I recently had the opportunity to interview Liz Anya. Based out of Columbia, Missouri, she is a country queen who meets a pop diva. Doing many looks from Britney Spears to country realness. Doing drag in a college town gives her an audience that is always ready to hype her up, and she is ready to give you a show.
Transcript of Micro podcast:
I recently had the opportunity to Interview drag queen Liz Anya. Liz, also known as Anthony Brown out of drag, is a performer based in Columbia, Missouri. She is a country queen meets a pop diva. During our interview, I asked her what she believes the purpose of drag is and she had this to say:
Liz Anya: I think Peppermint said it on her season she called drag queens the gatekeepers and the forerunners and the storytellers of the gay community. And Pride is really important to me so I always sort of think that we are sort of the pioneers and the first line of the LGBT community. I’m very passionate about pride and inclusivity and stuff like that and making sure everyone’s voices are heard. In order to sort of make sure everyone’s voices are heard I have to yell the loudest. Do you know what I mean does that make sense?
Ian Hafley: Yeah!
Liz Anya: I always try to make sure that I will speak up for someone else cause I have the loudest voice in the room and people will listen to me first before they might listen to someone else.
Knowing that you have privilege and accepting it is really important especially when we are dealing with marginalized communities in America. Being a drag queen means being an ally to more than just the gay community, it means being an ally to everyone.
Transcript of Interview:
To cite this particular interview, please use the following:
Hafley, Ian. 2021. Interview with Liz Anya. The Art of Drag, SIUE, March 26. Available URL (https://ezratemko.com/drag/liz-anya).
Ian Hafley: Okay. So, when did you first hear about drag, and what was your, like, first reaction to it?
Liz Anya: I, kind of, first heard about drag, I feel like… I don’t know, I can’t really remember honestly. My sister, her gay best friend, she doesn’t say that, but I like to say it just because it’s funny, she… her, her friend was roommates with my, like, eventual drag mom. And so, I would go to, like, their house parties a lot. And, like, my drag mom, Veronika, she had, like, just started. Um, she… excuse me. She would just, like, get drunk, like, blackout drunk, and then, all of a sudden, would show… like, just be in her room for, like, 10 or 15 minutes, then come out in just, like, a wig… oh my god, excuse me. Just, like, a wig and heels and a dress, and that was it. And so, then I found out that she had just started doing drag.
And then, I think that’s when about… that’s about the time when, like, a lot of those seasons of Drag Race were on Hulu. So, that’s, um… so, I think I had just watched Season 6, and that’s the first season that I really liked. And then by, like, Season 7 or 8, I was like, oh, like… oh my god, excuse me. Ooh. So, by, like, 7 or 8 I was, like… and I had gone to, like, a few shows by then of Veronika’s. And so, I was like, “Oh, I could definitely do this.” Oh, sorry, excuse me. Oh my god. I am so sorry. Oh my god.
Ian Hafley: [Unclear].
Liz Anya: Um, and so, by, like, Season 8 I was like, “Oh, I could like definitely do this.” Like, I feel like I’m, like, fairly, kinda funny, Like, I’m… I can’t sing, but, like, I can pretend to sing. Like, I can dance out in the club. So, like, I’ll just like put on a pair of heels and a wig and see what I can do.
And so, that was, sort of, was my first, like, exposure to it. Um, and I was… my kind of reaction was like, oh like, this… obviously it’s, like, difficult, but I was like, “This seems like doable for me. Like, I think I could probably do this.” [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: That’s cool. I’ve never heard anyone describe it as like, “I could do that.” Like, just [inaudible] interesting.
Liz Anya: [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: Um, when did you start performing, and why did you start performing?
Liz Anya: Um, my first performance was I think in, like, August of… what would it be? Like, 2018, I think? No. [Unclear] 2017. Yeah, 2017. Um, no. Yes. I’m so sorry. Um, yeah, it was probably in August 2017. And I started performing just because, like I said, like, I enjoy, like dancing. I’ve ne—I never did theater, but I think I would be a theater gay if I had the exposure. Um, and so, yeah, I just, like, thought it looked like a lot of fun. And I lo– and I, um… And yeah, I mean, I just… it seemed like what I was, sort of, meant to do. So, I was like, “Oh, let me… let me just do this real quick.” So… [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: That’s interesting. Um, sorry, I got lost in thoughts for a second.
