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.

The Girlfriend Experience: Embracing Authenticity

Get ready to meet the phenomenal talent that is The Girlfriend Experience, a captivating performer and passionate activist from the fourth season of Canada’s Drag Race! The Girlfriend Experience is set to dazzle the audience at the upcoming YOUphoria event in Sarnia. This special event, hosted by Sarnia-Lambton PrideFest, will take place on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the Imperial City Brewhouse. Featuring an all-trans and non-binary cast, including stars like Kylie Sonique Love, the event promises to be a night of unforgettable performances and powerful messages. Join us as we delve into the world of The Girlfriend Experience and what makes her such an extraordinary force in the drag community.

“I hope through my drag and drag style I show the world that trans women are beautiful, trans women can be desirable.”

— The Girlfriend Experience

DRAG MAG: The Girlfriend Experience, welcome! Can you share what inspired your drag name and how it reflects your persona on and off the stage?

The Girlfriend Experience: My drag name was inspired by the working girl but to be honest, it was first my instagram handle. As I began to travel for out of town gigs, I would get introduced as The Girlfriend Experience. This came around the time I began my transition so I used the name to rebrand and have separation between my drag person and my everyday life. I’ve always been inspired by strippers and showgirls. The Girlfriend Experience is the ultimate fantasy, the woman I always saw in me. She can be anything you want her to be *wink wink*.

DM: You were born in Germany and now live in Vancouver. How have these different cultural backgrounds influenced your drag style?

GFX: I honestly can’t say that either have had much influence on my drag. My drag is more influenced by gender and the celebration of femininity. 

DM: As a trans woman and activist, how do you integrate your advocacy work with your performances? What messages are you hoping to convey to your audiences?

GFX: I hope through my drag and drag style I show the world that trans women are beautiful, trans women can be desirable. I hope through my authenticity people can see women like me aren’t something to be ashamed of or hidden away. I believe in honesty and what is more honest than baring your heart, soul and body for people to see. It removes the walls of secrecy and lets the audience see me, all of me.

DM: You’re set to perform at the YOUphoria event in Sarnia alongside some incredible talent. How does it feel to be part of an all trans and non-binary cast event, and what significance does this hold for you?

GFX: The beauty of drag is it brings people together and in a world with so much division, sharing space with fellow trans folk establishes further community not just for myself but for others trans folk. 

DM: Can you give us a sneak peek into what we can expect from your performance at YOUphoria? Are there any special themes or inspirations you’re drawing from for this event?

GFX: I don’t know if I can do a good job of explaining my performance but like always, I will be giving 100% of my heart and energy. Again, this is such a fabulous event and sharing space and stage with trans folk motivates me to bring my A game and give it all I got!!

DM: YOUphoria is not just a performance event but also supports QT Camp through donations. How important do you think events like these are for the LGBTQ+ community, especially in smaller cities?

GFX: I'm blessed to live in a city with such a tight knit and diverse community. My hope is everyone to feel as connected as I have through the years. Events like this bring people together and that’s the beauty of drag, bring people together.

DM: What do you enjoy most about performing at Pride events, and how do you hope to impact those who attend your shows?

GFX: I loooooove Pride, the energy is always turned way up and celebrating with everyone and hearing the screams fills me with so much energy, it’s the adrenaline rush and the united feeling of happiness and celebration. 

DM: Having been a part of Canada’s Drag Race, how has your experience on the show influenced your career and your activism?

GFX: The show was such a blessing. Although I didn’t place far, it unlocked my cage and let me escape, reminding me how big the world is. Transitioning was such a rollercoaster. The social transition particularly after my affirming surgeries really affected me. I became fearful of the world and ultimately that was my downfall on the show. In a way the show gave me back my freedom. Traveling has brought me back to a place of peace and self reliance that I needed after a high speed few years.

DM: What are some challenges you’ve faced as a trans performer in the drag community, and how have you overcome them?

GFX: I’ve been lucky to be shown so much support by my community in Vancouver. Unfortunately some people have questioned if my drag is considered drag now that I have had surgeries. This was debated more during the run of my season.

DM: Do you have any upcoming projects or initiatives you’re excited about that you can share with our readers?

GFX: I’m currently getting ready for the Pride crawl! Very excited to experience drag on a hyper level now that I’ve been on the show and DragCon is just around the corner. Looking forward to a weekend full of drag and to meet all the fans!

DM: And Lastly, do you have anything that you would like to add?

Pride is 365 days a year. We are so special as a collective to have experienced life behind a queer identity. I think this life offers a unique and special perspective that deserves to be celebrated everyday. Stay grateful for the things you have and always lead with kindness. 

Don’t miss the chance to see The Girlfriend Experience and a stellar lineup of trans and non-binary performers, including Kylie Sonique Love, at YOUphoria on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Imperial City Brewhouse. 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. Come out, show your support, and experience the magic of YOUphoria!

By Kevin Blondin

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