“Drag Raceis a stressful-ass show to make.
But RuPaul and her energy make it a little bit less stressful.”
Read on for more.
“Drag Raceis a stressful-ass show to make. But RuPaul and her energy make it a little bit less stressful."
Note:This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Can you share how it will be different from a traditional drag show?
Shea Coulee:One thing that makes the Love Ball special is this cast.
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They’re all really incredible Black drag entertainers who make music that has intent behind it.
We don’t often get the chance to do that.
This is, from what I know, the first concert of its kind.
The entire concert, the entire showcase is of our talent, heart, and music.
The recent [Hollywood] strikes show that nothing is really guaranteed.
Fame and celebrity culture is fleeting.
Monet:The same for me.
What lessons did you take away from working with RuPaul onDrag Race?
Shea:One is that it pays to be nice to people.
She commands the set ofDrag Race.
Mama Ru be working, okay!
Working and still showing up.
Monet:The show really taught me to not be afraid to make mistakes.
I have made so many mistakes on TV for millions of people to watch.
Some of it is embarrassing.
Some of it I wish I didn’t do.
But I think it’s all part of the development of who I am now.
Shea:That’s incredible advice.
Who was your first Black queer fashion icon?
Their fashion was always poppin', always, and always dope.
Shea:Also, let’s just throw Grace Jones in there for good measure.
We gotta throw Ms. Grace Jones up in there.
What advice would you share for younger Black queer people?
Shea:Know your worth and don’t be afraid to take up space.
Even if that means adding categories that are not gender specific.
Why are we not doing a nonbinary category?
We can add these things so that everyone feels adequately represented at the Grammys.
You owe it to yourself to go out there.
Be the change that you wish to see.
How much progress do you think has been made for Black queer people in general?
Shea:We’re still inching along.
We’re often tokenized and used as a novelty to create the facade of inclusion.
When we stop doing that, I think change will be more impactful.
At this point in your careers, what’s been your proudest moment being Black and queer?
That electric, tangible thing that happens when you meet these people in real life I love that.
I can’t explain what it is.
But it just happens every time I meet another queer Black famous person.
I knew that it would be really scary to come out.
It was for me as someone who grew up in church.
I’m just so glad that I chose authenticity and truth.
Thanks for chatting with us, Shea and Monet.
Read more interviews from our Black History Month initiative, Black, Out & Proud,here.
