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DRAGAZINE SPRING 2022

ISSUE 001

DRAGAZINE

EDITORS NOTES

Welcome to Dragazine! I am so proud and pleased to introduce the very first issue of Dragazine Mag. I hope you all enjoy what this magazine has to offer! Over the past few months I have had the pleasure of gathering these stories by speaking to some inspiring people with some incredible stories to tell. Dragazine aims to celebrate all types and varieties of Drag that continue to inspire and uplifts audiences. There has been a huge amount of work and effort that has gone into creating this magazine and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome! In this first issue of Dragazine, stories will be shared from drag acts all over the UK. Including Venetia Bline, Wales’ first blind drag queen and Kiki Pain, a AFAB queen from from Merseyside, who has only been doing drag for 8 months. As a supporter of Drag and the LGBTQ+ community, I felt the need for one sole platform to share these incredible stories. Although Drag has come a long way in terms of inclusivity, there is still a long way to go to mainstream all varieties of drag, and hopefully this magazine can pave a way in doing exactly that. There’s so many stories for you to read in this edition, so I hope you all enjoy the very first issue! Thank you for reading!

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DRAGAZINE

ONTENTS Drag Kings- giving the middle finger to gender binary Jake Sawyers- Wales’ visually impaired drag queen Wig makers- a vital segment to drag Is RuPaul changing the next generation of drag? AFAB queens are ready for the limelight Drag Fest 2022 Liverpool’s Cherry Jezebel The UK’s biggest Drag Race fan Drag Race All stars Winners season of Drag Race is finally here! Changing the face of fine art Facing challenges in drag Dragazine’s podcast recommendations Drag in the mainstream In the next issue Front ocver image by Venetia Blind

THE RISE OF DRAG KINGS: Giving the middle finger to gender binary

Drag queens are taking centre stage in mainstream culture yet their drag king counterparts are yet to enjoy the same limelight. Now, with so many up and coming stars, this may be about to change.

rag kings have historically been female performance artists who dress in masculine drag and embody male gender stereotypes. However, as gender understandings have grown more fluid in recent years, so has this concept; today, there are trans men kings, nonbinary kings, and even cisgender males who perform as drag kings, just as there are cisgender women who perform as queens. LoUis CYfer was the first Drag King to win the crown at Drag Idol UK and has

gone on to become a well-known performer in the UK cabaret scene, who‘pushes the boundaries of what is expected of alpha masculinity.’ The character of LoUis CYfer was created during their time undertaking a master’s degree in contemporary performance making. The South Yorkshire born drag king talked about their introduction into the drag world: “I got into drag mainly because I was an actor, I always wanted to be a performer, I went to university and was doing my master’s degree and we had to

make a final major performance and I didn’t know what I was going to do and someone said that art was about should be a reflection of the world that you live in today. “I found that really moving and at the time, I was really confused about my gender, and this was at a time way back when, there wasn’t terms like nonbinary, there was no language, so I used the language of performance and the mode of performance to basically dress up as a guy. “So, I created a onehour show all about who was better, was it all the gay people

or all the straight people, and then from that show LoUis CYfer was born.” The popular entertainment TV show, RuPaul’s Drag Race has never featured a Drag King, and has also received criticism for the lack of transgender representation on the show. RuPaul’s Drag Race has provided a solid platform for the drag community to grow and become known; although, it has predominately provided a platform for cis-gendered men. The common belief is that RuPaul’s Drag Race is not fully inclusive of everyone in the LGBTQ+ community.

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There is space in the mainstream for more drag

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hile drag queens have recently broken more into mainstream culture, largely due to the success from RuPaul’s drag race, not all drag counterparts have had the same exposure. The 34-year-old drag king added: “I think everything should have its shot. “There’s been a lot of gatekeeping in the drag community where some people are classed as drag and some aren’t, and it shouldn’t just rest on one really crappy show which is there to suck the life out of drag queens and to turn them into nothing more than models. “It’s just very different types of drag. There is space in the mainstream for more drag in TV shows and pop culture. There is space for us.” They added: “Wouldn’t it be fun just seeing Drag Kings or queens on normal TV shows.” Misogyny in drag is still a prominent issue within the community and LoUis expresses their experience: “When you start preforming as an alter ego you sometimes worry that what’s underneath all the makeup, the audience won’t like. “And sometimes the audience, because of what makeup you’re wearing, don’t like you.”

