Naysha Lopez
First a little introduction: The who, what and where of it all. Paint us a pre-drag portrait of yourself. I’m originally from Puerto Rico, but I now reside in the Windy City. I’m really close to my family and they’re a great support system. My younger sister is one of my closest friends. What was your first drag moment, adult and/or child? Tell us true now! Getting into my cousin’s purple bridesmaid’s dress, as a kid. I snuck into her room and put it on along with the purple shoes. I fell in love with it. Who was your drag mother? I’m self-taught- Taj Mahal would often give me advice, before she passed away. Are you an off-the-rack girl or a handmade maven? I’m not a pedestrian looking drag queen and I worried about being
off-the-rack...Someone in the audience could be wearing the same thing! To what do you attribute the success of RuPaul’s Drag Race and why do you think drag has reached such a zenith in 2016? I’ve always thought it’s something people really, really enjoyed and it’s always been hot and fun. But now is just the time and the TV exposure reaches people who can’t go out to clubs. Favorite RuPaul quote or advice heard given? “You can surprise yourself.” So, I try to put my best foot forward and do anything and everything I can. What do you consider your personal “best moments,” either in drag or out? When I won Miss Continental in 2013. I competed a few times and won against all of these beautiful transgender entertainers. A boy had not won in a long time. Your most hilarious drag moment? I was in a drag competition and a dancer tugged on my straps of my dress and the dress accidentally came off. My boobs were fastened to the dress and they were flopping with it. I took the dancer’s cowboy hat and covered my chest! What’s your secret weapon for RPDR? My body-ody-ody... And beauty. What are your plans if you win RPDR? Keep going forward and keep working. I always want to do
more...Bigger and better. After I win, I’ll figure out what that means exactly!
QUEENS BARE ALL Laila McQueen
First a little introduction: The who, what and where of it all. Paint us a pre-drag portrait of yourself. I’m an only child and was born and raised in Gloucester, MA, a little island at the end of Mas- sachusetts. I didn’t like school too much and was bullied, so I wanted to do better things. I’ve always been an artist, so I thought, “Why not drag?” What was your first drag moment, adult and/or child? Tell us true now! For high school graduation, my mom put together a collage of me as a kid. All the photos were of me in feather boas and from Halloween events, when my grandma made me witch
costumes...Not wizard costumes. So, it’s always been a part of who I am. Who was your drag mother? I’m pretty much self-taught. I taught myself to do makeup and sew. Are you an off-the-rack girl or a handmade maven? A little bit of both; I’ve been sewing most of my stuff lately. But, I am by no means a seamstress. To what do you attribute the success of RuPaul’s Drag Race and why do you think drag has reached such a zenith? With every year Drag Race happens, the stakes get higher and we get so much more of a following. There are more and more people who like the show. It has such an eclectic group of viewers— kids, adults, trans, queer youth—no surprise it’s so successful because of that. Favorite RuPaul quote or advice heard given? “Don’t f*ck it up.” What do you consider your personal “best moments,” either in drag or out? I got banned from a university in the northeast, because they didn’t like my drag. Your most hilarious drag moment? I do drag in New Hampshire, where the jokes are dumb and not too hilarious. What’s your secret weapon for RPDR? My youthful, poreless skin. What are your plans if you win RPDR? Have fun and keep doing what I’m doing. Move out of my parent’s house and keep inspiring people and working.
Acid Betty
First a little introduction: The who, what and where of it all. Paint us a pre-drag portrait of yourself. Currently and previous to Acid Betty, I was a professional interactive designer. Creating videos and websites for fashion, nightlife and entertain- ment. What was your first drag moment, adult and/or child? Tell us true now! Being very young and passed around as my sister’s cousin from out of town...With cheerleader pom poms, boobs and hair. That’s when I knew I was going to be a very passable looking girl when I got older. Who was your drag mother? I don’t have a drag mother. But, I have always wanted to be a special effects makeup artist, since I can remember. I did start dressing up in the shadows of Sherry Vine’s guest list. So, if I had to attribute it to anyone, it would have to be her then. Are you an off-the-rack girl or a handmade maven? I try to use off-the-rack pieces but end up hand making everything from jewelry, purses to gowns. To what do you attribute the success of RuPaul’s Drag Race and why do you think drag has reached such a zenith in 2016? Obviously RuPaul’s Drag Race is a success because the show’s first name, RuPaul. Favorite RuPaul quote or advice heard given? “Be true to yourself.” What do you consider your personal “best moments,” either in drag or out? Scaring the world as Acid on Project Runway was a huge highlight in my career. Your most hilarious drag moment? Me doing drag... That’s pretty hilarious in itself. What’s your secret weapon for RPDR? My creativity and visuals. What are your plans if you win RPDR? Pay off my student loans and retire in Greece to raise bunnies and quails, off the grid.
MARCH 2016 | RAGE monthly 23
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