We were lucky to catch up with TAYLOR ALXNDR recently and have shared our conversation below.

TAYLOR, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

Both of my parents are incredibly hard workers. In fact, my entire family is known for their dedication and hard work. My father often worked 2 to 3 jobs throughout my entire childhood. My grandfathers were businessmen, who worked hard to provide for their families and create generational wealth. My mother had a phrase she would always tell me when I was younger. She said “Never half ass anything.” I really took that to heart and I think I apply that to every aspect of my life. It’s why I work so hard and never produce anything that I’m not fully proud of.

TAYLOR, 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?

I am a full-time drag, entertainer, musician, and community organizer. Since moving to Atlanta in 2011 to go to school, I have really worked hard to establish myself in multiple different areas of creative expression.

First came music. I’ve always been musically inclined, and always wanted to produce and perform my original music. It was a passion of mine that I didn’t really know what to do with until I moved to the city and saw the burgeoning underground music scene. In 2012, I started performing in drag, and that unlocked a new era of passion and artistic expression for me. I started to combine my drag with my live music career.

As a community organizer, I began working with different activism groups when I was in college. In 2014, along with a few of my close friends, we started Southern Fried Queer Pride, which has grown into a nonprofit organization that works at the intersection of activism and the arts.

Annually with drag, I perform, host, and produce over 200 shows a year. In 2019 I started my own drag family and events hub called House of ALXNDR Over the last decade, I’ve also released music, resulting in three EPs. They have gotten both local and international press and attention. My music has also allowed me to tour across the country, opening for major pop musicians like Charli XCX and King Princess. I’m currently working on my debut album.

I’m really proud of my ability to not only produce quality art and content, but also to work in a way where I am bringing together so many diverse and unique communities. Really at the core of everything that I do is community and highlighting various identities that I inhabit, as well as that are reflected in the people around me. I’m also very consistent and that has been a blessing in the ever so changing world of Atlanta.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I truly feel that society at large looks at the arts, entertainment, and creative industries as non-lucrative or as hobbies. I don’t think people really understand how necessary and important the arts are. We need creatives and the arts just as much as we need doctors and lawyers and more tactile jobs. I think this idea that creatives in the arts are less than leads to less funding from the top down, which results in multiple different industries discrediting or devaluing the arts. It’s why our music venues that are more small and independent are closing down. That’s why so many different arts institutions and community art centers are faltering. It also keeps performers and other creators accepting low paying gigs or doing things for “exposure”. I think that’s a major thing that needs to shift in society for the arts to be respected and paid for what they’re worth.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I’m truly in a love-hate relationship with social media. I feel like currently the amount of time and energy you put into social media doesn’t always come back to you. Luckily, I have been involved in social media since the days of MySpace, and have amassed a following that has followed me from platform to platform. I tend to be very open and honest on social media, often showing behind-the-scenes work of how I create music, the backstage aspects of drag, and so much more. I am not concerned with curating a social media identity that is not true to who I truly am. I think that’s what people are drawn to with my social media. I think that’s what you still have to do in order to build an audience. The algorithm will always change, depending on who’s controlling it but no matter what you put out, let it be honest and of quality.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.tayloralxnd.com/
• Instagram: instagram.com/tayloralxndr
• Facebook: facebook.com/tayloralxndr
• Twitter: twitter.com/tayloralxndr
• Youtube: youtube.com/thetayloralxndr