LoUis says: “When I first started touring with drag, I went to some venues where they turned their noses up when they realised, I was the cabaret act, or they even turned their back to me when I was up on stage. But once I was a couple of songs into the show, they changed their minds. “I think misogyny in the queer scene is just ridiculous and rather rife, so that has been a big challenge, but, I have been very supported by other drag queens, and everything I know, I have learnt from them, and I am very fortunate in that respect.” LoUis is planning on a busy year ahead with a role in the up and coming series ‘The man that fell to Earth’ airing on 24th of April 2022. “I am very lucky being an actor that I actually have some TV work coming out on April 24th, that is called the man that fell to Earth, which used to be a David Bowie movie and it’s now been changed into a series. I got to play a character called Chantelle and I was able to work alongside very talented people.” You can support LoUis CYfer by following them on social media, on instagram and twitter @mxlouiscyfer

Image credit- LoUis CYfer

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As a disabled performer, it is more important to do what you want to do

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DRAG DRAG DRAG DRAG DRAG DRAG DRAG DRAG F DRAG DRAG WALES’ FIRST BLIND DRAGDRAG QUEEN DRAG “I went to study acting at university, with my partner who I met at college when we were 16. “Once I graduated from university in 2016, we were both looking for work in the acting industry. When we moved to Cardiff, we were watching a lot of RuPaul’s drag race, it had just been put on Netflix at that time.” For many LGBT individuals from small towns over the country, there is rarely a large LGBT or drag community. This was the same for Jake. He said: “We moved from Port Talbot which was a very small working class town that didn’t have an LGBT scene what so ever, it didn’t have a drag scene, so we didn’t know much about drag until we started watching Drag Race.” “And then when we moved to Cardiff, in February 2017, we discovered the local drag scene and the local queer scene in Cardiff, so we were watching Drag race in the week and then experiencing the local drag scene on the weekend, so as you can tell we were very drag obsessed at that point.” He added: “The reason

I love drag so much is that there is no definition of what drag should be, there’s no right or wrong.” He started preforming in drag in 2019, after he was introduced to Cardiff’s drag scene. “I think it was 2019, there was a call out at the Wales millennium centre, from a local drag queen who we knew, she was hosting a scratch night, and basically said if you ever wanted to have a go at drag know is your time to do it.” “I didn’t really want to go to a gay bar to do drag because its very loud and there’s always a lot of people and it would’ve been really daunting with my sight impairment. “So, when this opportunity came about, as an actor I was very used to that stage, I knew the drag queen who was hosting it, and because it’s going to be more of a theatre setting than a club setting, I thought that this is my time to have a go.” rom this first performance, Venetia Blind was born. Jake’s partner, Taylor came up with the name, and it ‘just fits

perfectly.’ “I set out for it to be more of a hobby, but it has turned into something that I can make my job.” For Jake, makeup is the most difficult part of drag. He adds: “One I am blind, two I am a cis gendered man who has never had an expectation, so I was going in with minus knowledge of makeup.” To gain the skills that Jake has occurred, he attended makeup tutorials and met other blind drag queens across the country. “I watched a lot of videos, and I attended a theatre group in London, where I met another blind Drag performer called Amelia Cavallo, and they were starting their own company called Quiplash, which was blind people basically exploring drag, it came at a really great time for me as obviously I was just starting out.” “From that I went to London and had a few makeup tutorials and we talked about how to make the shows audio descriptive and accessible, and we discussed how to do makeup, which was really beneficial for me at the time.”

Jake Sawyers is entertaining and educating people when transforming into Venetia Blind.

