RuPaul’s Drag Race superstar Alyssa Edwards ‘flattered’ by how much the show has inspired young performers – as they arrive in Sydney for the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
RuPaul’s Drag Race superstar Alyssa Edwards is in Sydney for the upcoming Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras on Saturday 29th February.
Speaking on The Project on Friday night, the 40-year-old drag superstar says that she is touched by the ‘young queens’ she has inspired.
The performer revealed: ‘I think I was born and blessed with the gift of being a teacher and mentor. I’ve grown Beyond Belief Dance Company for 17 years and it brings me joy to share my life experiences, my passion.
In town: RuPaul’s Drag Race superstar Alyssa Edwards (pictured) is in Sydney for the upcoming Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras on Saturday 29th February
‘I started doing drag at 19 years old. I’m a little seasoned. I think it’s quite flattering these young queens look up to us.
‘I grew up in a time where social media didn’t exist. There were not fabulous entertainers like myself on television and definitely not on the news. I think it’s wonderful. We’re living in a very interesting but fabulous time’.
She added that RuPaul was one of her icons growing up, having seen him in the 1995 film, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar.
Speaking on The Project on Friday night, the 40-year-old drag superstar says that she is touched by the ‘young queens’ she has inspired
She said: ‘I started doing drag at 19 years old. I’m a little seasoned. I think it’s quite flattering these young queens look up to us’
Adding: ‘Ru Paul was an inspiration to me at a very early age. At 15 years old I watched To Wong Foo. It was my very first time seeing a female impersonator.
‘He came down on that swing in that rebel dress and a platinum wig and I looked at my mother and said, “What is that?”
‘I was so intrigued. I have so much admiration for him and respect. He is truly not only an icon and a legend, but he is the term, one in a million.’
The performer revealed: ‘I think I was born and blessed with the gift of being a teacher and mentor… it brings me joy to share my life experiences, my passion’
Inspired: RuPaul (pictured) was one of her icons, having seen him in the 1995 film, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. ‘Ru Paul was an inspiration to me. At 15 years old I watched To Wong Foo. It was my very first time seeing a female impersonator’ Alyssa said
In an interview with DailyMail.com last year, Alyssa, from Mesquite, Texas, said that before immersing herself in the world of drag, she was once a ‘little, shy boy’ named Justin Dwayne Lee Johnson.
She said that growing up as a timid child, she found the concept of coming out very difficult to process, and she thought it was ‘very unfortunate’ that her sexuality might offend someone.
Alyssa explained: ‘People often ask me, ‘When did you come out?’ and I say, ‘I never really knew I had to.’ Why do I have to come out? That’s very hard for me to process.
‘I was a little, shy boy from Mesquite. But then you think, ‘I have to officially announce who I love,’ and why that would offend someone is very unfortunate,’ she added.
The beauty told The Project: ”I grew up in a time where social media didn’t exist. There were not fabulous entertainers like myself on television and definitely not on the news. I think it’s wonderful. We’re living in a very interesting but fabulous time’