Kylie Sonique Love: Embracing YOUphoria

Get ready for a night of dazzling performances and celebration of diversity as Kylie Sonique Love, the trailblazing winner of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season 6, graces Sarnia with her presence! As the first person to come out as transgender on any reality TV show, Kylie has paved the way for countless others in the LGBTQ+ community. She will be performing at the highly anticipated event YOUphoria on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Imperial City Brew House, presented by Sarnia-Lambton PrideFest. Joining her will be The Girlfriend Experience from Canada's Drag Race season 4, with the event hosted by Farra N Hyte and featuring incredible talents like Heaven Lee Hytes, Tommi Boy, Maple Queef, Poison, and Sarnia's own Brenda. This all trans and non-binary cast event is 19+ and free to attend, with donations supporting QT Camp, and will be followed by a dance. Don't miss this unforgettable evening of unity and celebration!

DRAG MAG: YOUphoria is an all trans and non-binary cast event. How important do you think it is to have events that specifically highlight trans and non-binary performers?

KSL: Oh, goodness. I think it's extremely important to include all kinds of performers, especially trans and non-binary performers. We've always been in these shows, and I think because it's taken a while for mainstream to realize that, that it kind of put a halt on how people viewed us in these shows. But I feel like trans and non-binary people have always been part of the drag world. And so it's nice to be recognized again.

DM: You made history as the first person to come out as transgender on a reality TV show. How do you reflect on that moment now, and what impact do you think it has had on the drag and LGBTQ+ communities?

KSL: At the time, when I came out as trans on Drag Race, I had no idea what I was doing and what I was saying was going to be a snowball effect. I feel like I was part of a snowball effect for the trans community, as far as mainstream for drag and mainstream exposure. Before then, we had Candis Cayne and Laverne Cox, but I'm really grateful that I could be that person. I know when I was a kid, I didn't have somebody like that to see, so I'm glad that I could be that for people coming up.

DM: Winning Drag Race All Stars season 6 was a monumental achievement. How has your life and career changed since taking home the crown?

KSL: Well, it's nice to be recognized for my talent, and that was nice to be able to come back to Drag Race and have people see me and see my talent. I feel like, as far as changed me, I don't feel like it's changed me at all. What I've realized is it's changed the people around me, and it's changed the way that people see me. But I feel like me, as a person, I haven't really changed. I just feel more seen, and I have noticed the change of the people around me, if that makes any sense. 

DM: What can the audience at YOUphoria expect from your performance in Sarnia?

KSL: I feel like people have an idea of what they think they're going to see when they see me, but I think ultimately, I just feel like it's going to be more than what they were expecting. It's going to be different and more than what they were expecting out of me, and I like that. People think they're going to get one thing, and I give them something else that they're going to like, too.

DM: How do you prepare for an event like this? Any pre-show rituals or routines?

KSL: I like to meditate. I really like to envision myself, before I go on stage, doing a good job, and positivity, and being able to not only do something that I can be proud of, but that other people can remember and be inspired by. And that I don't hurt myself when I'm on stage. Other things I like to do, I don't drink or anything like that. I'm not trying to get messed up before I go on stage. But I think for me, it's always been meditating. I always say a little prayer before I go on stage, and that really grounds me and allows me to feel safe and put on a good show.

DM: You’re joining a great lineup of performers for this event. What are you looking forward to most about sharing the stage with so much diverse talent?

KSL: I always have a good time when I'm working with people that I've never met before or new entertainers. I find that we're able to learn from each other, and it's just such a good feeling. A lot of good energy. Everyone being so excited, and I'm just so happy that I get to be a part of all that.

DM: This event supports QT Camp through donations. Why do you think it's important for the drag community to engage in and support charitable initiatives?

KSL: I think what's most important is community, and in order to have a strong community, we have to take care of that community, so being able to have charities that help fund the community is super important, because without each other, we have no community.

DM: You’ve had a remarkable journey from Drag Race season 2 to All Stars 6. How do you think the drag scene has evolved over the years, particularly regarding the inclusion and visibility of trans performers?