Image Credit- Jake Sawyers

ake Sawyers’ is Wales’ first blind drag queen. Across the country, the light on disabled drag acts are rather limited in mainstream culture. Being Wales’s first blind drag queen, Jake Sawyers or also known as Venetia Blind, is now paving the way for a new influx of drag acts across the country. “To my knowledge I am Wales’ first ever visually impaired drag queen.” Jake was born with a sight impairment and is completely blind in his left eye, also having little sight in his left eye. During school, Jake excelled in acting and he explains how this was an initial step into his drag career: “I always thought that preforming and acting was always something that I could do and that I was good at, so I didn’t need that much intervention. All my other lessons I always had teaching assistants sitting next to me. Jake was well supported by his parents and had great support in school, which helped him become the confident, independent person he is now.

DRAGAZINE

CHANGIN

ONE HAIR A

Drag across the country would not be viable without the continuous talent from creators. From wig makers to costume creators, they are the backbone to a good look.

ophia’s Wig Creations is a wig company who has amassed a cult following in the drag queen world and has provided wigs for queens all across the country. Sophia Lenoard, the name behind the fast growing business, began wig creating when she left her hairdressing career. She says: “I started learning how to style wigs after leaving hairdressing. “I found it to be much more exciting and I actually wore a wig myself at the time due to personal reasons. “This personal tie to wigs gave me a greater reason to pursue something that otherwise could be described as uncommon.”

The 24 year old added: “I started it because of the challenge it set me, as there was a challenge I wasn’t receiving from hairdressing. It was intimidating and initially seemed impossible to pick up. “I enjoyed the learning process.” Sophia has a huge loyal following in the drag community and this has lead to her providing wigs for big household names in the community. “I have made wigs for many people, businesses, and exciting personalities. I’ve also had the pleasure to make wigs for some well known names such as the Vivienne (Drag Race UK season 1 winner) and Ellis Atlantis (Glow up season 1 winner). I hope to keep making more in the future.”

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ost of Sophia’s customers are part of the drag community, there’s plenty of customers purchasing for various reasons. Sophia says: “Most of my customers are drag queens who use synthetic wigs in all sorts of colours, however, I do also offer services to women who are looking for a human hair wig for cosmetic and personal reasons. I also supply men’s Toupees.” Just like most businesses across the country, the pandemic has affected Sophia’s Wig Creations.

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Sophia said: “Creating wigs can wigs can take from 3 hours so sometimes many days. All dependant on what is being asked. On average I create 12-20 per month, this can increase at peak times, but I try to cap at 20 to allow plenty of time between wigs so there is less stress and more focus on each creation. “This was affected during covid, the workload was reduced by over 50% and the ability to continue trading was down to the government grants I was entitled to.”

Its a pleasure to be a small segment to someone’s full vision

Wig images taken by Sophia’s wig creations.

AT A TIME

” 9

RUPAUL EFFECT The phenomenon that is the ‘RuPaul effect’ and the undeniable rise of social media has been in part to the explosive new era of drag. The next generation of drag stars are being more inspired by the famous Drag Race and this is evident in drag culture today.

ack in 2009, the iconic RuPaul’s drag race began the quest to search for ‘America’s next drag superstar’. 13 years and nine versions of the show later, the influence of the popular TV show is evident in mainstream drag culture. Drag Race has now spawned conventions all over the world. In living rooms across the world, young people are now being exposed to more possibilities and more drag than ever. This accessibility inspired the next generation of Drag in the UK. For Luke Webster, a 21-year-old drag queen from Bradford, this story is all to familiar. Luke told the Dragazine how he got into drag and said: “I originally

got into drag through watching RuPaul’s drag race; I started watching it at around 15 and at that age I wasn’t able to attend any live drag shows as the majority are in 18+ venues. “This was my first introduction into drag and queer culture where it was celebrated rather than just seeing a middle aged man in a wig with balloons for boobs at an all-inclusive holiday resort. For many members of the LGBTQ+ community, RuPaul’s Drag race has enabled … “At the time I had not fully come out yet and finding drag, in particular drag race, allowed me to begin to explore my queer identity and subsequently my gender identity as well as giving me a creative outlet. “Drag also then pro-

provided a gateway to meet other members of the LGBT+ community. The mainstream of drag has provided more people to enter the community. Luke added: “I have been doing drag now for three years, but with the pandemic and other commitments, it has had to take a back seat for the time being.

