Featured Queen: Anïsa Poison

David Rodriquez is a Californian drag queen in his early twenties, living in Los Angeles. He started doing drag about six months ago after discovering his passion for makeup. Read Anïsa's Q&A below.

When did you start doing drag?

I'm pretty new to the drag community. I'm about 6 months to the day of doing drag for the first time.

What inspired you to start doing drag?

In my early teens I discovered that makeup was a true of passion of mine. After graduating high school I attended esthetician school while freelancing as a makeup artist in the LA area. I'd sit in my room and watch youtube tutorials for hours on end and even interviewed with M.A.C. twice but was told I was to young at the time. I always did makeup on everyone but myself until one day I invited my bestfriend over to help me give drag a try.That's when I saw Her and fell in love with Anïsa. Up until then I didn't feel like I had been living a very artistically fulfilled life. Anïsa is my escape from the daily grind and she is the culmination of my creativity.

How does drag make you feel?

To me, drag is pure emotional bliss. Sure it's a painstaking process getting dressed up, but in that moment when I put on the finishing touches and look in the mirror, I am everything that I thought that I could never be. Drag is the "id" to my "ego." I am very soft spoken, a little shy, and I avoid attention at all costs. Anïsa commands your attention and lives center stage. Drag, to me, is power. It is strength. It is the artistic and emotional enrichment that I have always sought, but never had.

Who are your inspirations for your drag persona?

Anïsa's look is heavily inspired by Robin Antin and her influence she had on the world of girl groups. I was/am a HUGE Pussycat Doll fan. I loved the hair, I loved the burlesque inspired outfits, I loved the group dynamic, the dance moves, THE HAIR FLIPS... I was moved by their overall concept of being fierce, strong, sexy but still classy. Anïsa became the girl that I always wished I had seen in a girl group. Anïsa is just the perfect cocktail - 2 parts Pussycat Doll, 1 part Aubrey O'Day, with a garnish of Jennifer Lopez.

Who are your three all time favourite Queens?

1) Jackie Beat - She was my initial introduction to drag. I honestly didn't even know what drag was when I first saw her in Dirty Sanchez. Her look is so unique and unmistakeable. She's beautiful but a little scary at the same time, but just the right amount of both. That specific genre of music that she did just heralds me back to a really great time in my life, and I have so many fond memories attached to Jackie's voice and look.

2) Roxxxy Andrews - She looks absolutely flawless at all times. Her makeup is immaculate, her hair choices are always on point, and (like what I aspire to be) no matter where she goes, she's always the pretty one.

3)Joslyn Fox - I truly don't think she has a mean bone in her body. Her beauty wasn't limited to her outside (which was absolutely stunning by the way), but she is gorgeous inside as well. I don't believe in bashing any other queen just because their esthetic isn't my style. It takes all sorts to make a world, and it really takes variety to make our art continue to evolve. I think she embodied that value perfectly.

Do you have a specific look you like to go for, or does your look vastly vary?

If Anïsa is not a part of a competition that involves her stepping out of her comfort zone to create a themed look she's very consistent with her style and looks - quality over quantity. I know what I like to see and I want to perfect that.

What would be your ultimate ambition you would like to achieve through drag?

In all honesty, I'm not completely sure what my ultimate goal is at this point. I'm just content with honing my skills, and perfecting my vision. I can venture a guess and say that I would love to someday form a drag "girl group," but that is so far in the distance that right now it is just a fantasy.

Do you perform in drag?

At this point I do not perform out. I have no aversion to the gay community or to making a club appearance, but I feel I owe it to myself and anyone that is going to see me to be completely on point first.

What are some songs you would like to perform?

Though I don't perform now, I know what my go-to song would be: Lemonade by Danity Kane.

If you could only have 3 makeup products to do your complete drag makeup look for the rest of your life, what would they be?

I absolutely cannot live without these three items: Anastasia Beverly Hills concealer, Too Faced Bullet Proof Shadow Liner in Blackout, and ANY shade of nude lipstick. Anïsa loves to rock a nude lip.

What is your one favourite piece of fashion or accessory from your wardrobe?

This is an absolute no brainer. As much as I'd like to say it's my thigh high heels or one of my corsets…without a doubt my favorite fashion accessory are huge hoop earrings. They are my homage to Girlicious and they make me feel "fabulous" - like a basketball wife lol.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

In 5 years, I picture myself continuing to progress my career with L'Oreal. I have plans to be married to my boyfriend of 2 years. I dream of a beautiful comfortable life that I want to share with the right person. Drag will always continue to be part of my life, and in 5 years the world will already know who Anïsa is. Though drag may not be my sole income, I will always treat it like it was my profession.

What's your opinion on the recent increase in popularity of drag, due to things such as RuPaul's Drag Race?

I think the recent surge in popularity in drag is a beautiful thing. It's what got me interested in the art form. Drag's popularity is taking people from all walks of life that would have otherwise not even known what drag is and made them true fans of the art. However, I do feel that with the increase in popularity of anything - a tv show, music, a movement - it feels less special to those already invested in it. I hope the excitement of drag and what it is now continues to remain and doesn't fizzle like a typical trend.

Anything else we should know about your drag persona?

I am the adopted child of two old fashioned parents; a Cuban national that fled when Castro took over and a Netherland Dutch woman. They are both very conservative Catholic, Red, White, and Blue blooded Americans with whom I did not always get along. Our relationship was quite rocky for most of my teen years because they didn't understand who I was. They had difficulty coming to terms with my sexuality. It got to the point that I was even enrolled in conversion therapy. Those days are long gone. My parents are now my two biggest fans and supporters. My mother is always ready and willing to help me stitch together a costume and my father will shower me in his super sweet and innocent (and slightly dumfounded) compliments. My parents are Anïsa's backbone. Without them, Anïsa would just be David.

--------------------------Thank You To Anïsa's For This Q&A--------------------------

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