BABE #11: VENUS ENVY, Female Drag Queen

My purpose behind starting BWH was to (selfishly) educate myself about the vast array of career options in the world, while chatting with the ladies accomplishing them. When I recently learned that my college friend Kayla's sister is Orlando's premier female Female Impersonator (also known as a female drag queen, faux queen or bio queen,) I jumped at the opportunity to learn more. Having just recently attended my first drag show this summer (shoutout to Aqua in Key West,) I've realized that as a dancer and performer myself, I've been missing out on such an entertaining (and highly impressive) art form for years. Even more so, I never stopped to consider the fact that biological females might perform drag, too - why not? While working as a hostess, she got her start in drag at Pulse Nightclub, is currently seeking her Master's degree in mental health counseling, and hopes to specifically work with the LGBTQ+ community. I'm lowkey obsessed with her, and I think you will be, too. 

The Basics:

Hometown: Howell, NJ
Current city: Orlando, FL
Alma mater: University of Central Florida
Degree: B.S. in Psychology. I'm currently working on my Master's in Counselor Education.
Hustle: Female drag queen (also known as a faux queen or bio queen.)

The Interests:

Babe you admire + why?
Lady Gaga, because she’s everything.

Favorite fictional character + why?
Raven from Teen Titans. Growing up as a goth girl, she was always my favorite.

Three things we can always find in your fridge?
Iced coffee, Babybel cheese, and leftover Taco Bell.

Biggest beauty tip?
Makeup is an art form. Wear as much as you want.

Favorite place to shop?
Plato’s Closet.

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Gummy bears.

Must-have item in your purse:
Mace.

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The Hustle:

Tell us about your current hustle:
I started doing drag as a hobby when I worked at Pulse before the tragedy, but now that I’m not working as much, it has become a source of income. I perform all over Orlando and have recently started traveling the country with We Are Orlando, a tour put on by former Pulse entertainers. Proceeds from these shows are given to the Pulse Orlando employee fund.

What does your typical workday look like?
When you’re a drag queen, there’s really no such thing as a "workday." I’ll usually spend about a week planning each show - choosing my song(s) and making a mix, planning the costume and putting it together, learning my words, and coming up with choreography if needed. On show nights, I usually spend 2-3 hours getting ready and 3-5 minutes on stage. After the show, I like to mingle with the audience, take pictures, and hang out with the other queens until it’s time to go home.

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When did you first become interested in drag and how'd you get your start in it?
I’ve loved drag ever since I was about 14 years old. I have no idea how I got into it, since this was before RuPaul’s Drag Race was on the air, but I idolized drag queens growing up and I always wanted to be as beautiful and glamorous as they were. When I was 18, I googled “can girls be drag queens?” and learned about faux drag (also known as bio drag). I tried it for myself, failed miserably, and didn’t come back to it until a few years later, when I was already accepted as a part of the drag scene in Orlando through friends and my job. My first time performing in drag was a little over a year ago, in the Twisted Tuesday Talent Show at Pulse. I haven’t stopped performing since.

What has been your most memorable moment as Venus Envy?
Last New Year’s Eve, I performed at Funky Monkey, a restaurant on International Drive. It was my first time performing for an all-ages audience. After the show, a little girl came up to me and asked if I was a “real girl." Not knowing what to expect, I told her I was. She smiled real big and told me that she wants to be a drag queen when she grows up, too!

Favorite part about your job?
Entertaining. I love being on stage and expressing myself in ways that I never could without drag.

Least favorite part about your job?
Sometimes I come across people who don’t understand or respect what I do because I’m a woman. That sucks, but it comes with the territory and at least it gives me the opportunity to expose people to a new style of drag.

Which famous drag personalities do you most admire?
Chad Michaels, India Ferrah, Danielle Hunter, and Coco Peru. (They're Babes Who Hustle.)

How would you sum up your time spent at Pulse as a patron and employee?
The time I spent at Pulse was the best time of my life. I loved my job, and I loved my coworkers. There was such a strong sense of family and community.

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In working towards your Master's in mental health counseling, what are your goals for the field?
I decided to major in counseling after graduating with a degree in psychology and realizing I couldn’t do much with it. I chose counseling over similar fields, because I like working with people directly and there is a lot you can do with the degree. I hope to open my own practice one day, and work specifically with the LGBTQ+ community. Until then, I plan on becoming a middle school counselor.

Any funny or embarrassing moments on the job?
Now that I’m doing drag more throughout the week, I’ve had to start going to class in full makeup. It happens once every couple weeks, and even though it’s kind of uncomfortable, my professors and classmates don’t seem to mind.

What motivates you every day?
Drag has always been my dream job, so that’s all the motivation I need to continue with it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t make enough to pay the bills right now, so that’s why I continue to pursue education and work toward an alternate career as well.

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Follow
Venus Envy!

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

See her live!

We Are Orlando Tour
Friday, September 23rd @ 10p.m.
Flamingo Resort
St. Petersburg, Florida

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This interview has been condensed and edited.