volunteering to enter myself in a lip sync competition to win a £50 bar tab.” or Luke, other inspirations for his drag and starting drag comes from other queens in the community. “Within my ‘local’ drag community I an inspired and my drag is inspired

by the showgirls who perform at the Viaduct Showbar in Leeds; CoCo Vadose and Saki yew to name a few. “I also take a lot of inspiration from some more internationally well-known queens in the wider, global drag community such as Trixie Mattel, Naomi Smalls, Bob the drag queen, Juno Birch, and Aquaria. Outside of the drag community, I think it’s important that there are other influential people, from pop icons and artists like Lady Gaga, Charli XCX, Kim Petras and Lana Del Rey” Like many queens across the country, the pandemic had affected work load and income, and this is the same for Luke. Luke added: “So I have been doing drag for around 3 years and because of the COVID pandemic and working full time drag has had to take more of a back seat in my life more recently.” “Because of this, at the moment my aspirations for the immediate future are to travel before I decide what to do further on in the future whether

that be putting my all into drag. lthough only starting drag three years ago. Luke has established a sense of identity since he began. “Doing drag and drag itself has allowed me to explore my gender and queer identity, to feel comfortable in my own skin, to feel free to be my authentic self, to live my life to the fullest, and to not care what others think of me. “I am very lucky that everyone in my life is supportive of my drag, my identity, and basically everything I do” I haven’t really faced many challenges in drag other than the obvious

trying to endure several hours in 6 inch heels whilst also jumping into splits and dips. In the past I’ve experienced the same harassment and bullying during early high school years and prior I’m sure every flamboyant, feminine, ‘visibly gay’ child who grew up in the UK experienced.”

Image take by Luke Webster

“I began experimenting with drag as soon as I began experimenting with makeup which was around 2018 but it wasn’t until 2019 I began to actually leave my bedroom and go out in drag and perform, initially starting off just

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They think I’m playing dress up

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DRAGAZINE

AFABULOUS!

There has never been a time in history when the drag community has been more visible or represented than now. But for AFAB queens, the representation is harder to find.

drag for nine months now! I can’t actually believe it. I only started on the 31st of August 2021.” RuPaul’s drag race has inspired a new wave of drag stars from all across the world. She added: “I got into drag from watching drag race and then being inspired from watching the local drag queens DJing. “I was so interested in doing it as being able to perform whilst in full face and a huge wig has always been my dream. “My biggest inspiration for starting drag was Trixie Mattel as she also has a music career. I am also so inspired by local queens like Brenda La Beau and Shania Pain as they’re both such amazing performers.” Only nine months into her drag career, Kiki Pain is a household name in the Liverpool drag scene and now preforms across the region every weekend. Although she is rather-

new to drag, she has already faced many challenges and setbacks in her career. “Since starting drag, the main criticism or set back I have faced is being an AFAB queen. “I didn’t think it would be as I didn’t experience until a few months ago, but it is mainly people thinking I’m playing dress up or doing it for fun, when in fact I am trying to make a career out of it like the rest of the queens.” She adds: “It is something I take seriously, and I support every other queen and the challenges others may face so I think it is only fair we should be treated with the same respect, acceptence can help.”

iara says: “I completely think that there should be more acknowledgement of AFAB drag queens. “As a minority already I think its very easy for people to not understand where we’re coming from or what we’re even about.” “With the exception of Victoria Scone, who was on the third season of Drag Race UK, there has been no representation of AFAB queens on mainstream platforms such as Drag Race. “I think we need to see more AFAB queens doing gigs locally and on social media platforms, so that people can be made aware we do exist, and we are just as fierce as other queens!”

