Hanging up the Heels: an exit interview with Champagne Showers

Executive Director of PhillyGayCalendar

Describe your drag experience in one tweet or less… Always bonus points for using #
Considering my life up until drag, this would make sense: What was I afraid of? #unexpected #wokeuponedaydecidedtododrag #teambooked #catfish

Do you remember the day you decided to start drag? What brought it on?
This is actually an excellent question because it wasn't a decision that came out of deep, intellectual thought; or even years of theater or makeup. I was at Drag Wars and I was watching Lazanya, who I adore, and it was the Christmas show and the exact moment was when I realized that she had padded with plastic bags and did a wonderful Grinch performance. My drag mother is Aurora Whorealis, and she and I were talking during the show and I kind of made the comment, "Oh, I could do this!" And she was like, "CAN I BE YOUR DRAG MOTHER?" And that was really the conception of Champagne. Like most children, she was conceived after a night of too many cocktails and the thought, "why not?" "Why not," is how I typically end up in unexpected situations.

What was your most memorable or favorite look for Champagne?
I think my most memorable look, for me, was the time I got Zsa Zsa St. James to paint me for the Witches' Ball which was Drag Wars, last Halloween. It was really the first, and one of the only times, I've ever been fishy or exceptionally feminine. There's something really beautiful about having another queen paint your face. Invariably, you end up learning something about technique or seeing something in your face that you didn't know was there. Up to that point, I didn't know I could be pretty in that way. I think for everyone else, my most memorable look was when I went angler fish a few weeks ago for Miss Everything. Nothing says WOMAN like extra long lashes, horns, and an exceptionally large mouth, full of razor sharp teeth. 

  

If you could change one thing about the drag community what would it be and why?
One of the biggest draws to the drag community was the diversity and abundance of "sisterhood." On the surface, its like a big family. Once you scratch that surface, its really just a business and I think that was something I didn't really quite anticipate. I have been really fortunate to have drag as a hobby, so I never relied on tips, fans, or a big social media presence. Fame was never my intent but I think for so many queens it is because drag is their livelihood. In that regard, I really only ever did what I wanted and while I appreciated the critique, I ended up shrugging off a lot of it (I've had some really harsh things thrown my way). I wish more of the community were able to have the kind of fun with drag that I had. I never had to be shady, if I couldn't do a show I'd send recommendations for other performers to fill my spot, and I never expected tips or a booking fee because I never needed it; I was just happy to be a part of something. I was fortunate enough for that and I think that's why Champagne was able to blossom the way she did. I think my fans enjoyed the ride and I look forward to seeing what comes out of the community next.

Any chance of a "for real this time, farewell" farewell tour?
It's unlikely that I'd bring Champagne back. I feel like I'm stepping out at a good time and I was able to accomplish what I had set out to and then some. 

Catch Champagne's final performance, October 28th at Front Street Dive when they present Devil Drag: A Halloween Freak Fest!


Photo by: Gypsy Hill

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