Danielle Ayres shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Danielle, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Leadership. I have wanted it before and was afraid, and honestly, it was best that it wasn’t till now. I had some growing to do and I’m glad now some people waited to give me the chance until I matured more and understood how to make certain calls.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Danielle Ayres, aka Sasha A Bombfox, and I have been doing burleque/drag for almost 10 year (December 12th) and a Rocky Horror Shadow Caster for 9 years, with the Fishnet Mafia. I have won a few awards, including an international one, won a local drag pagent title, and got to perform in a festival that highlighted performers with disabilities. My current focus is retiring from full time performing locally in burlesque and focusing soley on my Rocky Horror group and traveling to perform next year.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
This is going to sound so crazy. I knew very early on thaat I wanted to be a performer. I used to put 2×4’s on my old porch swing to make a stage and put on Queen’s “Live at Wembley Stadium” and I would impersonate Freddie Mercury in “Radio Gaga” and remember putting my fist in the air and feeling all the power and happiness that a 7 year old could feel. Ah to be that young again.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Many. Many, many, many times. I luckily have some of the best friends and a support system anyone could ask for. Also, I’ve never been one to really give up or quit. Just take a break, get some feedback and reflection, and try a different way. Whether it be a way of thinking, acting, or even ignoring, it all helps. I find taking social media breaks and blocking people with negative energy does wonders for the mind. Sometimes that’s all it takes. My retiring from perofrming full time isn’t me quitting, it’s me changing direction in what I want and, in my opinion, deserve. Life is also too short so I’m choosing joy and positivity in this current horrible society, instead of anger, distrust, and hate.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Rocky Horror with my shadow cast. In late October of 2024, I was selected to be assistnat director. That surprised me completely. Rocky has always been a passion and project of mine I always wanted to build on. It means the world to me that I do a good job so that our group was successful and to get some amazing oppurtunites. This current cast, is my family. And just like any family, there are ups and downs, but as long as we communicate, we get through it and make us better for it. Since taking over, our social media has blown up, we got to perform at Galaxycon Columbus in Dec of 2024. We did a performance top open up for the “Strange Journey” requested by the documentary team. And this year in October, we get to perform with Little Nell and Patricia Quinn, and with our team and communication, we are ready to tackle what we call “Helltober”.
By the way you can see the Fishnet Mafia every first Saturday at Studio 35 with special showings in October.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely. I’ve learned in life most things you do are a “thankless job”. Thanks Repo the Genetic Opera for that lesson. I do things because it’s either my job or it’s something I love. I always try to give my very best in everything I have.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sasha_a_bombfox/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sashabombfox/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sashaabombfox
Image Credits
Alexis Mitchell
Laura Dark Photography
midnight_photography_emm
dahlia.daydream_creations
Eric Jackson