All images taken by KIKI PAIN

t’s about time the underrepresented AFAB queens have a chance to shine in the same limelight that their drag counterparts are currently bathing in. The only representation of AFAB drag queens in mainstream media is Victoria Scone who caused controversy over her appearance as the first ever cisgender drag queen on Drag Race UK season three. Victoria Scone’s presence is a significant first for the show. Other AFAB queens up and down the country are preparing to revolutionise drag as the majority know it. Ciara McDermott, or most famously known as Kiki Pain, is a top AFAB queen taking over the North West drag scene. The 23 year old queen from Widnes, only began the journey into drag a monumental nine months ago. She told Dragazine: “I have only been doing

Click image for Cherry Jezebel video and extra information

A love letter to Liverpool’s queer community 5/5

herry Jezebel definitely lives up to what it says on the tin. It’s Rude, raw, and incredibly raucous. The new Everyman queer drama, written by Jonathan Larkin and directed by James Baker, is equally heart breaking as it is hilarious. Jonathan Larkin’s Cherry Jezebel portrays being part of the LGBTQ+ community through a multi-faceted lens. The two hour long play begins in a dismal illuminated loos in a city centre gay bar, where we first meet the infamous Cherry Brandy (Mickey Jones) and long-time accomplice and best friend, Heidi Hand job (Mariah Louca). Mickey Jones shines in the title role, playing the incredibly witty and unapologetically scouse queen. Cherry Brandy: the ‘Sheil Road Shirley Temple’ is on a euphoric high from being crowned Mersey Pride Icon. We are introduced to Cherry’s destructive appetite for straight men with straight cis male Mo (George Jones), who later gets caught in the hectic crossfire with the young Pearl Reckless.

The evidently talented Stefan Race plays the young non-binary queen Pearl Reckless with a youthful enthusiasm that contrasts beautifully with the elder cast members. One can’t help but be moved by this character’s troubled decisions, who, at core, only wants to be accepted, no matter what it takes. The play takes the audience on trip into the world of a queer family, No joke goes by without being followed by another, even more merciless. Every line flowed into a killer punchline, tasteful to the demographic. Jonathan Larkins’ Cherry Jezebel is a high velocity comedy about out of hours drag and queer culture in Liverpool. It is effortlessly authentic and serves In all, there’s never a time that a chorus of ‘set you free’ won’t recieve a standing obvation. It’s not just a play that celebrates queerness and Drag, but it spills the tea on the pain behind the polish and, combines the glitz with the grit. Overall, Cherry Jezebel is paving the way for a new era of entertainment shinning the light on drag and issues facing the LGBTQ+ community.

REVIEW

CHERRY JEZEBEL

DRAGAZINE

Meet the UK’s biggest Drag Race superfan

raig Ford from Southend on Sea has spent a grand total of £10,000 on being a Drag Race superfan and has 11 drag race stars tattooed across his body. He considers himself to be a superfan: “I think I would consider myself as a Drag Race superfan. Saying that, I would probably have Drag race as my specialist subject on mastermind.” The 39-year-old was a relative newcomer to the Drag Race scene, only being introduced to the show during season

By Sophie Moore

five of the show, by friends in 2013. He said: “I have been a fan since watching season 5, couple of lads I worked with got me watching the show.” Craig started getting drag tattoos around 2017, and his first one was of his favourite queen, season three’s Shangela. Craig talked about why Shangela was his favourite and said: “I love Shangela. I love the growth and her can do attitude. Plus, the girl can really perform. “From the UK, I also love Victoria Scone (RuPaul’s Drag Race first AFAB queen) she is an

“I have met a lot of the queens since I have been a fan of Drag Race. I have probably met around 25/30 queen altogether. I am planning on meeting more queens soon.” “My personal favourite queen that I met was Shangela as she was the first one that I ever met and she is my favourite queen from the show. “Another favourite moment was when Asia O’Hara remembered me when I met her for the second time which was very cool. All the queens I’ve had the pleasure off meeting have all been so nice. I’m very lucky to have no negative experiences.” raig has spent thousands supporting Drag and Drag Race since he became a fan. “I don’t think I could necessarily put a number on it, but it must be in the region of about £10,000. I’ve spent thousands attending events and getting tattoos.” He is planning on supporting more queens this year at many live shows and events including Lemon and Cheryl Hole. Craig is also is seeing the cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season 3 on tour.