KSL: Where I'm from, we've always had trans people in the shows. If anything, we've had more trans people in the shows, but for a while, it seemed like it wasn't a place that we should be at because of the tone. I do feel like not having trans people on a show like RuPaul's Drag Race that's so mainstream and that it's a lot of people's first introduction to drag, it does a disservice to the community. So I think it's really incredible that we are back in the conversation, we are there, and it's a safe place for trans people to work. It's an environment where we can be celebrated for who we are.

DM: What advice would you give to young trans and non-binary individuals who are looking to get into drag and performance art?

KSL: I think the advice I would give anyone who is wanting to get into drag is just to have fun with it. Try to be unique and show off your talent. It's a good way to shine a spotlight on your talent. And just to take that what makes you special and embellish it and show it to the world. 

DM: Who are some of your biggest inspirations within the drag and LGBTQ+ communities?

KSL: One of my biggest inspirations in the drag and LGBT community would be RuPaul. RuPaul is a huge inspiration to me. Candis Cayne, Lady Bunny. Mr. Charlie Brown from Atlanta, she just passed away recently. They are like pillars in the community and they were on the front line so to speak. They were the voices and the faces of our community when it was not accepted, when you could be thrown in jail, easily hurt without any repercussions to the people who are hurting you. So I am inspired by the people who came before me.

“I just want to inspire people to go and live their dreams. Not just chase them but live them out.”

— Kylie Sonique Love

DM: What has been your favourite moment or performance in your drag career so far?

KSL: One of my favorite performances that I did was performing with Miley Cyrus. Being with her has really been a big highlight of my career. Doing the VMAs, which is something I was so inspired by as a kid and even as a young performer. I was always inspired by the VMAs. Then getting to do a Pride special with Miley in Tennessee, which is a very conservative state, and performing on the stage. It's the Ryman Theater, but it was originally the Grand Ole Opry where great people like Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn performed. Those are women that I looked up to. To be able to perform on that stage with Miley and get to be myself and have a show of queer love and talent was great. Me and Miley did a show in Vegas on July 4th of 2021, and we were the first live show after the pandemic. That was really awesome to be able to share the stage, just me and her. The synergy that we had was so incredible, and I'll never forget that.

DM: Aside from performing, do you have any other projects or passions that you're currently working on or looking forward to in the near future?

KSL: There's a lot that I'm working on. I've been working on music. Right before I got back on All Stars I really focused a lot on writing and producing music. Also, I'm in the works of creating my own podcast. I just want to be able to share my voice and to have conversations with all different walks of life of people. I think it's really important. I'm really looking forward to the future and to my podcast and to produce some more music.

DM: What message do you hope to convey to your fans and the audience through your performances and presence in events like YOUphoria?

KSL: The message that I'd like to convey to the audience is to just show up and spread love. That's genuinely how I feel. I know it sounds pretty simple. I can show you better than I can tell you. Showing up and being myself and having confidence in front of a room full of people as a trans person, as a queer person, and as a person in general is inspiring. I just want to inspire people to go and live their dreams. Not just chase them, but live them out. That's what I'm doing when I'm on stage. I am living my dreams out loud. 

DM: What are you most excited about for the future of drag and the broader LGBTQ+ community?

KSL: I'm excited to see where else queer people can be celebrated other than just queer spaces. I think drag is the key that has opened the door for queer people to be celebrated. Not just because they do good hair or can rearrange a house and furniture. I think there's just so many stereotypes of what queer people only had a use for. I think we're able to do anything that anyone else is doing. I really feel like drag is definitely helping the world see queer people be stars and be successful at more than just queer entertainment. I can't wait to see what all else we can be. I can't wait until it's not just an LGBT community. I can't wait until we can just drop all of that and everyone just be one together. No matter how you identify or how you pray or how you love, I would ultimately like to see us break these acronyms and just be people again.

DM: And lastly, is there anything that you would like to add?

KSL: I would like to say I love Canada and anytime that I'm able to get to come to your beautiful country, I feel extremely blessed. Canada holds a dear place in my heart. They've always made me feel like a star and I hope to get to see more of Canada more often. Also, I would love for people to stream my music under Kylie Sonique Love and just follow up with me on my podcast. It's a passion project. I want people to know that I'm making music and I'm more than just a drag performer on stage. I can do other things to entertain.

