We recently connected with Starlette and have shared our conversation below.
Starlette, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
My journey to learning more about Drag and the history of Drag began in 2020 during COVID. Looks aside, Drag Queens are such an important pillar to the LGBTQIA+ community and in the entertainment industry. Drag queens have a rich history of challenging norms and celebrating diversity everyday.
I had been living in Louisville for two years at this point and we were all experiencing COVID. I was getting bored, and decided to channel my energy to learning something new. I had binge watched all of RuPaul’s Drag Race and was just in awe of how all these Queens did their makeup, and so differently too, I told myself that I could do what they do.I had basic knowledge of how to do makeup, but I did not expect how challenging and difficult learning how to do Drag makeup.
Before I officially started performing and getting booked for shows, there was a massive learning curve that happened during COVID when it came to learning about makeup and drag makeup, two VERY different styles, I was excited to learn and likely spent a good 50 hours, maybe more, learning how to reconstruct my face with makeup. I went through this journey of learning about my skin, what products worked and what didn’t work, and a lot of YouTube videos of drag and non drag makeup artists. Being able to do make up is a SKILL., and a skill that is continuously improving.
Make up to me was the biggest challenge and all those hours of shaving, applying Elmer’s glue to block my brows hundreds of times paid off.. Once I felt confident about my drag make up, I turned my focus to the easiest part, the clothes, heels, jewelry, nails and the hair. I think the reason why I love Drag so much is that I can change my look to whatever it is I am feeling that day or for a show. I continuously strive to elevate my looks and my performances for appearances and shows. My current focus at the moment, has been learning how to style my own wigs and making my own clothes. Another set of skills to add to the resume, sewing and wig styling.
Starlette, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Starlette was conceptualized and born through a series of amateur charity drag shows held by our city’s local LGBTQIA+ kickball league, at the end of each season. As a means of community outreach, we would piece together a show comprised of kickball players from the local league to raise money for the Louisville Youth Group (LYG), a nonprofit organization that creates a safe and healthy space for LGBTQ+ youth through various programs. As a participant—and eventual organizer and host of the charity show for multiple seasons—it was important for me to create a fun, yet impactful charity show to raise funds for an organization that helps the next generation of LGBTQ+ youth. To improve attendance and participation (and subsequently increase donations), it occurred to me that I would have to take my drag more seriously for the sake of visibility of the charity show. In other words, I thought that if I elevated my artistry and molded my drag persona into a popular and respectable local drag queen, more individuals would be inclined to attend, participate, and donate.
I was already a familiar face amid the nightlife in Louisville before Starlette, and for this reason (among many others) I would say that my drag-journey was a unique experience. However, that familiarity I experienced left me feeling as though I would struggle to have my drag taken seriously at times. Often enough we see new faces attempt to break into the local drag industry, but end up quitting because they find it difficult to do so. When I was learning about what it takes to be a drag queen, initially, I was just having fun with it. Eventually I realized that I had to lay the ground work so that I wouldn’t encounter the feelings of discouragement that others have experienced. I quickly discovered that getting to know the other drag queens, the show directors/organizers, local bar owners, and managers takes a lot of networking and socializing. I guess it’s ironic that the familiarity I thought would hinder me actually helped me in the end.
It was exciting being the new local drag sensation, because Starlette essentially came out of nowhere, but was popping up EVERYWHERE. I was, for lack of better word, hustling the night life. If I could get a hotspot gig (meaning that there wasn’t a booking fee), but you performed for tips, I would take it. It was added exposure, after all. I wasn’t doing drag to make money; rather my goal was to get my name out there in time for the next charity drag show held by our kickball league. Consequently, I was able to perform outside of the charity drag shows. Eventually I was able to acquire various types of bookings, for drag brunches, special events at bars and restaurants, and even private events within months of my last charity drag show. I would frequently ask myself, “What do I want to aspire to do with my drag?” In time I concluded that I needed to establish goals for myself for whatever direction I wanted to take my drag.
I’m most proud of performing at so many different venues and have performed in several different theatrical productions, as well as in the Kentuckiana Pride and Louisville Pride. When you come to see Starlette, expect charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent. I’m most known for the upbeat, high energy music I perform, my looks and being incorporating a little voguing and splits into my performances. I have some so much in just my first year alone, and this year I intend on expanding and performing in other cities.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
As an entertainer, I want people to have fun and enjoy themselves, that’s why they’re at a drag show. Being a creative drag queen, performer, and entertainer is a multifaceted journey that intertwines artistry, self-expression, and community impact
For me, it has been a means for authentic self-expression and empowerment: the stage becomes a sacred space where they can fully embrace their authentic selves. The transformative power of drag allows them to shed societal norms, gender constraints, and inhibitions.
As a performer, I’ve crafted my persona to reflect my innermost desires, fears, and aspirations. Whether channeling glamour, comedy, or political commentary, I find liberation in being able to just perform to the music that I am feeling. The applause, cheers, and love from an audience affirm their journey. It’s not just about makeup and costumes; it’s about reclaiming identity, celebrating queerness, and empowering others to do the same.
I love sharing my drag experiences, even with those whose first time at a show and I always strive for their first experience to be a positive and fun one. I find seeing people truly enjoying themselves, singing along or dancing as very rewarding and fulfilling. There’s a lot going on in the world, let’s escape and have a good time, even if it’s for 5 minutes.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I don’t think it can be overstated enough that the arts and their respective communities are under constant attack by the conservatives. What we’ve witnessed in the last three decades is the constant pressure art programs in public schools have been struggling with, mainly funding, and even see their funding taken away. Most relevant to my life as a performer is the flurry of political bills being thrown (no pun intended) in Republican legislatures to ban drag shows, citing them as abominations and a danger to communities.
If we want to foster supportive environments that would allow artists and creatives to flourish, we first need to discard this notion that the arts aren’t worth the funding they receive. The arts have a tendency to unify our communities and they improve our wellbeing, including mental health—something we all need in this crazy world we live in. The arts also strengthen our local economies and are a driving force for tourism and revenue. Students that engage in the arts are also more likely to have higher GPAs than those students that don’t, statistically speaking or so I’ve heard. Lastly, the arts spark creativity and innovation, two skills that can be applied to many areas of life. There is not a single con that outweighs the collective pros of funding the arts.
The second thing we can do to foster those supportive environments, is quit electing politicians that couldn’t color inside the lines if they were asked to, to determine how our tax dollars are spent and which special interests they funnel that money to. We are constantly seeing in news and the media how much of our tax dollars our government spends on military defense. But sure, the arts shouldn’t be funded because it’s not important – yet – American culture has evolved and it is what it is today because of the arts.
The last thing individuals can do to foster those supportive environments, and perhaps the most simple, is just show up and lend your support to the arts. For some that looks like showing up to a performance, a gallery, an arts festival, a drag show, or a concert. For others it looks like engaging your community and encouraging your peers to participate in the arts. Regardless of how participation in the arts looks for you, participation is the key. If we want artists and creatives to feel supported in their contributions to our communities, we need to be visible in some way. That’s how we foster those supportive environments
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @callherstarlette
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088167113890&mibextid=dGKdO6
- Twitter: @sheisstarlette
Image Credits
Kentuckiana Pride Foundation (ice skating) Josh Astor (yellow costume, purple costume)