All images taken by Craig Ford. Featured images include: Michelle Visage, Cheryl Hole and Victoria Scone.

incredible live performer.” Victoria Scone is also the most recent edition to Craigs tattoo haul. In total, Craig has 11 Drag Race stars inked onto his arm and leg, including Drag Race judge Michelle Visage. Craig had friend and renowned tattoo artist Sammy Surjay of Luna Blue Tattoo to create the portraits for him. Despite the lack of space left for tattoos, Craig is planning for more in the near future. He says: “I have very limited space left on my leg do have space for maybe one or two left. I do think my next tattoo would be Janey Jacke from Drag Race Holland” o date, the queens Craig have tattooed are: Shangela, Asia O’Hara, Peppermint, Manila Luzon, Joslyn Fox, Widow Von Du, Cheryl Hole, Tayce, Victoria Scone, Lemon and Drag Race judge, Michelle Visage. “My favourite tattoo would have to be the one of Michelle Visage, I really idolise her.” Being a huge superfan of Drag Race, Craig has been able to meet some of his favourite queens.

DRAGAZINE

Race would be my “ Drag specialist subject on mastermind ”

Image by Paramount- RuPaul

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ow’s this for a shake up? Season seven of Drag Race All Stars is set to be an all-winners season, to crown the ‘Queen of all Queens’ due to the continuous demand for the much-loved favourites to return to our screens. The competition show is set to debut on the 20th May 2022 on paramount+ and the drama will continued with new episodes of Untucked, which features backstage drama not broadcasted in the original show. The new season expects to bring together eight previous winners of Drag Race and All Stars, to compete for the all important second crown and a massive $200,000. Rumour has it, no queen will be eliminated throughout the season, rather queens will battle for the crown using a point system. This change has been favourable for fans of the show; some saying that this will prevent a repeat of the ‘catastrophic’ Drag Race Vs The World. The winners competing include: Jaida Essence Hall (season 12), Jinkx Monsoon (Season five), Monet X Change (All stars four), Raja (Season three), Shea Coulee (All Stars five), Trinity the Tuck (All stars four), The Vivienne (UK season one), Yvie Oddly (season 11). Each queen has gone on to have impressive successful careers since winning the crown, but the question still looms, will the early winners be able to compete with more recent queens?

WI N N E CE R S

ans of the show are egar to see if it is going to live up to its hype. Sharon Louise, a fan of the show said: “This is going to be a tough season. I love them all but its #MissMonet and #MissYvie that have my heart!” Christina Apodaca added: “I love them all so much. “I don’t have a favourite right now; they all are so beautiful. I’m going into this just happy to watch all of them again.” However, some UK fans are frustrated that the show is not easily accessible to view in the UK. Emma Collins expressed her annoyance and said: “I really want to watch it but I don’t want to pay for another subscription! “I wish it would go back to Netflix or even streaming on BBC.”

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DRAGAZINE

Image collage from Kel Enders

“There was a lack of portrayal in fine art. In my own tiny way, I hope to help change this.” 21

DRAGAZINE

Enders, a professional fine art artist from London, has gained an extensive portfolio of Drag paintings since 2019. In the Drag community and the art world, Kel is a well known and established artist who creates paintings and prints entirely focusing on Drag queens and drag icons. Some drag icons that Kel has previously painted include Bimini Bon Boulash, Trixie Mattel, Gottmik, Tayce, Jimbo and Juno Birch. These paintings have led to Kel being recognised for his art by numerous drag queens. Kel told Dragazine: “I’m very grateful that I have

CHANGI FACE OF F

received a number of lovely messages about my paintings from queens like Miss Fame, Gigi Goode, Bimini and Utica, after they’ve seen my portraits of them on social media. Trixie Mattel is a much loved queen all over the world, and inspires Kel in his work: “I have so many favourite queens! If I had to choose just one, I’d probably say Trixie Mattel. She’s definitely the queen I’ve painted the most! I love her sense of humour & her Barbie pink aesthetic” “In 2020 I also had the amazing opportunity to meet and take reference photos of Rock M Sakura for a portrait painting.” The 35 year old, only began their professional art career in 2019, but that has not stopped them in being acknowledge by drag queens all over the world. Before 2019, Kel was only painting as a hobby, then with feedback from friends and family decided to put their talent to full use and create Kel Enders Art. www.kelenderart.com They said: “I began pursuing a professional art career in 2019. Prior to that I mainly painted as a hobby and would occasionally sell my paintings/take commissions from friends and family.” Kel added: “I’ve always painted portraits, but it was until in 2019 that I began painting drag artists. I started with a painting a portrait of Trixie Mattel and haven’t stopped

