Today we’d like to introduce you to Twisted Transitioner
Hi Twisted, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been a performer pretty much all my life. Some of the earliest home videos I have are of me, barely old enough to walk, swaying in front of the television to Kelly Clarkson and Kidz Bop music videos. Over the years I did dance, drill team, and musical theater. I loved the stage, and telling a story with my face and body and music. Eventually I started amateur burlesque in college and was encouraged to debut a drag persona at my school’s yearly Drag Ball event. My performance there went over well, and a professor who knew I’d be staying in town over the summer encouraged me to reach out and ask about performing at a local pride festival. Lorain County Pride was happy to have me and that weekend was one of the most incredible of my life- from there I fully jumped into the Northeast Ohio drag world and started competing in local open stages and competitions, tip spotting at shows, and meeting as many performers as I could until I started getting booked around the city and beyond! Drag was a very natural culmination of my growing into myself simultaneously as a performer, artist, and a queer & transgender person- where I am today in my drag journey feels like a very satisfying and neatly-tied bow of strings of moments from throughout my entire life. Though I’m still fairly young- so I hope there’s still lots of great things to come!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I am not a very private person and love sharing things about myself with people I meet, and unfortunately telling people in my “normal” out-of-drag life that I do drag is one of the hardest parts of being a drag artist. I know fellow performers who have been ridiculed and even fired from their jobs for telling people they do drag. You can never really be sure how people will react… a lot of folks who are allies (and sometimes even other LGBTQ people) will turn their nose or give you a certain kind of critical look- like doing drag is a bit “too much” or you’ve begun to shove your queerness too far into their face. But taking up that space as a queer individual is so important, especially when drag artists face discriminatory legislation every year all over the country. Personally, I also have struggled a lot with overworking myself and dealing with imposter’s syndrome in drag. I was still a full-time undergraduate student when I started out, and my love of the art and desire to push myself to be the best cost me quite a few hours of sleep in my last few semesters!! I often battle with self-doubt over whether I deserve certain amounts of attention or bookings, or if not getting those things means I’m failing. The drag world, like the performing arts world at large, can be a lot of internal mind-games and drama, and it’s been important for me to learn to wade through those difficult feelings and times and relish in the joy of being onstage, spending time with my community, and making great art!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a drag king! Drag itself is defined a lot of different ways and has changed a lot over the years, but I define it as a kind of transformation and performance of gender. Being a drag king, in contrast to a drag queen, specifically plays with masculinity. My specific brand of drag performance and my drag persona grapples and plays with the uniquely flamboyant and ridiculous masculinity of male rockstars seen in modern music genres like nu-metal or post-grunge. My performances are known for sleek and controlled choreography and strong musicality, as well as expressive lip-synching. I’m also known for my unique black & white stage makeup (or “mug” in the drag/makeup world). My work as a drag artist is directly inspired and informed by my experiences as a transgender man- and I often say the central “thesis” of my drag persona is the question of what would happen if a dude could become a total rockstar purely by virtue of being loudly and unabashedly trans- that kind of “taking up space” I mentioned earlier. I’m very proud of the way the persona of Twisted has developed concurrently with who I am outside of drag, as well as the way drag has allowed me to learn and practice loads of creative and technical skills like altering clothes, designing costumes, choreography, and music and video editing. Ultimately I think what sets me apart is my extremely dedicated attitude and my commitment to quality in performances, my onstage charisma, the punk-yet-polished ethos of my work, and what my stage persona represents in a world that is increasingly hostile towards transgender identity.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
The best way to work with me, book me for an event, or have a good chat is through my email or Instagram! My Instagram account is @twistedtransitioner, and my email can be found through my instagram page or my Linktree (https://linktr.ee/twistedtransitioner). I pride myself on being quite a speedy responder to messages and inquiries, so don’t be afraid to reach out!
If you’d like to slide me a virtual tip or help support my work financially, my Venmo and Cashapp handles are both, conveniently, twistedtransitioner as well. You can also always check out my Instagram to see where I’ll be appearing next and come support me (and the countless amazing drag artists in Ohio) in-person at a gay bar, brunch spot, or music venue near you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/twistedtransitioner
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twistedtransitioner
Image Credits
Starboy Images, M Makes Photos & Photography by Joe
