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Idol Breaker

Singing San Antonio drag performer Ada Vox makes the jump to new reality series Queen of the Universe

BY SANFORD NOWLIN

Ada Vox, the drag queen who grabbed the national spotlight by fi nishing in the top eight on the 2018 season of American Idol, is back.

First, she’s back in her native San Antonio. Following her break on Idol, the South San High School grad relocated to Hollywood to build on her career, but the tough realities of the pandemic brought her back home this fall.

Beyond that, though, she’s back on TV. Vox is one of 14 international drag performers on the RuPaul-produced series Queen of the Universe, where she’s competing for a $250,000 prize. The inaugural season of the Paramount+ series kicked off Dec. 2, and new episodes air every Thursday.

We called Vox to talk about the show and her work to build a singing career that transcends competition shows.

In the bio I received, it says your presence on the Queen of the Universe off ers “a chance to get the redemption she’s seeking.” What redemption is that? A redemption for not going all the way on Idol?

I guess you could say so. I guess, it’s more in terms of ge ing the redemption of not just being some token LGBT or drag person on a TV show that catered to Middle America, and actually ge ing to come back and truly show the real me.

Lip syncing is a more common form of drag performance than actual singing, and Queen of the Universe is being billed as the fi rst singing competition for drag performers. How much credit do you give your turn on Idol for making this new series possible?

I don’t think I can take an abundance of credit, but … I think I was to some extent a factor in them realizing that it would be benefi cial for there to be a space. And that there is a market for people like myself in the industry.

How familiar are you with the other performers you’ll be competing against?

Well, as many people may know, singing drag queens are not exactly at every street corner. We’re a li le harder to fi nd. I believe about half the cast has been successful on other television shows. You know who they are in the community. I went in knowing people — Lagoona Bloo, Leona Winter and of course Jujubee. All of us that have been on TV shows before and are partially or wholly known for singing. So, when I went in, I saw those faces and I said, “OK, this is going to get real good.” Because I know that these girls are very well known, very successful and very talented in their own rights.

Is that daunting?

I fi rmly believe that I am great at what I do. And I don’t let myself get intimidated by other people because I’m fully aware of my skillset. I know what I’m capable of in every aspect of what I do. And I know that I also always have room to grow. So, instead of being intimidated or worried about the competition, I look at all of it as an experience to learn and to just put my best foot forward no ma er what. No ma er how anyone else is doing. It’s my show. And I keep saying, “I am there to compete with myself and nobody else.” And that mindset has kept me very levelheaded in not being concerned or le ing the competition aspect get to me.

Back when you talked to us in 2019, you were developing songwriting partnerships and doing some recording. How’s that going? Are there releases people can check out?

Well, I do actually have three singles released, but there was a problem, and her name was Coronavirus. I had moved to Los Angeles, and I was in the process of lining things up to record my fi rst album. To record music videos. To start a talk show. To do all kinds of wonderful things to take a big step forward in my career. But I was doing that all right around that February-March period [of 2020] and ge ing it situated for the summer. When the pandemic hit that March, it started canceling all my tours. Started canceling everything. We were on lockdown. So, when that all happened, everything just completely fl atlined for me, unfortunately. So, now I’m having to rebuild back from ground zero, and then Queen of the Universe showed itself to me. And I said, “You know what? I think this is the reawakening for me to really focus again and move forward with the things I had originally planned.”

What do you ultimately see as your goal as a musical performer?

I want to be a successful mainstream artist, and I want to be releasing music that allows me to sell out arenas around the world. I want to be someone who sings a James Bond theme song. I want to be considered, potentially, the voice of my generation. There are so many things that I want to do musically, and I see big things for myself. These competition shows are a step ladder to help me get where I need to go.

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Reminder:

Although live events have returned, the COVID-19 pandemic is still with us. Check with venues to make sure scheduled events are still happening, and please follow all health and safety guidelines.

WE ARE WORKING TO LEARN HOW EXERCISE IMPROVES HEALTH AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Be Part of a National Movement to Discover Exercise!

The study measures the changes that occur during and after exercise. This will help researchers learn how exercise improves health. The Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC) is supported by the NIH Common Fund through cooperative agreements managed by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases and National Institute on Aging.

We are looking for volunteers who:

· Are 18 years of age or older. · Exercise 1 time a week or less. · Have no history of diabetes or heart disease. · Would like to have an opportunity to exercise with a personal trainer for 12 weeks and have study-related health exams at UT Health San Antonio.

*Volunteers will be compensated for their participation

CALL 210-450-3333

Email motrpac-dl@uthscsa.edu or Visit:www.motrpac.org/join

For more information please contact the study team at the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies at UT Health San Antonio

Where good friends come together

for the holidays!