Liz Anya: You’re fine. You’re fine.
Ian Hafley: Um, how did, like, your family and your friends and, like, other loved ones react to you becoming a drag artist?
Liz Anya: Um, most of my friends were, like, really okay with it. Um, my family is super cool with it. Like, they’ve been… come to my shows. Um, like, my mom and dad have. I think… um, just ’cause my parents are, like, 60 and 70 years old, um, I think, in their mind, I’m like a… like a crossdresser. So, I think it’s, like, a little weird to them. So, I don’t think they’re, like, telling the world that I’m a drag queen by any means.
But they are super okay with it. Like I said, they’ve come to my shows when they can. I usually have, like, Thursday night shows, and they are, like, real adults. They have real jobs. So, they can’t really come on weeknights. But if I ever have, like, a Friday or a Saturday night show, they’ll try to come. Um, but, yeah, that’s… it was like a pretty, like… they were like, “Oh, okay.” Especially, like, whenever I came out, and then whenever I started doing drag, they were like, “Oh, that makes sense.” [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: Yeah, my parents were, like, the same way when I came out, too. They were like… they were like, “Okay,” like, “that makes…”
Liz Anya: Yeah, they were like… my pa– my mom [unclear] said, “I’ve known since you were three. Love you.” I was, like, “Okay, cool,” like, I figured. [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: I asked my mom that one time. I was like, “Did you always know?” And she was like, “Yeah.” And I was like, “Okay, that’s…”
Liz Anya: Okay, cool, perfect. [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: Um, so, there are a lot of, like, different types and styles of drag from, like, being a queen to, like, a drag king, and then from being just a male impersonator to, like, a comedy queen and all those different types. Like, is there a particular label that you categorize your drag with? And what kind of drag do you do, like, what is your style?
Liz Anya: Um, I would say that… I would argue that I’m like a campy queen, just because I, like, know I don’t look like a real woman, like, I’m very aware. I’m not trying. I don’t think I’ll ever look that convincing. So, in that… so, sort of, like, to react to that, I, sort of, just, like, am… I, I just… I love to, like, walk around the crowd and, kinda, like, get in your face in, like, a funny way. Like, I love to, sort of, like, mess with people. And so, I’m definitely, like, a high-energy performer, um, like, a comedy queen. I’ve, like, hosted a couple of my own shows, and I kinda treat it like stand up, open mic nike… uh, open mic night.
And yeah, like, I’ve recently… not really recently, but one of my first shows, I found this, like, vintage, um, like, cow print skirt at, like, a thrift store in town, in Columbia. And I wore it, and I was like, “Well, what else do you do in a cow print skirt besides the Dixie Chicks?” So, I did a Dixie Chicks number for my… one of my first shows, and everyone called me, like, a country bumpkin. They all made fun of me ’cause I’m from a small town.
And that was, like, a couple years ago when, like, the yee-haw renaissance really was kinda coming back in, like, pop culture and stuff. And so, I just, sort of, like, leaned into it. Because I do enjoy country music. So, I was like, “Oh yeah. So, I’m like… I’m, like, the country queen.” Um, I think my Instagram bio says like, “Country queen… country queen meets pop diva,” ’cause, I mean, Beyonce and Lady Gaga are my number ones, always will be. But yeah, a lot of people have come to always expect, like, some Shania or Dixie Chicks or something at one of my shows. [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: I, I love a good female country song. I can always get down…
Liz Anya: Truly. 100%. [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: Does your type of drag that you do affect your life as an artist in any way?
Liz Anya: Um, not really. I don’t really, like… Um, I would say that since doing drag, I’ve become a lot gayer since starting. And so… and I’ve just become a lot more comfortable with… like, ’cause whenever I’m in drag as Liz, I’m like, “Oh, I am so out of control,” blah blah blah like, “I’m a good time.” Like, I, I kinda this think to myself; I’m not, like, trying to boast, obviously.