DRAGAZINE creating drag portraits since! “I got into creating drag portraits from watching Drag Race! It’s really taken drag into the mainstream. “ Drag brings me so much joy and I also find the artistry very inspiring.” Since the initial success of the art business Kel is now getting recognised and noticed on social media platforms by customers. “I sell my paintings and art prints on my website - www.kelendersart.com and also on Etsy. A lot of the people find my work from seeing it on Instagram and TikTok. “I also sell at live events like Drag Fest and Drag Con. It’s always such an amazing experience to display my work at these events and to have drag fans see it in person!” Kel is also planning on selling his art at next year’s Drag Con UK. “I’m actually planning to exhibit some of my paintings at next year’s Drag Con UK.” Kel Enders told Dragazine how being transgender has impacted their art in many ways. “I feel that being trans is integral to the art I create.” hey added: “I began my transition about 15 years ago, at a time where there was very little trans visibility and representation in the media. “I did, however, see drag artists. Their freedom of expression was inspiring, especially when coming to terms with my own trans identity. This is the one of the reasons why my artwork focuses on queer/trans drag artists such as Juno Birch, Gottmik and Kylie Sonique Love.” Kel is

They added: “I noticed that there was a huge lack of representation in the traditional fine art world and in my own tiny way, I hope to help change this.” Follow and support Kel Enders and their art on their instagram @ Kelendersart and tik tok @ kelendersart and to purchase any prints or portraits follow the link www. kelendersart. com

hoping to make a change (if only small) to the representation of trans artists in traditional fine art.

All images/ paintings credit @Kelendersart

ING THE FINE ART

DRAGAZINE

“ PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS WANT

TO STAMP ON YOUR PARADE ” Sean was inspired by old drag queens who ‘that make you laugh and put on a show’. He says: “Danny La country have faced Rue was an absolute setbacks and criticism inspiration to me incredfrom peers. This has only ible shows, costumes, spurred Krystal Mace and you can’t forget Lily from Stoke on Trent to Savage.” succeed further. Sean’s favourite part Krystal Mace, about drag is the transbegan doing drag formation. professionally 7 years He says: “The hard ago, aged 28. Now age work that comes with the 35, Sean Smith believes art form. and after 3/4 that transforming into hours to see the transforKrystal Mace helps him mation come alive and to feel ‘fierce, confident becoming that character and sassy’. Krystal is what I love the With support from most doing drag.” colleges and friends on He adds: “It may sound the set of rehearsals for strange but I become La Cage Aux Folles, more confident, sassy Sean was persuaded into and lose the sense of a career in drag. who I am (the real me). He said: “I was 24 “I get comfort from years old and started that character and like I rehearsals for La Cage can take on the world.” Aux Folles and I was espite being a playing Mercedes a successful drag fierce queen, who would act, Krystal always give her all on has still faced criticism stage. from other queens in the “I was told by many of community. the cast and production “The biggest challenges team that being a drag I have faced is mainly queen was all natural the criticism from others to me and that I should and other drag queens. pursue this as a career. “Unfortunately there “As soon as that first is a lot of vicious people lace front wig, heels and and queens who want to make up went on, I new stamp on your parade.” it would not be the last.” Sean adds: “ I would When starting drag, advise new starters

of drag to hold your head up high, learn to grow (you will become better at the make up and looks) “And never ever allow anyone to knock you down. Laugh it off, and play to your advantage.” Krystal has given Sean more confidence than ever before. He told Dragazine how this has

affected his life and said: “My life has changed the most by becoming a stronger person and having a back bone. Growing up gay in the 90s was difficult and bullied for been different. Now I have this character Krystal who has made me say here she is world.”