Join Kylie Sonique Love and a stellar lineup of trans and non-binary performers at YOUphoria on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Imperial City Brew House. Presented by Sarnia-Lambton PrideFest, this event promises an evening of extraordinary talent, community spirit, and unforgettable performances. Admission is free, with donations supporting QT Camp. Don't miss out on this spectacular celebration of diversity and inclusion!

By Kevin Blondin

YOUphoria
Saturday, July 13, 2024
At Imperial City Brew House, in Sarnia, Ontario

This article has been brought to you by Diversity Ed. in Sarnia, ON.

Ask Jimbo Anything

We asked our subscribers to send us questions for Jimbo, from Canada’s Drag Race season 1, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World season 1, and the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season 8.

DRAG MAG: If the library were open and you had the opportunity to read Plane Jane, what would you say to her?

Jimbo: I would say, get yourself some bigger titties, bitch. 

DM: Who do you still keep in contact with from Canada's Drag Race?

J: I keep in touch with all my girls. I love all of my Canada’s Drag Race girls. It’s definitely easier to see the ones that live out west. So, Ilona comes over to the island and she parties with me, and I always try to connect with Tynomi, Priyanka when she’s ever in town. Basically, we have a group chat online, so we try to stay in touch as much as possible. 

Who are you rooting for on this season of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 16?

I am still kind of just watching and figuring that out. I'm not really sure yet. I've been watching it, and it's a really, really funny, really good season. 

Would you partake in a future winner’s season? 

For sure. I love making TV. I love doing drag. And I love RuPaul.

What's your most memorable performance and why does it stand out to you?

I can't really pick one performance. I've been touring around the world, performing as much as I humanly possibly can. And every single time, every single night, I've tried my best to give my all and to leave people with an amazing show and a great night. So, I guess you have to ask the people that were at the shows because that's part of clowning too, you kind of don't really register, you just kind of let it flow through you, so I have no idea. 

Who are your drag influences or role models and how have they shaped your style?

My drag influences and role models are definitely people like Pamela Anderson, Dolly Parton, obviously, you know, Mama Ru is definitely an influence of mine. Elvira, I love Elvira, and other drag queens from the Drag Race franchise, I definitely have been inspired by queens like Bianca, and Sasha Velour, and Trixie, they’re really inspiring queens. 

Another subscriber asks, is there any specific inspiration behind the bodacious boobage as your staple?

It's just me being a big old sexy clown. I love curves, I love swerves, I love body, I love proportion, and I’m a clown, so bigger bigger, more more, and my mom has big boobs, and it’s just what’s natural. It’s all about putting your inside on the outside. 

Another subscriber asks which one do you like better, your left tit, or your right tit?

I guess maybe it’s not so much the left to right as it is the sizes. I have maybe 20 or more different breast plates, so, you know, I definitely have my favourites of my different breast plates. 

Then the next question is, do you have names for your breast plates?

I do, yea. I try to name them as much as I can. I forget them, then I just rename them. I'm wearing Jessica right now, but it might have been Tiffany, I can’t remember. 

Another subscriber asks, so you must be very busy. What do you do to relax and do you have a hobby outside of drag?

What I do to relax is I usually try to take in wherever I am. Being on the road I get the fortune of seeing so many places, but unfortunately I have to move through them quite quickly, so whenever I have some free time I like to take in wherever I am by going to see some friends, if I have friends in the area, or go relax, it just kind of depends on where I happen to be in the world. 

Is there a story behind the cowboy shirt that you wore on all three of your seasons?

Yeah, I definitely like the cowboy shirt. I found that in New Orleans. I love being down in New Orleans. And I was down there on a trip with my partner at the time, and I was thrift shopping at the French Quarter and I went into this record store, and I got a Bootsie Collins record and a Little Richard record, and some really amazing other records, and I went into the shop and I thought, oh my God, that looks like I made that shirt, like it used to belong to Bootsie Collins. So I just kind of made up that it was this really magical shirt. And then it was way, way up the top, near the ceiling. And I said to the person, I thought it was going to be so expensive. I said, how much is that? And they said, oh, that? Like, I don’t know, like 10 bucks, and I said oh my god, I’ll get that, and so I got that shirt and I wore it as I biked around New Orleans and every single person stopped me and was like, that shirt is amazing, I love that shirt. I need to have that shirt. Where'd you get that shirt? People just loved it. And so ever since, I wore it on special occasions; I wore it on my birthday, I wore it on New Year's, I wore it whenever I needed to feel magical or I needed luck. And so when I went on drag race, they asked me, what do you wanna wear that means something to you? And I said, well, I brought my lucky shirt, my favorite shirt. And then each time I went to compete, I was trying to think of something else to wear and nothing held any real meaning to me enough to show it in that level. So I thought, I'm just gonna wear my lucky shirt. That's the only piece of clothing I have that has meaning to me. So that's what I wore. 

