hope to become more visible in the fight against AIDS. Since I am very outspoken about being HIV positive, I hope that my life and story will help others.”
Maximum Capacity

“The Yes-Men touring would be a dream come true. We already have toured to London, Ottawa, and in August we are headed to Chicago, but to do this full time with other talented people that I am lucky enough to call my friends would be the best! One thing for sure is that I promised myself I would only do drag as long as I was still having fun. I can tell you that I don’t plan on getting out of this anytime soon.”

Flare

“I’ve been asked to be a Headliner for the Queer Burlesque Festival happening in Pittsburgh in 2015. I’ve already mapped out my number for this and will start building my costume this
September. I also see in my future a caravan of other excellent performers touring across Canada. That is my dream.”

 

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist based in Toronto with a focus on tourism, lifestyle, entertainment, and community. He has written several travel articles on destinations around the world, and has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities.

 

 

About the Author

theBUZZ Features is written by theBUZZ editorial staff. Check back often for news on the latest LGBTQ arts, entertainment, and events.