2417 N St Mary's St, San Antonio, TX 78212 | /JoeysSanAntonio

EMPLOYMENT

Sr. Automation Quality Assurance Engineer sought by NCS Pearson, Inc., in San Antonio, TX. 40 hrs./wk. Main responsibilities include: Create test plans and use cases to ensure adequate coverage. Design test strategies for di erent applications, web, mobile, API. Creation of adequate frameworks to test di erent products of the organization. Execute functional, performance, application, and regression tests. Implement automation solutions to reduce manual e orts implementing high end technology solutions via UI Web or APIs using latest technologies and open source tools for development, and monitoring. Build technical solutions, creation of automation frameworks maintenance and enhancements of all test development solutions. Performance testing responsibilities such as determine performance testing strategy based on performance requirements from Product and Development. Build and Maintain a scalable, configurable performance test including API testing, load and stress testing. Work independently to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions and escalate as needed. Provide visible metrics indicating test coverage and defect trends, analysis of test results and graphs to provide value responses to business and modify defects before releasing the product. Collaborate with UX Designers, BAs, QA engineers, and product owners to develop continuous product enhancements and releases. Collaboration with business stakeholders implementing QA processes, with good communication skills to understand and analyze technology problems and be able to build solutions that provide a positive impact in the organization. Revamp/rewire the existing automation infrastructure to deliver a stable and scalable automation architecture for API/UI/Mobile needs. Actively contribute in code and design walkthroughs of automated testing implementations across the division. Develop scripts that perform well and can run in parallel for faster delivery. Foster our end-to-end testing approach across multiple applications. Partner with geographically distributed teams to plan our future QA tooling and technology decisions.

Home Benefit Available in the San Antonio, TX MSA area.

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field, or foreign equivalent; and 5 years of technical experience building automated solutions. 5 years developing, executing, and maintaining automated test scripts. 5 years’ experience with testing services (preference given to recent experience with REST/WebAPI). 3 years’ experience with Appium for automating web, native and hybrid apps on iOS & Android. 5 years’ experience Selenium for automating browser-based apps. 3 years’ experience of conducting performance, load and stress testing. Understanding of manual, automation, regression, performance testing role. 5 years of experience working in an Agile and Waterfall environment. 5 years of experience with Atlassian Tools (Bitbucket and Jira). Understanding of CI/CD practices with tools like Jenkins, and Travis.

Reply with resume to: Balaji Balagurumoorthy, NCS Pearson, Inc., 19500 Bulverde Rd., #201, San Antonio, TX 78259; or apply at https://Pearson.jobs.

music listings Wednesday, December 15 The Spits

Before Seattle birthed grunge, it was host to a thriving punk scene. The Spits made sure they were a part of the latter during a time where bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam were hogging the spotlight. Originally from Michigan, the band eventually moved to the West Coast to pursue their hard-touring, low-budget “punk for the people,” and they’re after it 30 years later. $14-$16, 7 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. — Brianna Espinoza

Austin Meade

The New Braunfels Americana artist and his band will perform songs from his most recent rock-heavy album, aptly titled Black Sheep. Kolton Moore will open the night with his own brand of country rock. $20, 8 p.m., Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St., (210) 223-2830, samsburgerjoint.com. — Enrique Bonilla

Robert Earl Keen’s The Road to Christmas

It’s that time of year again. Texas alt-country mainstay Robert Earl Keen’s annual Christmas tour is coming back to town. Armed with a guitar, a raspy voice, a Santa’s sack full of memorable songs and a hankering for eggnog, Keen creates his own brand of Christmas cheer that Texans love. $30-$49.50, 8 p.m., Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 812-4355, theaztectheatre.com. — BE

Wristmeetrazor

If you jumped into a time machine, went back Austin Meade to the mid-2000s heyday of metalcore, added some gothic aesthetics and feelings of darkness and despair, you’d be able to recreate Wristmeetrazor. With three prominent vocalists, each brings their own harsh style to the band’s arm-fl ailing, mosh pit-inducing songs. $15, 7 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. — BE

Saturday, December 18

Facebook / Austin Meade

Thursday, December 16

William Tyler

Though he got his start in indie legends Lambchop and Silver Jews, Tyler has become more well-known for his critically acclaimed solo acoustic guitar work. His all-instrumental music is challenging to describe, though descriptors often include “lush,” “cosmic” and “ambient.” Even though the sound is di erent, Tyler’s output channels the spirit of Leo Kottke and John Fahey. $20, 7 p.m., Lonesome Rose, 2114 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 455-0233, thelonesomerose. com. — Mike McMahan

