FEATURED QUEEN: IRIDESCENT

Iridescent is a 21 year old queen from San Antonio, Texas. Iridescet started doing drag in May of 2014.

What inspired you to start doing drag?

I never though I would do drag to be honest. It wasn't until I started going to shows that I caught the bug. I realized I could turn myself into a full art piece; to become "a straight man's dream:" big boobs, big lips, big hips,blonde, dumb, and pretty. I like to balance on the edge of being sexy and being a cartoon.

How does drag make you feel?

In pain! (Jk) No, I feel very glam! I feel like art! I love feeling like a living breathing painting. I like the idea that Ira doesn't exist in a bubble on say a tv or web show. I like that people can see me on stage in performance mode and come up to me afterwards and interact with me.

Who are you inspirations for your drag persona?

I'm inspired by a lot of different people such as Jayne Mansfield, Bette Midler, Mae West, Divine, Sweet Savage, Kennedy Davenport, Katya, Rosie The Robot, The Stepford Wives, Althea Trix, Kristi Waters, and Lady Gaga

Who are your three all time favourite Queens?

Sweet Savage, Kristi Waters, Althea Trix. They are all very visual. Their performances are EVERYTHING! The fact that I can call them my friends is UNREAL.

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

I like to think i'm the chameleon of drag; I can

do camp, I can do glam, and I'm not afraid to do ugly. My ideal image is retro futuristic robot mistress but until I can afford fully custom couture my look is very fishy. I like to look like a biological woman in a cartoon by wearing solid bright colors and form fitting outfits

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

I want to be in movies and tv shows! I want to tour the world! I want to model for fasion magazines and walk runways! I want to be a household name, and I want to help erase the stigma we face as entertainers; that what we do isn't dirty: it's theatre!

Do you perform in drag?

I perform at club Essence in SA every Tuesday at midnight and The Heat un SA every Thursday at 11 and Sunday at 11:30! I usually end up doing more shows as they come up so just check my insta! (If you like me, tell your clubs!!! I love out of town gigs!!!)

What are some of your favourite songs to perform?

Anything by Lady Gaga!!! She is my biggest idol and I know every song of hers like the back of my hand! "Venus" is one of my go to songs. I also have a mix I love doing with "A Deeper Love," "How Deep is Your Love," "100% Pure Love," and "Be My Lover!"

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 and why?

Foundation, highlight powder, and a mid tone brown. It is always good to have a good foundation for your canvas. I love a strong highlight so i'd definitely need that, and a mid tone brown because I can contour as well as darken the pigment for my eyes to look like eyeliner or "natural" shadows.

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

Definitely my spongebob leotard! I have a matching mini skirt and gloves! It always makes people smile and it's what most people remember me for!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

I will be top three on Rupaul's Drag Race season 9 and Miss Gay US of A.

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

It's great exposure! More people than ever are interested in seeing drag shows! It's a good way to start a conversation about what we do to the main stream media. I do however think that because people only see certain queens on tv they only want to see "tv famous" queens and don't really support local talent.

Anything else we should know about Iridescent?

1): I legit am obsessed with iridescent things. I flip when I find dresses or shoes like that.

2): I've only been doing my makeup since January or February of 2015. (I had a drag mom that did everything for me but said I was dumb for some of the things I wanted

to do so I left after feeling depressed for months. I took a break, and now i'm back and better than ever and I even have a new amazing drag mother: Elizabeth Selmiro.

3): I love doing group numbers and performing with other artists!

4): I'm working on a new album!!!

5): I've never won a talent night.

6): I'm single (and you have to be amazing to change that 💅🏻)

7): I have already hosted three of my own shows.

8): I'm starting to make my own outfits!

9): I have a background in theatre that allows me to objectively critique myself.

10): I hate wearing hip pads, but I do anyway.

-----------------------------------Thank You To Iridescent For This Q&A--------------------------------------

Follow Iridescent on Social Media:

Soundcloud: Ira Descent

Periscope: Ira Descent