So, whenever I, like, am out of drag, and I’m, like, going to work… right now I work at Andy’s Frozen Custard. So, whenever I go to work, I am like, “Oh, I’m still Liz. I’m just not, like, in a wig.” So, it’s like, um, I’m… and I… and I’m not gonna, like, be up in anybody’s face about it, but I’m, like, still pretty flamboyant, like, I’m pretty… I’m still super gay. My customer service voice sounds like a woman, so [laughs] unfortunately, it outs me every time.
But yeah, but… like, I don’t… since I only do drag, like, maybe once or twice… um, like, maybe three times a month now, like, I, I feel like… what did I say the other day? I said something about like, um, “I’m Liz, like, one or two nights a month, but I’m Anthony the rest of the time. But, like, there is not really a big of a divide between the two.” So, yeah, like… so, I’m still, like, pretty out of control as a boy but… [laughs].
Ian Hafley: I get that. I… My customer service voice is so peppy and like…
Liz Anya: It’s so embarrassing. [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: So, embarrassing. Every time, like, somebody else at work hears me, they’re like, “What?” And I’m just like, “What?”
Liz Anya: Yeah. I feel like if I didn’t have, like, facial hair with, like… ’cause I usually have, like, my hair in, like, a bun and stuff, I’ll probably… people probably, like, think I’m, like, a woman or something. Like, they have to think I’m a girl or, like, not all the way there. You know what I mean? [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: Yeah. I completely get that. Um, how… do you have, like, any influences, like, of your… from your drag, like, any people or things in particular?
Liz Anya: Yeah, kind of. So there… like, um, like the old-school drag, that’s, like… they’re, like, pageant based. And so, that’s, sort of, where a lot of the, like, um… like, fringe costumes and rhinestones, blah blah blah. So, like, if it’s, like, um, old-school drag, it’s like big hair out to here, like a fringe leotard with… that’s like rhinestoned to shit, and it’s like, um… so, I really do… And, like, my drag mom, she’s heavily involved in pageantry, so I… so, that’s like a… kind of a really big influence on me, just, like, ’cause it’s always there.
But I always like to… I try to, like, kind of, take inspiration from other things. So, I always… I like to recreate a lot of… like, if I can, um, like looks that, like, popstars have done on tours. So, I’ve recreated a couple of, like, Lady Gaga looks. Um, Orville Peck, he had a music video. In the background, this one girl is wearing, like, cow print chaps and, like, a orange silky-looking leotard with, like, a cape. So, I made that real… so, I made that. And I was really looking forward to that look.
But yeah, and then, like… so, my drag mom started doing Trixie-inspired makeup, like, Trixie Mattel. And so, she had her eyebrows up to here, blue, blue eyeshadow all the way up to here. And she then she, kind of, refined that, and that’s what she looks like now. And so, whenever she was teaching me how to do makeup, she was still, sort of, like, in the middle, like, the middle ground. Um, so I pretty much do what she does, I, like… but she, she doesn’t really use color anymore. So, I, just, like, I almost always do, like, colored eyeshadow. Like, I love to wear blue eyeshadow, I don’t know why. And I usually do, like, pink. Um, or if I’m, like, spooky I do like green. So… [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: So, you mentioned you drag mother. Are you a part, like, of a big family? Or is it just, like, you and your mother? Like, how does it work for you?
Liz Anya: I would say we’re, like, a pretty big family, especially for Columbia, Missouri. We… so… luckily, I don’t have a daughter. I don’t think I’m ever gonna have one. I don’t know who would wanna look like this, but… um, so, I have a drag mom, and then, um… okay, so it’s, kind of confusing because there’s a lot of weird layers but, okay, so, I have a… so, there’s me, my drag mom, Veronika, then her drag mom, Jennica. She lives in Jefferson City which is, like, 30 minutes away from Columbia. And she is, like, the dancing diva of, like, Columbia drag. She is one of the… I think, honestly, one of the best, like, performers that I’ve ever seen.
And so, her drag mom, she lives in Moberly, I think, which is another small town near here. And then her drag mom is, like… lives in Kansas… lives in St. Louis. I’ve only met her once. I, like, didn’t know she existed. She came to a Legends of Missouri Drag show in Columbia once. And so, yeah, like, if… and you could… I could keep going if I knew anyone really past there. But, like, allegedly, you can trace my family lineage back to, like, the Andrews family that Roxxxy Andrews is a member of. I don’t really believe that, but it’s fine.
