JAYMES MANSFIELD


Who or what were the biggest influences for you growing up? Pee-Wee Herman and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark: Openly weird and unapologetically awesome. First time you put on a dress? At four I would put T-shirts on my head as my “hair” and another around my body for a “dress.” My mother never knew why the necklines of my t-shirts were always so stretched out. How about the first time you did it professionally? I was booked to do a charity show at the Milwaukee LGBT Center. I made a puppet with a matching outfit and performed the song “Global Warming” by Vermillion Lies. Did you have a drag mother? If so, please describe your experience. I’m a drag foster child and I had two drag mothers, the legendary Milwaukee pageant queen Rudi D’Angelo and the legendary West Hollywood trash queen, the amazing Ruby Claire. Neither taught me performance, or how to shape my look, but rather offered encouragement and guidance. Favorite song to lip sync to? My absolute favorite song to lip sync to is “The Homecoming Queens Got A Gun” by Julie Brown. I’m a huge Dr. Demento fan and ‘80s comedy records hold a dear place in my heart. Best or funniest “I fucked it up” moment? One time when I was lip syncing to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” my wig fell off. Luckily, it happened during the part of the song where I had a sample of Mariah’s live, vocal fail onGood Morning America, so the audience thought it was part of the act. What or who inspires you? Outsiders that somehow make it “in.” Eccentric people that don’t fit in, but create a style and make themselves hip. People like John Waters, Pee- wee Herman and Sandra Bernhard. What does drag mean to you, really? Drag is my obsession. It’s art and drag is deeper than people give it credit for. It’s been around for centuries and it will continue on, after I’m lost to the sands of time. From Shakespeare’s casting of men as women, to drag queens casting bricks in the Stonewall Riots, drag is powerful.


Most common misconceptions people have about drag artists? I’d say the common misconception about drag, is that people are so quick to box things in. They try and standardize it and it can’t be. There’s no limits to what drag can be or who can do it. What do you hope people get from your performances? I hope my audience leaves whatever I do, feeling happy. Be it a live show or a web video, if I can make somebody laugh, my job is done.


KIMORA BLAC


Who or what were the biggest influences for you growing up? My mom. She was a single parent raising my brother and I and instilled in me the importance of indepen- dence, hard work and self-belief. She always made sure we believed that life is what you make it. I actually didn’t have to “come out,” she just


always told me as long as I was proud of who I was, she would always love and support me. The first time you put on a dress? It wasn’t really a dress but when I was young (about 12) I had a bathrobe that I loved and would wear around the house. I loved pretending it was a fabulous sundress I would wear on Rodeo Drive, just like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. How about the first time you did it professionally? About eight years ago, I was living in San Francisco and hosting at a club called The Crib. I was actually introducing Lady Gaga as the guest entertainer that evening—this was obviously way before she was discovered—now having her on the show this season brings it all full circle for me! Did you have a drag mother? If so, please describe your experience. No, I didn’t. But if I had a drag mother, she would have to be a mix of Kim Kardashian, AnnaWintour and Raja fromRuPaul’s Drag Race. Favorite song to lip sync to? “Sex Shooter” by Apollonia 6. Best or funniest “I fucked it up” moment? One night in Vegas, I was wearing a new pair of Christian Louboutin’s and was so excited to wear them, that I performed in them and wore them that whole night. I tend to make fun of girls visiting Vegas who take their shoes off after a long, crazy night and are barefoot on the strip or in a hotel lobby. That night, I was that girl! Needless to say, I never wanted to see those pumps again! What or who inspires you? Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Karl Lagerfeld, Olivier Rousteing, Alessandra Ambrosio and of course Posh herself... Victoria Beckham. What does drag mean to you, really? To me it is a perfect fantasy life where I can live out all my fetishes and have no regrets about it! I’m able to do the things that “Von” is scared to do. I created Kimora to show my sexy, vixen side so that I can show the world what sex kittens looks like! Most common misconceptions people have about drag artists? For me, people think that I want to be a woman. Because my transfor- mation is so drastic, it’s almost as if I am a different person. People sometimes think drag has rules, but honestly, the best thing about drag? You can create your own rules on fashion, makeup, in performance and acting.


MARCH 2017 | RAGE monthly 23


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