Long Live the Queens
On March 2nd, 2023, Tennessee Senate Bill 3, also known as the "anti-drag bill," was passed banning public adult cabaret performances in front of children in the state of Tennessee. This was passed alongside separate legislation that bans transgender minors in Tennessee from receiving gender-affirming care like puberty blockers, hormones, and surgery. Drag is not just entertainment but gender expression for many to perform and celebrate their pride. The age-old art form has existed since Ancient Greece, so why take away such a vital part of history? To that, we say, 'Long Live the Queens.' Strike sat down with South Florida's very own Kat Wilderness, Ariel Rimm, and Aaliyah Jae to hear more about the ins and outs of the drag world…
How did you discover drag, and what led you to pursue a career in drag?
Aaliyah Jae: I discovered drag when I was 17. On the down low, I had been dating a guy for maybe a month; I was new to being gay, so I didn’t know much about the scene. Then, I started to go out more because of him and saw what the gay life in New York City was all about. I didn’t pursue drag until college when I did a turn-about pageant for fun and won! Tyra Sanchez (Rupaul Drag Race Season 2 winner) told me: “Girl, you got the stuff. You could do this for real if you wanted to.” I took that and ran with it. On my first night out in drag ever, I met Kat Wilderness. She had just started a couple of weeks prior, and the rest was HERstory (history).
Kat Wilderness: Before I started drag in high school, I was very heavily doing shows in the theater community, so performing has always been in my blood ever since I was little. After I graduated, I wanted to pursue a career in music, which led to me finding a local gay bar that had a talent night. I was going to use that opportunity to perform my music, but then that’s when I met my first drag queen. After that night, I researched everything I could about the drag world and fell in love!
Ariel Rimm: I believe that drag is innate for me. Even before I discovered what it was. Drag allowed me to take everything I had always hated about myself and taught me to celebrate everything I am. I learned to love and celebrate what made me unique, queer, and flamboyant. It also taught me how to be a better man. It came about in my early 20s as a way to still continue to be on stage following high school and wanting to continue to do theater. I never imagined it would literally become part of my soul. Now, I continue to do drag to express myself, to be an artist, to live creatively, and to be constantly inspired. I am happiest on stage under the spotlight, energized, invigorated, and electrified by the laughter and applause. In a world of chaos where individualism and self-expression are being attacked, I stand in the face of adversity armored in sequin and a wig and emphatically exclaim. I am proud and honored to be living the legacy of what it means to be a drag queen. DRAG IS NOT A CRIME!
Have you always felt accepted and supported in your decision to do drag? Tell us about that experience.
Aaliyah Jae: I felt supported by all my friends, but my family, not so much. But that’s what makes being gay and doing drag all worth it because we get to choose our family and feel the love and support we didn’t receive as children. My siblings and mom came around after a while when they realized I was good at it, but my dad still doesn’t know, and I’m okay with that.
Kat Wilderness: Thankfully, I’ve been lucky not to have any bad experiences in drag. Everyone has been supportive, and I’m very grateful for that because I know that’s not the same experience for other drag entertainers. Especially right now with everything going on in this country. We have to be aware, stand up, and protect our community now more than ever.
Ariel Rimm: I am extremely lucky to have the amount of support I have had throughout my entire life. I have an extremely loving and accepting family who has always supported me and the person I have chosen to be. I am also accepted and celebrated in my career outside of drag– working in the personal injury law field just shy of a decade. I cannot express how important it is to love and support anyone who is an individual and unique. I can express myself and “live my best life” because I have no limitations to me or my dreams. Being able to grow up being queer, gay, flamboyant, feminine, and extravagant really allowed me to go to extremes with who I wanted to be. Because I allowed myself to get there, I feel like I am finally the best version of myself, unapologetic, honest, fabulous, and a star. . . well, in my head, lol. My point is, lol, without constant support and love, I would never have been able to have reached where I am today.
Describe your idea of what drag is and your own personal style of drag.
Aaliyah Jae: Drag, to me, is a self-expression of however you feel that day! It’s all about feeling confident in your creative spark! My drag style will always be chonga– Spanish ghetto Barbie which in the gay scene means “banji”-- hence the hoop earrings ALWAYS.
Kat Wilderness: Rupaul said it best, “We’re all born naked, and the rest is DRAG!” Which is so true. Drag is Art. Drag is self-expression. Anyone can do drag because drag is for everyone to enjoy.
Ariel Rimm: My idea of drag is unparalleled beauty, Haute couture fashion, Glamour, makeup, and pop culture. A drag queen is a storyteller and someone who can take something glum and turn it into glam. I am very inspired by pop culture, fashion, decades, and ICONS. I grew up in the ‘90s. I wanted to be a Spice Girl as much as I immortalized Marilyn Monroe, continually being surrounded by Cuban and Latino culture, fascinated by the Kennedys and the idea of Camelot. These images all makeup part of who Ariel Rimm is. She’s effervescent, hilarious, and breathtaking. Oh! Let’s not forget; she is Ariel Rimm, with 2 Mm’s because it’s Mm Mm good 🤤
Lastly, who are you rooting for on this season of Drag Race?
Aaliyah Jae: This season of Drag Race, I started rooting for my girl Malaysia Baby Doll Foxxx because she is such a kiki in person, but with the final four in hand, I would like to see Mistress win because she represents drag in all forms. But we all know Sasha will win, and I’m not mad at that either. Amazing season hands down.
Kat Wilderness: SASHA MF COLBYYYY. And that’s on trans excellence 👏🏼
Ariel Rimm: Honestly, all season, undoubtedly, she has absolutely been perfection. Her story during her Tic Tac lunch with Rupaul was absolutely the cherry on top. I’m a sucker for someone who’s had the strength to uplift themselves, overcome adversity, and successfully come up on top, being the absolute ICON she is today: I am definitely team Sasha Colby!
Strike out,
Boca Raton
Editor-in-Chief: Melania Zilo
Creative Director: Francesca Cella
Concept & Interview: Joe Grassi
Photography: Caitlyn Cano
Photo Editing: Melania Zilo
Digital Director: Anika Chhabra
Digital Assistant: Ally Voshelle