Ian Hafley: [Laughs]
Liz Anya: Because back in the day there were… like, before social media, in, like, the ’80s and ’90s, there was, um… like, drag was still like pretty underground. So, like, that’s just, sort of, how you kinda, like, got into it. It was just you joined a drag family. And so, in Cape Girardeau and, like, Carbondale, Illinois, there’s some, like, old-school drag that goes on there. And, like, that’s where a lot of, like, big names come from. Like Alexis Mateo, her drag mom I think is from either Carbondale or Cape Girardeau.
Anyway, that wasn’t really your question. Sorry, I, I go on a tangent. But… so, my drag family, they’re pretty big in Columbia. So, Veronika, and then Lisa de la Renta, they’re like sisters, ’cause they have the same drag mom. But I live with Lisa; we’re roommates. And then Veronika’s other drag daughter, Lorilie, we’re, like, really good friends because we started about the same time.
And then my other… my drag mom also, like, adopted someone else recently. Her name’s Bennifer Lopez. So, like, we pretty much hang out almost all the time, ’cause me and Lisa live together, and Veronika and Lorilie live together. So, we always go to each other’s houses. And we… there’s probably, like, three or four main drag families in Columbia, but there’s, like, a lot more drag people. But… so, we’re, like, I would argue, one of the more prominent ones, just because you can, kind of, like, tell we really love what we do. And yeah… so yeah, it’s pretty big, but it’s no, like, Iman dynasty by any means, so… [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: I… like, I grew up in Columbia. I was, like, born and raised there. And I, like, I moved away before I learned about drag and all that stuff. And it’s just interesting to hear about it now, like, hearing that there is a whole drag thing happening there, just because, like, I never thought it was the town for that [overtalking].
Liz Anya: No, really.
Ian Hafley: But it actually is, and I realize that now that I’m older.
Liz Anya: Mm-hmm. Yeah, I went… I just went to Sephora to get, like, some more makeup, and I basically just was like, “Yeah, I’m a drag queen, so it doesn’t have to look good. It just has to, like, be dark.” And all the girls there were like, “Oh my god, you’re drag… you’re a drag queen. Oh my god, blah blah blah.” I think they had all just moved from, like, Kansas City or St. Louis. So, they were like, “I figured Columbia was so small, it didn’t have a drag scene, blah blah blah.” And I was like, “Oh no, I am the drag scene” So… [laughs] I’m just kidding. But yeah, no one ever really expects it.
Ian Hafley: Yeah, that’s… it’s surprising, but, like, good.
Liz Anya: Yeah, right, exactly. [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: Yeah. What goes into, into getting ready for a performance for you?
Liz Anya: Um, usually, I have to work the same day. So, it’s like, I usually I get off work around five. And then I usually, like, shave, and then I, like, take a shower, and then I hope to be done with that by, like, 6:30 or seven. ‘Cause I like to, you know, kind of, be [unclear] around and, like, take my time.
And so… and then if I, like, sit down, I try to give myself about an hour and a half to two hours to do my makeup. And then after that, it’s… and I’m usually, like, listening to music the whole time. And then I’m usually in the same show as Lisa. So, we, sort of, like, play music on the TV or something just to, like, fill the whole house with music and stuff. And then I’ll, like, get in body, I’ll put my pads and stuff like that on. And then, we’re usually done by then. I’ll, like, put on my finishing touches, like, lashes and a wig and stuff like that. Then I’m usually good to go. Like, I’ll drive in my, my big wig and heels, so I mean… [laughs]
Ian Hafley: Good. What’s, like, the biggest challenge of doing drag and being a drag artist?
Liz Anya: I would say right now it’s definitely COVID. It’s just been… like, ’cause we were supposed to have this big drag bar open last year after Yin Yang closed. And then, just because of COVID it kept getting slowed down. And now it’s been… it’s been like a year since Yin Yang closed, but now it’s probably gonna be ano… like, one year since Yin Yang closed, now it’s probably gonna be a year of… like, when the new bar was supposed to open. So, it’s probably gonna open in late summer, like, this year, and it was supposed to open late summer last year. So, that definitely been an issue.
