Miss Conception Turns 25... Again

A SIT-DOWN Q&A WITH A WORLDWIDE CELEBRATED DRAG QUEEN

BY JAMIE ALEXANDER

Miss Conception is celebrating her 25th year as a drag performer, with 15 of those years spent in Puerto Vallarta as a head-liner entertainer. We talked with her and asked these 15 must-know questions & answers..

1. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START PERFORMING IN DRAG 25 YEARS AGO?

It was actually two drag queens’ names J.J. Murray and Felicia (from the iconic drag trio “The Freaks”). My friends Jack and Ben and I used to go to Zipperz (a once predominant, iconic gay bar in the heart of Toronto’s gay district) on Monday night for industry night and watch the show. My friends said “You should do drag “ and I was like “you think “

The girls (the drag queens performing that night) let me on their stage two weeks later and Miss Conception was born.

2. CAN YOU SHARE YOUR MOST MEMORABLE PERFORMANCE FROM THE PAST 25 YEARS?

There are so many memorable moments but one that stands out is performing for the 150th birthday of Canada at Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto. Followed by a personalized letter from the Governor General writing to say how proud she was.

3. HOW HAS THE DRAG SCENE CHANGED SINCE YOU FIRST STARTED?

It’s changed so very much. When I started drag it was about impersonating a celebrity more than just wearing a body suit. So many of us tried to look like or spoof celebrities in the art of impersonation. Sadly, that art form is slowly fading away.

4. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT PERFORMING IN DRAG?

Like my friend Michael Holmes (otherwise known as the “Judy Garland” of Palm Springs) says: “It’s like you leave your own body and take over a new person.” by:

I agree with him. My favorite part of performing in drag is becoming a character, letting loose, making people laugh and forgetting the world.

5. HOW DO YOU CHOOSE YOUR COSTUMES AND MAKEUP FOR EACH PERFORMANCE?

Well my make-up stays the same for my impersonations/Spoof characters that I perform. In my shows I do a lot of Broadway, movie and tv show characters so it’s easy to choose my costumes based on the character I am trying to portray.

6. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING DRAG PERFORMERS?

Don’t get in your head, don’t be bitter, stay out of drama and never take yourself too seriously.

7. WHAT ROLE DOES SOCIAL MEDIA PLAY IN YOUR CAREER TODAY COMPARED TO WHEN YOU STARTED?

Social media plays a huge part as people around the world can go online, or go to social media to see your show information or show posters. Years ago or before social media we used to put posters up in Toronto's Gay Village or wherever I was performing. We’d hope and pray people would come.

8. HOW HAVE YOUR PERFORMANCES EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS?

I started my career by only lip syncing in my performances and shows. Over the years I learned how to carry a note, sing LIVE and perform all my songs with live vocals. Makeup went from “hardly any” to “tons of make-up”. Costumes went from the goodwill finds to “custom made” by incredible seamsters like Jose Luis, Jeff Christensen and Richard Ryder. Gidget Galore , Demanda Tension, and Lauren, I’d say it’s changed a lot

9. HOW DO YOU CONNECT WITH YOUR AUDIENCE DURING A PERFORMANCE?

The best way to connect with your audiences is to look them in the eye when you’re performing and listen to them. Just because you love a song doesn’t mean the audience will. Listen to them and make them happy.

10. WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE TO CONVEY THROUGH YOUR ART?

We only get one life, so let’s laugh like school girls and love everyone for who they are.

11. CAN YOU SHARE A FUNNY OR EMBARRASSING MOMENT FROM YOUR PERFORMANCES?

Oh my… Well, the most embarrassing moment was when I was performing at a fundraiser in Houston Texas for the Montrose Center that was presented by Concierge travel. I got food poisoning the day before the show. I have never been so sick! IT is not pretty five minutes before curtain call and you have a drag queen being sick out of both ends. All while I was in full make up and naked in a bathroom.

However, being the person and performer, I am, “the show must go on”. I said to myself, “the audience is here, suck it up and go rock that stage.” Thank lord it was only a 20 min set. I always said a special thank you to everyone who took care of me but that’s one for the books.

12. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SONG OR ROUTINE TO PERFORM AND WHY?

Lip syncing has to be “I Just Wanna Dance “ by Alison Jeare because it was the song I closed every show, every performance at Woody's Bar in Toronto for 15 years. It was that type of song that had everyone dancing and forgetting the world.

Performing and Singing Live, probably has to be “I Am What I am “where I take my make up off onstage to reveal Kevin, the man behind Miss Conception. I like people to see that I am a human just like them. To show that I am proud of who I’ve become because it’s not a world we have to hide in.

13. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUR 25 YEARS OF PERFORMING?

I believe my proudest achievement in my career was to be able to have my mother, Trisha and my Father, Bob by my side for most of my career. My Mom was my best friend. She was so proud to see me on stage making people smile.

My Dad is everything you ever want in a father. Always there for his kids, helping out with their projects. Dad built many of my props over the years. Props like the Kathy Bates bed from the movie “Misery” and so many more. I’m very lucky that I grew up in a safe and loving home.

14. HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR PERSONAL LIFE WITH YOUR CAREER IN DRAG?

They’re honestly kind-of all one. My drag career is 300 days a year of travel, with performances and venues around the world. You’re only hot, when you’re hot, so take advantage of the work. The key is to balance your life, your love life and hopefully retire early.

15. ARE THERE ANY NEW PROJECTS OR PERFORMANCES YOU’RE EXCITED ABOUT?

I’m always writing a new show every year. I'm already working on next year’s / season's show which will be called “Miss Conceptions Monster Mashup”. Taking the most iconic spooky movies and bringing them to life. Such as Joan Crawford, Jaws, SCREAM, The Addams Family, Jurassic Park, The Shining and so many more.

Not to forget to mention this season's show called “Miss Conception: 25th Silver Anniversary Spectacular”. It is a must-see show where I feature 25 years of songs, music and 25 costume changes LIVE on stage. You will love it!

Before I go, please allow me to thank so many people: by:

To all the people who supported me by coming to my shows over the years, giving gracious gratuities, buying a ticket or taking that cruise to see me perform, thank you. Thank you for the love over the last 25 years and to many more to come. To my husband Kieran, I love you more than life itself. Thank you.