Duel, Crypt Trip, White Dog

Austin’s Duel is no stranger to San Antonio, having steadily built a following here for its heavy psych rock with a touch of classic doom thrown into the mix. San Marcos’ Crypt Trip and White Dog from Schertz get the show going with sounds complementing Duel’s ’70s-inspired stoner ri age. $10-$15, 8 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx. com. papertigersatx.com. — EB

Friday, December 17

Max Bemis

Before you say anything about this show, note that Max Bemis is the frontman for, well, Say Anything. That project is currently on hiatus, though Bemis’ open struggles with mental health and drugs have lent a “we’ll see” quality to much of his career. His music runs the gamut from emo to indie rock to pop punk. Bemis said this gig is an “opportunity to see a sweaty Jew attempt to age gracefully live, with singing…!” Coolest side note ever: he also writes for Marvel Comics. Yep. 7 p.m., $18-$22, Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx. com. — MM

Donovan Melero

Although primarily known as the lead vocalist and drummer for the mathy post-hardcore band Hail the Sun, Donovan Melero is also a solo artist whose music fl oats and relies more heavily on the strength of his voice than progressive musical chops. After overcoming addiction at a young age, Melero now lives through his music and helps book tours for other striving bands. $16-$18, 8 p.m., Vibes Event Center, 1211 E. Houston St., (210) 255-3833, facebook.com/ VIBESEventCenter. — BE

ZEUS. El Mero Necio

Formerly known as Carlton Zeus, this hiphop performer will bring his original tunes to a North Side venue better known for cover acts and live-band karaoke. It will be a night full of meaning for ZEUS, since this is his fi rst show since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and will also feature a full performance of his pending LP Tejano Revival. It will also be fi lmed. “I grew up in Brownsville, obsessed with the soundtracks of every quinceañera and backyard BBQ: Freddy Fender, Selena, El Grupo Mazz and La Mafi a,” ZEUS said of his music, which brings a distinct South Texas vibe to the hip-hop genre. “I wanted to bring that all together.” 8 p.m., $20, Picks Bar, 4553 N. Loop 1604 West, (210) 253-9220, picksbar.com. — MM

Grupo Fantasma

This Austin-based Latin funk ensemble has been active for more than 20 years, moving bodies with its big-band sound — nine pieces, in fact. The band’s last album American Music: Vol. VII was released in 2019. $20, 9 p.m., Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St., (210) 223-2830, samsburgerjoint.com. — EB

Robert Earl Keen

Saturday, December 18 - Sunday, December 19

Khruangbin

One of the most eclectic acts to achieve widespread success, Khruangbin swirls together Asian surf rock, Jamaican dub, Thai funk and more to create a style that’s been described as heavily infl uenced by Quentin Tarantino soundtracks. The group’s initial work was largely instrumental, though its most recent release, Mordechai, features vocals. Khruangbin’s hard-to-pigeonhole sound has earned it high-profi le festival slots and allowed it to open for Phish mainman Trey Anastasio, with whom they have appeared onstage. Also worthy of note is guitarist Mark Speer’s incredible haircut. $44.50-$58.50, 8 p.m., Tobin Center, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 223-8624, tobincenter. org. — MM

Thursday, December 23

Nina Diaz

Hometown hero Nina Diaz is hunkering down for the fi nal night of her December residency at 502 Bar. Since Girl in a Coma called it quits in 2018, the singer-guitarist has focused on her solo career and will perform with a twopiece setup augmented by backing tracks she created. Diaz, who recently appeared on the acclaimed Elvis Costello tribute LP Spanish Model, will showcase material from her upcoming, second solo LP. In addition, expect this performance to feature a “holiday-inspired” setlist. Tis the season and all. Free, 9 p.m., 502 Bar, 502 Embassy Oaks #138, (210) 257-8125, 502bar.com. — MM

Facebook / Robert Earl Keen

Sunday, December 26

Ruben V

San Antonio-based road warrior Ruben V stays busy — 120-days-on-the-road-annually busy. When the master blues guitarist is home, he writes, produces and is a family man. Sometimes, like this one, he even plays gigs. $12, 9 p.m., Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St., (210) 223-2830, samsburgerjoint.com. — EB

Tuesday, December 28

Nina Diaz

Toadies, Reverend Horton Heat

If your radio dial has landed on KISS-FM during the past three decades, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the Toadies’ song “Possum Kingdom.” Known for fusing grungy guitars with radio-ready hooks, these North Texans are still popping out albums similar to the ’90s releases that put them on the map. Another North Texas staple from that decade’s alternative-rock boom, the Reverend Horton Heat, will warm up the crowd with a “Psychobilly Freakout” featuring turbocharged guitar licks and pounding upright bass. $27.50-$39.50, Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 812-4355, theaztectheatre.com. — BE