And then, also, just because of COVID we haven’t had… been able to have very big crowds which is, like, obviously, fine. So, it’s just been difficult to, sort of… ’cause, like, one of our last shows, it got sold out in, like, 10 minutes because of, like, the lower capacity. And I think my drag mom said she had to turn away like 40 people. So, like, to me, I’m such a nice person, like, oh, I feel bad they couldn’t come, like, oh my god. And so, like, in my mind, I’m like, “Oh well, not everyone gets to see what we have to offer right now.” So, that’s a little annoying.
And then, also, just everyone expects you to, like, want to be on Drag Race, and that’s a little frustrating. Like, I’m down to go on Drag Race. I think I’d be pretty okay at it. But they see all these, like, drag queens on TV who have, like, a buttload of money, and they see me in, like, my little stretch velvet dress, and I’m like… that I made myself the day of and, um… Like, they get that I’m not there yet, but it’s just frustrating that… you can tell that they, sort of, expect more, which is a little frustrating. I say that’s, honestly, about it, so… [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: Yeah. Because of, like, Drag Race they’ve expected, like, bigger budgets.
Liz Anya: Oh 100%, yeah. And I get paid, like, maybe… I used to get paid, like, $25 a show. So, I was like, “Oh yeah, I’ll definitely be able to go buy that $400 wig you want me to wear.” Like… [laughs]
Ian Hafley: Yeah. Like, they don’t… they didn’t… like, there’s the disconnect between, like, the, the famous drag queen and then, like, the local drag queen [overtalking].
Liz Anya: For sure. For sure.
Ian Hafley: Yeah. Is there anything unique about doing drag in Columbia from other places?
Liz Anya: Um, I don’t know. I think just ’cause we’re a college town it’s, sort of, um… like, we’ll always have a new crowd every, like, four years. And, I mean, yeah, just because we don’t have, like, huge… like, nobody is ever really [unclear] become like a full-time drag queen in Columbia just ’cause we, we don’t have… Like, even when Yin Yang was open or SoCo was open before that, which was, like, pretty successful, there’s no way you can.
So, I mean, like, nobody is ever gonna be able to, sort of, be built up to that level, which kind of sucks. But, I mean, that just means we, sort of, like, appreciate what we have, and we, sort of, like, hustle extra hard just to make sure that we can compete with, like, other pe– like big city queens, like St. Louis or Kansas City. Um, yeah, I mean… I wouldn’t say that that’s like a challenge, but it’s definitely, like, since we are so close-knit, like we are… like, there’s a lot of fighting going on right now, sort of, in the… in the drag community in Columbia. But we will always, like, have each other’s backs. So, that’s always good ’cause… since we are, like, so, kind of, tight-knit.
Ian Hafley: So, like, is most of your crowd that comes out, like, college students?
Liz Anya: Oh, for sure. Yeah, especially now that we’ve been able to perform downtown again. It’s been a lot more… like, it’ll be like the regulars who used to come to Yin Yang and stuff. So, they’ll be, like, a few of our friends that we know, but it’s mostly, like, straight girls, honestly, so… [laugh].
Ian Hafley: When you are in and out of drag, what pronouns do you use? Do you change it, or do they stay the same?
Liz Anya: Yeah, I change it. So, out of drag, I’m he/him, and then in drag, I’m she/her. But I really don’t care if people call me either one in drag. Like, a lot of my… like, my drag family, they… if I joke, if I’m like, “You’re just a man,” like, they get offended if we’re, like, hanging out on a couch on, like, a Tuesday. Like, they’re like, “I’m a woman.” But, they’re not really. Like, they’re completely, like, a boy outside of drag. But yeah, so, like, if someone calls me a man in drag, I’ll be like, “Yeah, you’re right.” And if someone calls me she/her out of drag, I’m like, “Yeah your right, girl, Let’s do it.” So, it’s like… it really doesn’t bother me at all.
Ian Hafley: Yeah. That’s a good way to see it, too, just, like, whatever
Liz Anya: Yeah. Like, I’m a boy, and then sometimes I’m a boy in a wig. So, like, whatever you wanna call me, like, I’m… [laughs]
Ian Hafley: Yeah. Has drag influenced your sex and gender identities at all?
