We were lucky to catch up with Miss Uchawi recently and have shared our conversation below.

Miss, appreciate you joining us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

Many times when people read the words drag queen and magician in the same sentence the think camp. I am very camp, but not in the way people expect me to be. I continually get rabbit, top hat, and wand references. I know this may seem harmless but like every other artform in 2023, magic has evolved past its 1950s stereotype.

The same can be said for magicians when it comes to drag. They think of lady bunny and Miss Doubtfire.. Icons themselves, it vastly underrepresents the varieties and complexities of todays drag world.

Being misunderstood is something i am very good at doing it seems, but I have found the more i embrace it, and hold that power to myself, the more i flourish.

I have learned that if people misunderstand you, its simply because they have never met someone like you before.

and that is something to be proud about.

Miss, 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?

“Introducing the one and only, Miss Uchawi, formerly known as Kiki Uchawi, the reigning Queen of Illusion! This fashionable and fantastic performer made a name for herself in her hometown of Kansas City with her theatrical and tantalizing acts that leave audiences spellbound. With her specialties in tarot, hypnosis, mentalism, illusion and magic, Miss Uchawi is a versatile vixen who has dazzled crowds from every walk of life and graced tv screens during national commercials for google and TEDx events.

Dubbed as a ‘morphing magical poetic being,’ Miss Uchawi is a sassy, sparkling, and sensational icon who is leading the way for the LGBTQIA+ community with her fabulous approach to the mystic arts. This cabaret queen is the mother of the Haus of Uchawi and the daughter of RuPaul’s Drag Race star Kennedy Davenport. She is taking the globe by storm one rhinestone at a time while captivating hearts everywhere she performs.

From headlining at colleges, theatres, comedy clubs, television and mentoring young performers in Kansas City, Miss Uchawi is a veteran show producer, a Kansas City drag legend, and a national drag superstar who is not to be missed!”

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Miss Uchawi was born Feb 19th, 1994, as Trevor Brown in Kansas City, Missouri. From humble beginnings, born into a world of challenges, a magical queen emerged. Before being adopted by their aunt and uncle because of their biologicals mothers declining health and eventual death, they spent the first few years of their life in foster care.

Their early childhood was filled with many trips to their family hometown of Nacogdoches, Texas. When not in Texas they spent the school season in their original hometown of Independence, Missouri. At the age of 10 they saw their first magic show in Branson, MO. Their father, (who they were very close to) even participated in one of the illusions on stage. It was one of the most impactful and memorable experiences of their life.

Soon after things began to turn as their adopted parents divorced, their father died, and their mother became emotionally and physically abusive. Trevor suffered with extreme depression, harmful thoughts, bullying, and oppression from this traditionally religious household who did not support their dream to be a magician or their identity as a queer person. Eventually their adopted mother kicked them out of their childhood home once Trevor officially “came out of the closet”. Now homeless, but free to figure out their identity, They forever changed their name to Victor Le’Yon, put the past behind them, and set out to figure out the world.

Despite facing hardships and trauma early on in life, they found solace and passion in the art of magic and being able to embrace their identity as a non binary, queer person. This was the freedom they needed to finally chase their dreams of being in the spotlight. With hard work and determination, they honed their skills and rose from performing street magic to captivating audiences at top museums, colleges, and corporations.

Under the mentorship of Las Vegas resident “Bonnie Bitch” the world’s first and original “drag queen hypnotist”, Victor became inspired to do the same. Soon after Miss Uchawi was born, marking a new chapter in their journey of creativity, inspiration, and self-discovery. A true testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of one’s passion.”

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal in life ultimately is to bring back a cabaret style traveling circus.. Something intimate, lively, diverse, and cultured. I want to uplift artist like myself that live in strange intersections of multiple mediums and hopefully bring forth a new era in variety entertainment if I am able.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.missuchawi.com
• Instagram: @missuchawi
• Facebook: @missuchawi
• Twitter: @missuchawi
• Youtube: @missuchawi

Image Credits
Photos by Zanny Ex