How did eyeballs become one of your motifs? 

I don't know. I think I have a curiosity about biology and about the natural world and there is just something so magical and beautiful about eyes. And I collect eyes, and I collect heads, and I collect old toys, and they say eyes are the gateways to the soul, and there’s something individual and magical about eyes, so I love eyes. 

If you had to choose your proudest moment from your drag race journey, what would it be?

I would say it's probably my crowning, where I was able to show the very, very best of who I am and what I love to do and win a show that means a lot to me. So that was a dream come true. 

What was it like competing against an international lineup of queens on UK versus the world? And how did it feel to represent Canada on a global stage?

It was so much fun. I had been touring a lot over in the UK and so I was already kind of friends with some of the girls and I was just so excited to be competing on an international level. It was also during the pandemic when we filmed that so there was a certain level of disconnection that was happening in the world. And I was able to go and kind of connect with people in another country, in another continent, which most people in the world were not able to do at that time. So it kind of felt really special. It felt really surreal. And I think that isolation added to that sort of on-screen madness that was part of that show.

The Drag Race fandom is known for its creativity. What's the craziest fan interaction you've ever had and how do you feel about the dedicated fan base you've gained?

The craziest fan interaction I ever had was probably in Luxembourg, in Switzerland. This girl in the audience latched onto my breast and just started screaming and pulling and I kind of just went with it and started screaming my head off but for the audience it was quite alarming. It was fun. It was wild. 

All-Stars Season 8 was iconic. Looking back, what was the most challenging part of the competition and how did you overcome it to snatch the crown? 

The most challenging part of the competition was when my good friend, sister and alliance member Heidi decided to leave the competition. She is a great friend and a great competitor and I was really sad to see her go and that really left a hole for all of us. So she had to do what was right for her and in the end, you know, who knows, maybe we'll see her again on another season somewhere. 

If you had to pick one queen from your drag race journey to join you in a dynamic duo performance, who would it be and what song would you slay together? 

I would want to perform with Mama Ru herself and I want to perform Hey Kitty Girl with her. 

You’ve become a fashion icon with your avant-garde looks. How do you stay ahead of the fashion curve and where do you find inspiration for your boundary pushing outfits? 

Well, I just do what feels good for me. I have an interest in fashion and I have an interest in kind of what's happening and what's new around me. I think that there's all kinds of influences and I am a designer and I love sourcing materials and checking things out. So I think those all kind of go together, finding new materials, finding new fashions, finding new fabrics and working them into new cuts and new designs is all a part of being a drag queen and a costume designer. So that's what I love about it. 

The Drag Race experience is undoubtedly transformative. How has being on the show changed you? 

I would say it's kind of like a drag boot camp and you go in kind of feeling like you're the shit and you kind of come out leaving feeling like, oh, okay, you know, I definitely went in a little bit crunchy, a little bit punchy, and I feel a little bit better coming out the other side. So each time, part of drag, and the delusion but you know part also amazing part about Drag is getting better and improving at your art form. So, that’s what I love about going to Drag Race, and each time, I’ve left a better drag queen. 

Competing in three different countries must have been awesome already. And with the drag race franchise continuing to expand globally, if you had the chance to compete in any other international version, which one would you choose and why?

I would go and compete over in France because I love the fashions and I love my sister Nicky Doll so it would be really, really awesome to go over and compete there.

Drag queens are known for their pseudonyms. If you had to choose a completely different drag name for a day, what would it be? And what kind of queen would you be? 

A different drag name... I have no idea. The thing about drag that I love is kind of just naming myself once I'm in a character or once I take on a persona. So I think that I would have to get dressed as that person and look in the mirror and say, okay, this is who I am. 