Liz Anya: Probably. Yeah, just because I am more comfortable, like… like, I, I really don’t think I’ll ever, like, want to transition or anything like that. Like, I don’t think I’ll ever be in that position. But yeah, I mean, yeah, like I said, I don’t care if someone calls me a girl. I’m like, “Oh yeah, cool.” [Laughs] And then… I mean, yeah, like, I’ll still… I will always be, like, a man, but I`ll definitely… like, I’m definitely more comfortable with everything now. Like, I… um, like, the Kinsey scale or whatever, like, I’m definitely okay with leaning more towards the female side now. And yeah noth—like, it really doesn’t bother me at all, so… [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: Has drag influenced how you think about gender overall?
Liz Anya: Definitely. Because I know a lot of people who have started drag, and then they’ll, sort of, realize that maybe they are nonbi– nonbinary, maybe they do want to, like, transition and stuff. So, I mean, it’s definitely opened my eyes to… and, like, I’ve even experienced that as well I’m like, “Oh, what is a boy, and what is a girl?” So, it’s, like, who really… literally, like, who cares? And yeah, so I know plenty of people who are nonbi– nonbinary and, like, still perform as like a girl in drag. And yeah, so, I mean, yeah, it’s definitely, like, changed my outlook on it for sure.
Ian Hafley: Interesting. Have your sex and gender identities influenced your drag in any way?
Liz Anya: Not really. Like I… Liz is definitely, like, female-presenting. I mean, I’ll do, like, a boy song and stuff like that. And some people don’t like that ’cause it… like, a lot of people don’t… not a lot, but some people don’t like when female drag queens… female drag queens do, like, boy songs. Like, I did a Journey song a couple weeks ago, and I did a Bon Jovi song. ‘Cause it’s, like, what… like, like I… like I’ve said, it’s, like, what’s the point? Like, I mean, I’m still a boy dressed as a girl, so it doesn’t really matter. But, yeah, I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily a… I wouldn’t say I’ve, like, influenced it, but Liz has influenced me, so I mean… [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: Interesting. Has drag impacted your confidence as a person when you’re out of drag?
Liz Anya: Oh, definitely. Like, I mean, I’ve always been a fairly confident person. Like, I really don’t get embarrassed easily. So, I think that’s, sort of, why I can do drag. It’s… ’cause I’m like… I’ll go on stage and, like, “Oh, somebody, somewhere is gonna like it.” So, it’s affects… um, and… affected my confidence, just because whenever I, sort of, walk anywhere, like, all my drag family, they’re… like, I always hang out with Lisa, Loralie, and Veronika. They’re just like, “Oh well, Liz just walks with her chest everywhere. Like, she just struts everywhere. Blah blah blah!” And I’m like, “Okay, so, like, why don’t you?” Like, I mean, like…
‘Cause we’re all… like, everyone else is.. they’re all super confident in drag, but out of drag, they’re not. I would argue that they’re not the most confident. But I’m, kind of, the opposite. I’m like… I’m definitely… I feel like… I always feel a little less confident in drag just because I feel like I still have a lot to learn, so I don’t… I can’t really… I’m not really offering everything that I know yet. You know what I mean? But out of drag, I’m like, “What are you gonna do about it? Like, oh my god.” Like, what’s gonna…? If someone’s gonna hit me, like, because I’m like… ’cause I’m… like, I’m not scared of getting gay-bashed. It’s like, “Okay, well, I’ll try to beat them up back. Like, nothings gonna happen.”
But, like, if you walk in with a purpose, no one’s gonna mess with you. So, like, that’s just what I do, I walk… I walk… I, like, strut in the grocery store, so nobody, like, like steps to me. Like, I, I don’t think it will ever happen, but, like, you… if you just go around not very confident, like, kind of, like, scared of the world, like something might happen to you then that’s like… I don’t know. I don’t really know where I’m going with that one, but oh well. [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: I mean, I, Iunderstand where you were going. That made sense to me.
Liz Anya: Okay. Cool, cool, cool. [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: Okay. Now, the next question is the classic final three question from Drag Race. If you could go back in time as Liz, what advice would Liz give to your younger self?
