(upbeat music) - I got involved with drag.

It was Pride, on Pride, probably like 2015?

Juju was performing, I believe her name is Jujubee, from "RuPaul's Drag Race."

She was performing for Pride in Minneapolis at the Loring Park.

And I just seemed, I don't know, it just seemed very magical to me.

I just loved how she could do these things, dress up, and perform and be entertaining, and everyone just lived for it.

That's something I've always wanted to do, literally.

I just always wanted to sing and entertain people.

And as soon as I saw that, I was like, "Oh my gosh!

Maybe I could put these two together, and make something out of it."

(upbeat music) I was very timid.

I didn't want to do drag.

I still was very unsure if that's something I wanted to do.

And my family worrying about me wearing dresses, and all that stuff.

(Ebony laughing) Yeah, it made me shy away from all of that.

But then I started to not really care.

I was just like, I'm gonna live my life, and I'm gonna live it how I want to.

I'm gonna live happily.

I'm gonna do what makes me happy without anyone there to judge me or hover over me.

(bright music) That's when I started performing honestly.

And I think that's where I got hooked.

There's something about it, when I get on stage, I just turn into like Sasha Fierce.

Like, it's a whole another personality, versus what you see now.

Like, it's a whole different person.

(upbeat music) And then after that, it was like, everything is like history.

'Cause I just loved it so much, it's really amazing.

Like the light that drag can really just bring to someone.

It's really crazy.

(upbeat music) Two years ago I decided to start sewing, start learning how to sew it myself.

I actually started from the YouTube videos.

And ever since that, I've just been making outfits, at least two outfits a month.

(upbeat music) I was very scared at first of sewing.

Very scared.

Like I didn't think I could do it because there's so many things that you have to learn literally, like.

And just the fact that of bringing something to reality from a drawing, to manifest it in reality, is just crazy to me.

(electronic music) I usually start by sketching up my own ideas.

Then I source the materials, get everything that I need in the cart, ends up being out of my budget.

(Ebony laughing) And then I just take time literally getting everything.

Just take parts and yeah, and come in this room, and I literally bring it to life.

(upbeat music) This is a Trans flag.

I wanted to make a Trans flag into a garment, and I wanted to make it more of a statement.

So I kinda made it into a train.

It's like a 50-inch, something like that, train.

(electronic music) The garments that I usually make, I use them in a lot of my performances.

I think a lot of people live for them, 'cause I don't know, it's a lot of blood and tears that goes into making stuff.

I don't think people actually know how hard it is.

(gentle music) Favorite fashion designer would have to be Guo Pei.

I don't know if you've ever heard of her, but, oh my gosh, amazing pieces.

Like I want to be able to have some of my pieces in a museum, one day.

Maybe as like a drag museum or something.

That'll be so beautiful.

(gentle music) Last year, I did a show in Montevideo, and it was amazing.

I did a tribute to Tina Turner.

She wasn't dead yet, but, (Ebony laughing) I did a tribute to her, and it was just amazing.

Like, the crowd was just over the top.

Beautiful people, beautiful experience.

(upbeat music) (audience cheering) My partner is my literal number one supporter.

He literally supports me in everything.

It's something he had to learn to love, honestly.

I think he learned to love it as much as I love it.

(upbeat music) I can't, couldn't love him more, couldn't love him any more.

Love him the most.

(upbeat music) Drag has taken me for a crazy ride, honestly.

It's taken me for a ride.

I just, I don't know how to explain it.

Like, I wouldn't have had these experiences, I know that for sure, if it wasn't for drag.

So I'm very honored that I even started it, and happy.

I'm just happy that I even started it, but, the journey, I feel like it's just getting started, honestly.

I feel like I haven't even moved yet.

(Ebony laughing) (upbeat music) (upbeat music continues) (upbeat music continues) - [Narrator] "Postcards" is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.

Additional support provided by Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies.

Mark and Margaret Yackel-Juleen, on behalf of Shalom Hill Farms, a retreat and conference center in a prairie setting near Windom, Minnesota.

On the web at shalomhillfarm.org.

Alexandria, Minnesota, a year-round destination with hundreds of lakes, trails and attractions for memorable vacations and events.

More information at explorealex.com.

The Lake Region Arts Council's arts calendar, an arts and cultural heritage funded digital calendar showcasing upcoming art events and opportunities for artists in West Central Minnesota.

On the web at lrac4calendar.org.

Playing today's new music, plus your favorite hits, 96.7 KRAM, online at 967kram.com.

(upbeat music)