As our series on the stars of Drag ON! continues, I shot a few questions at local starlet Sapphire Tithi-Reign to get a little clarity on the calculations it takes to be a queen!

What does Pride mean to you?
To me, Pride means celebrating my freedom as a member of the LGBTQ community!
I feel so fortunate to live in such an accepting city/country! It also means shaving my face 6+ days in a row, contemplating shaving off my eyebrows, and A LOT of perfume because ‘aint nobody got time to wash tights and tucking belts six days in a row.

What are you most looking forward to this Pride?
Performing for the community! I complain about shaving my face for drag, but I’m so grateful for all the opportunities I have to do what I love to do! Add me on Facebook to see what I’m up to! (shameless plug)

What have been your highlights as a performer so far?
Most recently, my Miss Crews & Tangos 2015 talent number. It’s my proudest performance, and one that I conceptualized and mixed myself. I showcased my live singing, tap-dancing, lip-syncing, and set/prop making, and I got to work with some incredible people who helped make it come to life. Also, my starring role in Yukon Blonde’s music video for “Saturday Night”!

What’s your favorite song to perform?
Oh gosh, I’m giving you three:
Anything Goes – Anything Goes
Break Free – Ariana Grande
Son Of A preacher Man – Sung by Joss Stone

Who’s your drag idol?
I have trouble choosing one favorite, perhaps this is a deeper routed problem from childhood. I’ll say that Manila Luzon from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 3 really inspired me to do drag. I love her aesthetic, and I’m constantly inspired by Drag Queens around the world! Gotta love Instagram! …perhaps I have commitment issues…

What year and song are you representing on stage at Yonge-Dundas Square for the Drag On event?
I’m representing the year 1994, performing “All I Wanna Do” by Sheryl Crow. A song that’s outside my repertoire, but during Pride all I wanna do IS have some fun… I gotta feelin’ I’m not the only one…

Sapphire Titha-Reign will be performing on Saturday, June 27 from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at Yonge-Dundas Square as part of the Pride Toronto festival

About the Author

Judy Virago is a transgender writer and performer living in Toronto. A background in theatre, activism and government social policy has informed her interest in transgender rights and visibility. She is the co-founder of the queer art collective The House of Filth and was voted "Runner Up" for Now Magazine's Best Toronto Drag Queen 2015. She takes her inspiration from fierce, fabulous creatures who have soared to stardom, fallen from grace, and clawed their way back to the top.