Drag queens often have a fierce arsenal of one-liners. Can you share your favorite Jimbo quote and when did you first realize the power of a well-timed catchphrase?

I guess Mama Ru has been the queen of the catchphrase. And the thing about a catchphrase is you don't really know when it's happening. You know, you can't really be self-conscious about a catchphrase and be like, this is my catchphrase and it's gonna be catchy. That's kind of the magic of it, you just have to be authentically yourself and then people resonate with something that you say and then that becomes your catchphrase. So, I went into Drag Race just being open and just saying, this is who I am, this is my name, I'm Jimbo, I don't have some weird pun or weird funny name, that's just my name. And yeah, I think it's great to not be so self-conscious about it and be like, this is my one-liner and this is my catchy phrase. It's more of the audience decides those things and you're lucky if that happens.

Can you name a one-liner that the audience has really latched onto?

I would say my one liner from Canada’s Drag Race that people love is “It's my special day” and having me scream that. I do cameo messages and all kinds of people message me saying can you scream “it’s my special day” or “can you tell this person it’s my special day,” and there’s a meme of me screaming that, it always makes me laugh. 

You’ve graced the drag race runway with tons of unforgettable looks. If you had to pick one outfit that represents the essence of Jimbo, which one would it be?

I would say there isn't necessarily any one outfit and I think that that's what set me apart on Drag Race from the other queens. There isn't one single style or genre or one specific look. Every time I come around the corner I try to surprise people, I try to surprise myself and show different facets of drag and what I love about drag. So looks like my dark influencer look from All Stars is really cool, cell phones. I love my look from UK versus world. My winter baby look where I'm sort of that chess queen. I like the look from Canada's Drag Race where I'm like denim diva where I kind of had that weird denim monster with a high pony. So, yeah, it's hard to pick just one. 

Anticipation is building for Jimbo's Drag Circus which hits Royal Oak on February 29th.What inspired the concept behind this tour and what can fans expect from the experience?

Fans can expect to laugh and to see an unconventional drag show. And everything I do is kind of influenced by making people laugh and kind of getting myself off and making myself laugh and showing what I love about drag, which is looks. And laughter. And jokes and fun. So that's what you're in for. And I'm going to dance, and I'll be doing character work, and I'll be playing six different characters. And I wrote new music. And I’m dancing, and it’s awesome. 

Your drag persona is iconic and unique. How does Jimbo transform from the everyday to the extraordinary for this circus themed extravaganza? 

Well, that's the power of drag. I'm going to put on a whole lot of makeup, strap on my tits and get to work. 

Is there anything you could tell us to give us kind of a sneak peek into some of your looks or performances that we'll see?

Yeah, you're gonna see some of my favorite characters like Shirley Temple, Joan Rivers, Casper the Bologna Ghost, Mickey, Eva Dent, and a new character that I've never done before. 

Can you share how the show embraces diversity and inclusivity, creating a space for everyone to revel in the magic of drag?

I think the beauty of drag in itself, drag is all about diversity, it's all about inclusivity, it's all about being open space. So, you know, I welcome every single person to come in and to take a little bit of my show with them and the feeling is going to be about laughter, about celebration, about love, about acceptance, and really about celebrating who we each are as individuals.

And Royal Oak is the lucky city to kick off the tour. Is there any reason why this location was chosen? And are there any special surprises in store for the audience on the premiere night?

Yeah, the special surprise is seeing the show for the first time of anyone in the world. And the reason why we're doing it in Royal Oak is because I've partnered with Murray and Peter Presents and they are a Royal Oak based production company. 

For those attending, what message or feeling do you hope they leave the venue with and how do you envision this tour making a mark in the world of drag entertainment?

I hope people come and get what they love out of drag and get what they love out of me and get a little bit more of a taste of who I am and the characters that they love and I hope that they leave laughing and I hope that they leave feeling like they have permission to be a little bit more weird and a little bit more wild themselves.

And where should fans go to get more information on the tour and tickets? 

Sure, they can head to dragfans.com for tickets and check out my website houseofJimbo.com for more information on what I'm up to and where I am.

Murray & Peter and House of Jimbo Present
Jimbo’s Drag Circus
World Tour 2024