All images taken by Sean Smith/ Krystal Mace

any queens across the

DRAGAZINE

best drag podcasts

1. Famous this week with Priyanka

A Dragazine favourite! You certainly won’t be forgetting her name after listing to Priyanka’s weekly podcast. Each week she shares tales from her gigs around the world, plus special interviews with other famous queens and queer icons. There is also a chance for the audience to get involved in the ‘call me now’ segment of the show, Priyanka calls back her followers.

2. Hall and Closet with Jaida and Heidi

Drag Race season 12 winner, Jaida Essence Hall, is joined by season 12’s Miss Congeniality: Heidi N Closet. The duo get to the bottom of just about anything. From Drag to science, these queens want their questions answered.

3. Race Chaser/Hot Goss with Willam and Alaska 4. The Bald and the Beautiful with TrixieMattel Font Awesome by fontawseone- https://fontawesome.com

Racer Chaser is a racap of very single episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Hot Goss however, is a weekly podcast, where the pair disccuss topical events happening in their own live, issues in politicas and answer all the fan questions.

and Katya Zamo This fortnightly podcast features the pair of queens exploring the cultural boundaries of modern beauty through interviews with gorgeous guests and, Trixie and Katya break down the beauty behind it all.

Listen to Dragazine’s first ever podcast ! 25

Tackling mainstream culture From music videos, to films, this is how UK Drag acts are dominating modern culture.

n 2020, the biggest girl band in the world, Little Mix, released a 3 minute long music video to the hit song and title track Confetti. The music video featured 3 UK Drag sensations. Those of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 2’s Tayce, Bimini Bon Boulash and Awhora. The music video was starting block for more representation of drag in mainstream culture. This was a catapult for more music videos in the UK to feature Drag acts. After Bimini’s success featuring in Little Mix’s Confetti music video, Bimini starred in the music video for Majestic x Boney M’s hit song Rasputin. Previously, in 2017, Little Mix’s hit ‘Power’s music video also featured drag queens, and was a huge breakthrough for drag in the UK. It started famous queens like: Alaska, Willam, Courtney Act.

rag Queens have also not shied away from the camera, with many appearing or being the stars of films and TV shows in the UK.. After the success in theatres, ‘Everybody’s talking about Jamie’ came to our screens at the end of 2021, after a delay to proceedings, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘Everybody’s talking about Jamie’ doesn’t only just feature Drag Queens and acts, it is based on a true story, the life of Jamie Campbell, the name behind the BBC documentary, Jamie: Drag queen at 16. The film features Drag Race’s famous, Bianca Del. Rio. The film also features Richard E. Grant who plays, Loco Chanelle, a drag queen mentor to the 16 year old Jamie. His character, has an old school drag feeling and didn’t replicate modern drag displayed in popular shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race. In recent years there has been an influx of Drag queens shown in mainstream media and culture. However, there is still a long way to go to embody all types of Drag in the mainstream and modern world.

DRAGAZINE

Next Issue... Take a sneak peek inside the next issue of Dragazine! Available to purchase in Autumn 2022. pealed. Dragazine also have an exclusive interview with Jamie Campbell, the drag queen behind ‘Everybody’s talking about Jamie’ and the popular BBC documentary Jamie: Drag queen at 16. He will be discussing the recent success of the Everybody’s talking about Jamie film and the impact of having more Drag in mainstream media and culture. On top of all that, there will be a flood of drag stories that we will be sharing and shinning a light upon, including a cis male Drag King from London and we are sharing the story of a deaf drag queen. Hope you enjoyed this issue and looking forward to the next!

Image from Jamie Campbell

he first ever issue of Dragazine has brought you a whole lot of drag. From Drag Kings, to the biggest drag fans in the UK, there is still so much more to show you! In next seasons issue of Dragazine, there will be exclusive interviews with queens from up and down the country who are rumoured to be cast in season 4 of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Maybe you will see your new favourites here first! With RuPaul’s Drag Race all stars winners season, just around the corner, we will be catching you up with all the drama and excitement from this highly anticipated season. We will be discussing if the rumours are true. Seeing whether or not there is a switch up in the way the queens are voted out. Is that enough Drag Race for you? If not we have plenty more coming up so keep your eyes

By Sophie Moore

Image by Kel Enders Art

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