Well hello there Dessie Love Blake! And condragulations on being crowned the new Miss Gay America! How are you feeling these days? Has it all sunk in yet?
The job has definitely started to sink in but the honor has not. I probably won’t feel completely like Miss Gay America until my first prelim which is Miss Gay Missouri America March 21st-23rd in St Louis. After competing six times over ten years, it’s nice to finally feel I have accomplished my goal!
It almost sounds like more relief than joy at this point. I know pageant preparation is very strenuous, and exponentially so on the national level. Did you have a good feeling going into the pageant this year?
I did. It was very strange. I had a sense of calm leading into the pageant and the whole week. Usually I’m more nervous and in my head. I did feel the nerves for a couple of hours during the afternoon of final night but I took a long shower in the dark with soft music and just breathed. The feeling of calm is probably what helped me deliver my package more efficiently and probably what I had been missing in the past. As far as feeling like I was going to win, it’s not that easy. I had been 1st alternate the last two times I competed. So I had been so close before to just fall short. I definitely held my breath when they called 1st alt this year! *Laughs*
You’re joining a long lineage of former Miss Gay Texas America winners to bring home the big crown, what is it about the Texas drag scene that produces so many national titleholders?
Texas drag is some of the best in the country. It’s very hard to make a name here and be successful with so many legends and icons living here performing. I feel very blessed to be just one of the many national title holders from Texas. I am the first Miss Gay America from Houston since Naomi Sims in 1985. Lauren Taylor (MGA ‘97) lives in Houston but won living in Austin. I think the reason there are so many winners from here is because you have to be so polished and talented to stand out in Texas.
Let’s hop in the Delorean and head back in time a bit! Where does your origin story begin?
I was born and raised in a small town just outside of Houston. I didn’t start Drag until I was 30 years old. I was bowling in a gay bowling league and they had a charity every year called the “Bowler Beehive”. They asked if I had wanted to participate but I had never even seen a drag show before. So I went and checked a few out and fell in love. I did the Bowler Beehive then two short years later I was Miss Gay Texas America and took my first trip to Miss Gay America in 2014 were I placed top 10 and won overall Solo Talent.
Dare we say you were a drag prodigy?
*Laughs* That’s a huge dare. I still looked busted but was old enough to have business sense.
You said you had never seen a drag show before, but did you have any exposure to the art form before then?
I used to sneak in and watch a stripper show at EJ’s hosted by Roxanne Collins. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. That was my only exposure really, back when I was like nineteen, twenty years old and not old enough to be in the club.
Did you have any hesitation about doing drag? Did you assume it would be a one time thing?
I didn’t hesitate because I had a background in performing arts so being on stage was natural for me but with my blue eyeshadow and bright pink blush, I didn’t think it would become a regular thing. I was hoping to be cast in shows and perform regularly but there was no guarantee. When I won Miss Gay Texas America, I had sixteen prelims so I had to leave my full time job and take that leap into performing full time. It was really scary but it has all worked out thankfully.
So wait, we’re NOT supposed to do blue eyeshadow and bright pink blush? No one told me!
It was like dance team makeup my sister put on me. Cover girl didn’t cover boy!
Where did your drag name come from?
I used to play with my sister’s Barbies growing up and one of my favorites was named Dessie. She was a superstar to me. *Laughs* So that’s where Dessie came from. Blake is from my drag mom Lana Blake.
What was it about pageantry that drew you in? Were you competitive previously?
I love to compete. I am a game night kind of person, always in it to win. The need to win sort of affected my mental health for a while. I had to take a break for a few years from competing because I wanted it so badly, I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t eat, and I was just constantly a ball of stress. I needed to step back and figure out how I could do this in a healthy way and not be so stressed out. I’m so happy I was able to take that time and really turn my attitude around and focus on the connections and the experience more than the win
That feels like a valuable experience and tools that can help other queens in the future. Do you want to use this platform to further social issues, such as mental health?
Absolutely. My fundraising platform this year is the Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is a crisis hotline and service for LGBTQ+ youth. I think since it is a voting year, that it is also important that I promote voter registration and getting people out to vote.
Speaking of politics, as someone who lives in the very red state of Texas, how does some of the dangerous rhetoric about drag specifically, and the queer community in general, affect you? Have any of your gigs been the victim of protests?
