JEZZABELLE

Can you define your drag persona and where did your inspiration come from?

 

“The inspiration comes from all the powerhouse women in my life. And Nicole Kidman. Over time I have developed her; adding in my own quirks, interests, humour, and fetishes until she became the whore you all know and love today!”

Can you describe your first drag performance?

 

“ I got into Drag in two different ways…

 

While working as an aspiring model I was asked to do a photoshoot in womenswear. It was well received and then lots of different people asked me to do womenswear shoots/shows etc. I realised I might have something fabulous here. As a result of the approval I just kept on doing it and it began to feed into performance work.

 

At the same time, because of this, I stupidly decided to enter a drag competition. With A LOT of help from friends, who did my makeup, hair, styling, the works I ended up becoming Miss Trafalgar Square at Pride 2016. That was the moment I realised how much I loved it.”

 

What would you say your persona brings to drag culture?

“I don’t know, and I am not sure I care. (Is that bad?!?!?) I perform as Jezabelle because I want to. I hope I bring a sense of where Drag comes from. I try to be referential and forward thinking. Hopefully I bring a sense of our underground past where, as a marginalised and hated community, we nurtured each other and created weird, wonderful, sexy hilarious artists.

Oh! And just a hot steamy load of Glam Slaggery!”

 

What are the reasons you do drag?

 

“There are two main reasons I do drag… Growing up the men in my life were unanimously total fucking pricks! But the people in my life who were strong, stable, loving, nurturing, hardworking, brave and reliable were all women. The women in my life were also always glamorously dressed, doing fabulous things, looking beautiful, so as I grew up (and to this day) I admire women and femininity and reject masculinity. I love women and am inspired by them constantly. Men I just want to fuck.

 

 Again, growing up, I was bullied for being an effeminate boy. Before I even knew what sex or sexuality was I was being called gay by kids and adults alike. The way I walk/talk/gesticulate/my interests/style were all things to belittle and mock me for and for a long time I couldn’t understand it. But, the things that people laugh at Jed for are the things they celebrate about Jezabelle! Through her I turn my “weaknesses” into my strengths! As I have gotten to know her better the two personas have really helped mould each other.”

 

          

Why do you think drag is so important right now within this era? I.e. Artistic landscape, Political Attitudes, Current events

 

“I think it’s a fab example of a community that has for so long been marginalised, hated, down trodden and forgotten. But despite all that we created our own culture, our own art. We nurtured it, we developed it, we celebrated it. We embraced gender, sexuality, people outside the norm despite a vast majority being so against us. So now that these conversations are finally being had much more openly people look to it as an example of the fact that we are valuable members of society, we bring you art, humour, fashion, and community. Look at what we can achieve and look how fabulous it is. We have something to offer to and we have done it with love, pride, community spirit and without ‘your’ help.”

What are your opinions on transgender and gender issues within drag culture? E.g female drag artists

 

“I am in a really difficult place with this topic. And I think I have a lot of mixed feelings and opinions.

 

 One of the things I really love about drag is its heritage. Men fought, and in many cases, died for the freedom to don a dress and wig and heels and makeup but women could always walk down the street in a dress, heels, makeup. These men developed drag for themselves, to experience liberation and freedom and be who they wanted to be. I admire the work that women in this field do, as artists I think they are AMAZING. However, the title Drag Queen is a badge of honour to the men that call themselves that, it is our legacy, a history of fighting and therefore I think we need to find a different title for the women who work within this world. Of course Drag Kings have also earned their title and have been part of that battle right beside Drag Queens from the beginning.”

 

What are your future aspirations within drag?

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“I hope, to just keep doing what I’m doing now. But with bigger crowds, bigger budgets, bigger pay cheques. Eventually I would love to find a platform and share my beliefs with people. I mean who doesn’t want to be interviewed by Holly and Philip?!?!?!?”

 

With the rise of popularity of drag, what efforts could be done to ensure drag stays true to its roots?

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“The truth is I just don’t know. I definitely don’t think it is a bad thing that it moves away from its routes. Art should always develop and grow and reflect what people are thinking and feeling now. Young marginalised people have their own different battles to fight today and if they use Drag to fight them then of course it will change. I just hope that they remember where it started and are grateful for it. Plus there will always be some Queen with one foot in the past doing an Abba tribute and I Love her!”