Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tara Ashleigh Austin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tara Ashleigh , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

One of the best lessons I love to share with people is not letting your ego hold you back from your path in life. In 2016 I was a successful drag queen in the game for 16 years. I was hosting Rehoboth Beach, Delaware’s longest running and most popular show every Sunday at The Purple Parrot, performing all over the place from Philly to DC and I chose to give it all up. I retired from my post as show host and gave up drag all together. I did this for 2 reasons. One, I was burnt out. I had been performing every Sunday for almost 9 years. I rarely missed my show because it was somewhat cathartic, and I loved the stage. It was also at a bar which meant I was hammered, A LOT, and I needed a break from that. Two, because I wasn’t out to my family as a drag queen. I was barely out to them as gay for that matter. I remember in the earlier years of having my show which was one of 3 that I had produced in my 16 years, how I would feverishly untag myself from photos and videos of myself in drag on Facebook the day after. I was so afraid of people finding out about something that I had been so successful at. So I gave it up. I had been working out with a trainer on the tail end of my tenure as the emcee at the Parrot and that caused my body to bulk up, and I grew my beard all the way out for the first time ever. Around that time I also started new business as an interior designer and continued my career as a hairstylist. It wasn’t until 2019 when I threw a huge bash to celebrate my businesses success that I would return to my days of gracing the stage. For the party I decided to have a drag show that I would come out of retirement to host. I would don my wigs, costumes and high heels for what I thought was dipping my toe in the waters again. This dip turned into a full plunge. What I realized when I started performing again was that I was looking at drag with a new set of eyes. I would add all of my inspiration from being an interior designer into my art as a drag queen and performer making my character leaps and bounds above what I was doing before. Looking back, I’m glad I took a break. It gave me a chance to miss drag and to love the person behind the art form, but I definitely wish I had come back sooner. When I did return I was so much more confident in my art as a drag queen. I didn’t care who knew, and I was so much more open about my craft. Now I get to pass all this knowledge to the younger me’s that I see out on the wild.

Tara Ashleigh , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

At 21 years old I was spending my weekends with friends at clubs and bars. One weekend in particular we were at the now closed Renegade, a place we frequented most weekends especially for the drag show. The host of the show spotted me dancing with friends on the stage in the middle of the floor, grabbed me and pulled me to the side to say she had noticed how great my dancing was and that I should consider drag. She asked if I’d be interested in doing an amateur show and the rest is history. From there I went on to perform at that bar and many other venues. Fast forward to today, my drag character developed into a “Rich Auntie” with luxurious taste and unmatched style. I’m still performing but on a much larger scale, taking bookings all over the country and producing and emceeing some of the most unique events. I use my online platform to teach other drag queens, artists, cosplayers and anyone else who wants to learn how to style synthetic wigs, dress to impress, and apply makeup like a boss. I released an ebook on wig styling, where I share all tips and tricks from a 20 plus year career as a hairstylist. I also share my favorite makeup, fashion, and hairstyles and how to create stylish looks for any occasion. I make music, checkout “Synthetic Wigs” available on all streaming platforms. My brand promotes self love, self expression, and living outside of the box that society likes to fit us all into. In the future I look forward to creating and sharing my own beauty products, and wigs. I have to say I’m most proud of being able to give back to younger artists and the versions that I see of me from my early days starting out.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

As a natural born creative I thrive on creating in general. In the past I’ve created multimedia canvas art, furniture, sculptures, bespoke wall coverings and wall murals for clients. As a hairstylist I’ve created thousands of new and interesting looks for clients, and as a personal stylist I’ve curated stunning looks that make my people feel confident. These days the bulk of my creating is costumes and stylish looks for my community on social media and patrons at shows and events. The common denominator for all of these things is seeing the reaction to something I’ve created. I spend hours making costumes and wearing them the first few times is an absolute rush! Seeing that first hand reaction is a driving force in my creative process. The smiles, the gasps, the laughs, I love it all. My love of performing is also very rewarding. Being able to express myself on stage is a feeling that will never get old. Seeing the joy that I bring to peoples faces in real time is something that’s hard to beat.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to relay a message to everyone that comes in contact with my content that it’s ok to be you. It’s ok to wear what makes you the feel the most confident. As someone that’s non-binary there isn’t a a style of clothing that I don’t feel comfortable in. I wear everything from 3 piece suits to gowns to wigs and I love the way I look in all of it. My wish is that everyone feels confident enough on the inside to wear what they want on the outside. Be you, because there’s only one person that can do what you do the way that you do it. Besides everyone is already taken.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://TaraAshleighAustin.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taraashleighaustin
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/91ystCPBTuwZgQev/?mibextid=kFxxJD

Image Credits

Keenon Mann , Cecile Storm