I’ve had several protests at different shows. You definitely have to keep your eyes and ears open. Drag Queens have always been a leader in the communities so I feel it’s my responsibly to take on that role and lead fearlessly
Switching to more exciting news, what do you think of the announcement of the new Miss Gay America Femme pageant?
I’m truly excited. It’s an honor to be the Miss Gay America at a time when we are branching out and finding ways to include the entire LGBTQ+ community. Michael and Rob have always found a way to hold on to the tradition of Miss Gay America while reaching for the future as times change. They marry the two very well.
I did an interview with Sunny Dee Lite not long after she was crowned Miss Continental and I marveled about how she hit the ground running with her reign. Do you have an idea of your schedule for the coming year and what are you hoping to accomplish during your time as the symbol of excellence?
I do. I have thirteen prelims already scheduled and on the books. I’m traveling to a couple of cities prior to their prelim to introduce myself and hopefully find a few contestants to compete. I have some exciting things coming this year as MGA such as New York Fashion Week, Big Gay Cruise and LA DragCon. My goal is to reach fifty plus contestants for 2025
If someone is looking to spend their time, talent and money on a pageant experience, why would you say they should consider the Miss Gay America system?
Miss Gay America has some of the best of the best as past title holders. It truly is a sisterhood when you compete there isn’t a lot of attitude or lack of camaraderie. Miss Gay America is a great way to polish your craft and push you not only in performance but as a person in life. The rewards of being Miss Gay America, though I haven’t reached them yet, are said to be the best year of many of the Forever’s lives. So if you are looking to compete somewhere to grow or to find connections and networking, and reign supreme next to some of the legends in female impersonation, Miss Gay America is it!
We’ve covered a lot of a territory already but are you ready for……THE LIGHTNING ROUND?
Yes!!!
Must have makeup item?
Full coverage powder by Mac Studio Fix
4 AM post show food craving?
That’s a tossup between Jack-in-the-Box and Waffle House.
The best part of drag?
Getting out of drag.
Girl! *Laughs*
There’s just something about pulling those lashes off and taking them tights off!
Getting the feeling back in our toes! Okay so, the worst part of drag?
Having to get ready. Once I’m in drag, I love performing and I love being on stage, but I hate to get in it and I love to get out of it
Most surprising thing about you that people might not know?
I watch a lot of sports.
Former national title holder you would pay the most to see?
Last movie to make you cry?
I don’t cry at movies.
Death Row last meal?
Steak and potatoes.
Streaming Binge recommendation?
The Curious Case Of Natalia Grace.
Disney character you relate to the most?
Goofy.
In the movie of your life, who plays you?
Margot Robbie! Barbie of course *Laughs*
Final question, most embarrassing song on your phone?
Baby Shark!
So in the interest of being timely, congratulations to Taylor Swift on taking her team to the Super Bowl yesterday! When did you start doing Taylor as a character? Why do you think she resonates the way she does?
I started doing Taylor Swift in the country era in 2013. I was working at EJ’s and Roxanne was doing an illusion show for her birthday. She said, you look just like Taylor Swift, will you do her? So I said sure! I was later cast in Eye Cons, a Houston illusion show, for 5 years where I developed her more and more. I put her on the shelf for several years but since she came back dominating, I had no choice but to bring her back out.
Not to brush past your upcoming year reign but do you have any thoughts about what you still have left to accomplish in the future, in your proverbial drag bucket list so to speak?
I was so focused on gaining this title, I really haven’t looked beyond that. Of course I would love to be a multi national title holder or even on RuPaul’s Drag Race, but for now I’m just going to enjoy this reign.
Since you mentioned Drag Race, what are your thoughts on the show? Obviously, it has its pros and cons but no one can deny it’s brought a lot of attention to the art of drag.
I think what it has done for Drag and pop culture is great. I feel we all have profited from the attention and people coming to local shows.
Dessie, thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me tonight. I know your schedule is already getting crazy. I wish you nothing but luck for your upcoming year. Do you have any final words of wisdom to leave the WERRRK. com universe with?
Never give up on your dreams. If you can see it, you can be it. Don’t let the noise of haters make you believe you can’t!
Follow Dessie on Instagram here.
Featured Image by Seferino Garcia Photography
