We recently connected with Arushus Coleman and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Arushus thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

As a black artist/creator, Its easy to be misunderstood and even be mischaracterized in the drag scene. Not everyone is the next best thing, and not everyone is a flop. Which opens the door to the term, all drag is valid. Which is True, But what is it if there isn’t any truth? I value myself for being very authentic and honest in the working scene. Thats taken as a threat because I am a leader. The public is aware of my fun and excited ness on stage but my coworkers know I run a tight ship to get things done! Which can come off as difficult, or being labeled problematic. Which are two words that could hurt any leading lady… But I’m a man. Its just that My drag character sometimes holds a little more weight and people don’t realize Im she and she is me.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

At the age of three I was bought my first drum set. That lead into singing in the elementary choir, participating in the school musicals, and eve going as far as to having outside performances from the school. I was very active in church, as I was one of the “leading” guys growing up. Meaning id be called to do everything that the adults DIDNT want to do, within reason. That led to me being a little more mature than most my age around me. In middle school I went to band and started to play snare drum. But then I heard the Trumpets and that’s what I wanted to play. From then on I picked up the Piano, Piccolo, flute, Baritone Horn, Alto Sax and Tenor Sax. Highschool came around and I was in Dance, Band, Choir, Drama Club, and Student Council. I started actually gigging around the city in my sophomore year. I continued to play these instruments and learn all that I could. Post high school I went to Arkansas for College and I was on a choir scholarship. In Late February my aunt who was like my best friend passed away from pancreatic cancer. I had just finished a test in speech and debate class where I was the only one to receive an A. I went to breakfast which was unusual and my phone rang and it was my mom telling me what happened. I went home and cried my eyes out. When I finsihed, I turned on Netflix, and There was the Legendary, Bianca Del Rio in the film hurricane Bianca. She ws a teacher, something I ws in school to be. I clicked the video from the thumbnail bc it just looked like a lady with big makeup on. Until I started watching and realized that’s what I wanted to do. I could sing, dance and act. All I needed was the hair the face and the clothes. My beginning was very rough. I started with Facepaints and Body paints, which don’t blend out like makeup. Thugh it was good, It was giving the essence of cartoon character instead of real person. Two years into trying stuff out, I realized I wanted to completely abandon that image and created the DIVA, Tiffany Skylark. Im an honest, talented, soul and a force to be reckoned with on stage. Im most proud of where I am today in my drag journey as its helped my phase of living twice! Drag has helped me n so many ways and just being able to connect with the audience on stage is the best gift of the night. When you see me, Its like none other you’ve ever seen before. My level of polish is unique. and my aura is CLASSY. Its never a dull time with Tiffany Skylark.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to Unlearn was, Not everyone wants to see you succeed. You would think that the people you work with and share brilliant ideas with would want to see it come into fruition with you and that’s not always the case. Sometimes it can be an outsider, but what makes matters worse is if it one of your closest friends or partners. When you are great, there is a stigma. When you are great and black, you have to try twice if not THRICE as hard to make your stamp and statement be heard.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I know from the outside looking in, It might be hard to wrap your mind around being a drag queen. There needs to be confidence, and a drive that cannot be taught. Actually, not taught by anyone else, but by yourself. Just dressing up takes gall, which is why halloween is so easy becuase its a day where the weird is the norm! But being able to bring your ideas out of your mind and onto your body or your face is the fun part. The rewarding part is being paid for your ideas. Drag allows me to do that every time I touch a stage. There are many clubs and bars and even business in your local area that would love to have you. some even offer amateur or open stage nights. As a show director myself, I know someone is always looking to hire a creative soul!

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/calysesephora/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYlVkg5zu0Ukxfvxz7wld4Q
• Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tiffany.skylark?lang=en

Image Credits
Arushus M Coleman Tiffany E Skylark