We recently connected with Jackie O’Nasty and have shared our conversation below.

Jackie , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Before the pandemic I was about 4 years into my drag career and when I look back on some of the costumes and props I made for my acts and I do cringe a little bit. They were usually made out of very cheap materials and held together with duct tape or hot glue. My mindset was very much of quantity over quality and I was driving myself into burnout without even realizing it because I thought I was running out of time. Time for what, I’m still not sure. Maybe running out of time to distinguish myself among my peers? However once quarantine began and every show was put on hiatus I was forced to slow down. I was forced to take a break and thats when I started learning more and more about historical costuming. I began doing more and more research on different sewing techniques, the evolution of style and how major historical events effected dress. I consequently developed a deep love of history I had not had before. It inspired me to take on a project I always wanted to complete but knew I would get too caught up or frustrated to finish (until we were all house bound, that is). I wanted to create a historically accurate 18th century robe a la francaise gown, including undergarments. It took a lot of time and I grew a LOT of patience during that time period but I finished it. I slowly began to realize that I could channel this inspiration into my drag and make it something truly special. And it was then that I finally found a style that finally felt right. It felt truer to me than anything I had ever done and it distinguished myself to the person who ultimately mattered most; me. All in a silly little dress!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I began doing drag after I came out as a trans man as a way of reconciling my own femininity versus my gender expression. (I typically dress more or less like Kurt Cobain in everyday life) It became an outlet for every different type of medium that I enjoyed. I fully developed my style in my 6th year of doing drag as a campy drag queen with a twisted sense of humor and a penchant for historical references. I enjoy more than anything making people laugh and telling a story with my drag. I’ve always wanted to create productions rather than just numbers.

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 think one of the best things I’ve ever learned is that you will have imposter syndrome once in awhile at EVERY stage of your career. It was somewhat refreshing to learn that performers I idolized as being perfectly polished and together, still had days where they felt like their success was a fluke. But its not! We all deserve the good things that happen to us.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

It was more like I had to learn to trust my gut. When I finally discovered a frag style that made me truly happy I think that people could really see it and it made me a better entertainer. Its always always better to give what you want to give rather than what you think people want from you.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @thejackieonasty
• Twitter: @ohitsjackieo

Image Credits
Kriz Moreno Seraphim Art