Sasha Velour Just Wants to Be an Example of 'Drag Excellence'
The 2019 Out100 honoree discusses how her 2020 ended up.
Sasha Velour had a hell of a 2020 planned -- didn't we all. Before we were all essentially benched, the RuPaul's Drag Race season 9 winner had a theater tour that would kick off across Europe (she'd already done a successful leg in the U.S.) and was about to make her debut as an executive producer with her Quibi show NightGowns. She undoubtedly had other plans brewing in that ever working brain of hers -- particularly given that 2020 marked the fifth year anniversary of her drag revue NightGowns, which inspired the show of the same name -- but with lockdown she found herself, like most of us, spending a lot of time at home behind a computer screen.
But don't be mistaken, the 2019 Out100 honoree still got some things done. She's been speaking out as she's known to do, and releasing merchandise that's benefitted various community organizations. Also before it got closed midway through its U.K. tour, her show Smoke & Mirrors was seen by over 10,000 people. She also released a zine, and held a virtual five-year anniversary for NightGowns called NightGowns Forever that raised $17,000 for Black, trans-led organizations. (She also did a bit of housework). But with the year coming to a close, and the next group of Out100 inductees about to be named, we asked "The Conceptualist" as we dubbed her, to reflect on the insanity that was this year.
I think the best place to start is a bit of a social-media inspired question, given this moment in culture. Riffing off of the "how it started, and how it ended" meme, I would love to hear about how you imagined this year to go when we started it, and how things ended up?
I rang in 2020 hosting NightGowns for a packed audience, wearing my best fake diamonds and shouting "this is gonna be our year, everybody!" I was headed out to perform my show Smoke & Mirrors for sold-out audiences at the London Palladium and at Paris' Folies Bergeres and my first TV show as executive producer was about to drop... it was a huge moment! I was very excited but also very very nervous, and to be honest, my imposter syndrome kept me so strung out for the first 3 months that I can barely remember it! Nothing quite went the way it was planned, which turned out to be empowering in a way, because I feel even more appreciative for what did happen. I did get to perform at the London Palladium and it is one of the proudest achievements of my entire life. NightGowns received some great reviews and feedback, and our cast of artists has grown stronger and closer. Even the unexpected things had their upsides...I'm sick and tired of the cliche "I'll never forget to value family time again" thing but there's something to be said for spending all day in bed watching TV with my fam!
We've seen inarguably more drag TV shows this year than ever before, and that's not counting all of the digital stuff as a result of the pandemic. What is it like to be a performer in this moment and also what is it like to be someone behind their own show?
Yes, I love seeing more drag on TV! I now know for sure that we make the best makeover gurus, campy reality TV characters, and glorified extras! (Just kidding just kidding!) But I do feel like drag artists still need to carve out a space for ourselves as the independent thinkers and true radicals we always have been! Drag is something really unique and I think it's actually much more provocative and inclusive than what you can see on TV or even social media. As a creator, I want my work to be an example of that kind of drag excellence, made by drag artists without heavy-handed production teams or direction. It's hard work! There are no shortcuts to creating something very genuine, it just takes lots sweat and maybe some tears, but hey that's my idea of a good time!
That said, sadly Quibi shuttered this year after renewing Nightgowns for season 2. Should we expect NightGowns the TV show or docuseries to make a return? Is there any way season 1 will be reposted somewhere given Quibi's demise?
It was such sad news. But without any shade to Quibi (because we are truly indebted to their support), I fully think NightGowns would have been on TV without them, and we will be again! In the short 5 years that I've hosted and produced NightGowns, we've outlived several venues, many drag careers, and every single naysayer! That's just drag, and luckily we are in it for the long haul!
What was the best thing you saw this year in the world of drag?
The best thing I saw this year was a serious reckoning around racism and corruption in gay nightlife spaces. There have been a lot of shady figures who control access to space and money, and it's time to get rid of them! The only drag tradition we need to honor is the one about rebelling against oppression, and sometimes that means looking at ourselves and our environments and making big changes. It's been a good year for that, and I'm sure there's more to come...
I saw that you and Peppermint were looking to do some speaking for colleges and did a workshop. Can you speak a little to what the aim is there and whether we can expect to see Sasha the educator more in 2021?
My brilliant friend Peppermint and I put together a conversation about gender, identity, and making space for ourselves and each other! It honestly grew out of our friendship that began on RuPaul's Drag Race, and the way-too-deep conversations we always get into when have dinner together every couple of months! Education is shifting a lot, and we thought a personal conversation between two drag queens like us is EXACTLY the kind of thing that students need more of!
What was the biggest thing you've learned this year?
You cannot plan anything! So just try to make the most of what you've got, and fully enjoy whatever you are doing
This story is one in a series looking back at Out100 2019 honorees as we prepare to announce the Out100 2020 list. Stay tuned for covers, names, as well as details about the first-ever Out100 Live virtual event, all coming soon.
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