Liz Anya: I don’t know. I mean, prob– like the… probably, like, the basic, like, “It’s gonna get better. Everyone already knows.” Like honestly, like, I probably wish I would have come out in high school. So, like, I probably would’ve told younger Anthony to, like, just come out already ’cause, honestly, everybody already knows. And then, I mean, yeah, I wish I was like a better dancer, so maybe I would tell myself to, like, enroll… literally, like, enroll in a dance class, even though there weren’t any good dance classes in Booneville. But I would just tell… encourage myself to, like, come out more and, sort of, embrace my… or, like, more artistic side, for sure, just because I feel like that could really help my drag now.
Ian Hafley: Interesting. Take a dance class, that’s funny.
Liz Anya: Right. [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: I always tell myself that too. I, I said, “You could have been better.”
Liz Anya: Literally. [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: Not [unclear] every time I dance, but whatever. [Laughs] Have any of your social identities impacted your experience of drag in any way? Like, any social identities that you have, like, gender, race, class, religion, sexuality, disability, geography, location, any of that stuff. Has that impacted your drag at all?
Liz Anya: I would argue that… like I said being from a small town, so I do, like, love country music. Um, I don’t love but I like it. ‘Cause I… like, my mom listened to it a lot growing up, and obviously, it was always all around me. So, like, definitely being from a small town has affected my drag. And I’m very okay with, like, you know, doing country numbers and, like, looking up, sort of, country stuff and, like, just… and I can see and appreciate where they are coming from, you know what I mean?
And I would… and I always told, like, my sister, whenever I first started, I was like, “Yeah, and being like a mediocre white gay, like, I had a good amount of friends. So, like, people would come to see my shows at first. So, that, honestly, always helps. And I’m aware of it, I’m aware of my privilege. It’s fine.
And, let’s see, any of those other [unclear]. Yeah, I mean, like I said, being a cisgendered white gay person has definitely helped. And then, being from a small town has definitely shaped my… honestly, like, my entire drag aesthetic. So, I’m always thankful for that. I think that’s probably it, honestly. I’m trying to remember all the words you said. So… [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: Oh, a lot of them, like, they were probably… were just like extra fillers.
Liz Anya: Right, yeah, yeah, yeah. [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: It’s fine. That was a… that was a good answer.
Liz Anya: Oh, thank god. [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: There’s only, like, six more questions, so we’re almost done!
Liz Anya: Yeah, you’re good. No, you’re fine.
Ian Hafley: How do you define drag, like, personally?
Liz Anya: Um, I don’t know, personally, like, for Liz… Liz’s personal drag is definitely, like, female-presenting, always, like, pretty cooky. Um, but, like, overall drag is whatever you want it to be. Like, I really do think that. Like, my little sister, Bennifer, she does… like, or… and my drag grandma, she did, like, bearded drag and she… like, she started out not doing bearded drag, but then… but she loves to, like, be different. So, she’s like, “What gonna make me different? Okay.” So, she, like, grew a big old beard, and, like, started doing bearded drag all the time.
And so, then, my, like… like I said, my little sister, she definitely does, like, they/them drag, like, boy out of drag, but, like, they/them in drag sort of thing. She definitely wears… like, she keeps her beard on, she doesn’t really wear pads or anything. Like, she’ll have, like, her hairy boy legs out and, like, a pair of fishnets. And definitely, like, um… definitely, sort of, like, nonbinary, um, and… or androgyny, that’s the more appropriate word, I guess. Androgyny, androgynously ex– inspired? I don’t know if that’s a real word, but oh well. So, like, literally, do whatever you wanna do. Like, whatever you wanna… If it… just make sure it’s good, honestly, like… [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: What do you think the purpose of drag is?
Liz Anya: Um, I… Like, I think… I think… maybe Peppermint said it on her season, she called drag queens, like… sort of, like the gatekeepers and like the forerunners and like the storytellers of, like, the gay community. So, I… And, like, pride is really important to me, so I always, sort of, think that we are, sort of, like, the pioneers and, like, the first line of the LGBT community. Like, I always… I’m very passionate about pride and, like, inclusivity and, like, stuff like that, and making sure that everyone’s voices are heard. And in order to, sort of, make sure everyone’s voices are heard, I have to yell the loudest. You know what I mean? If… Does that make sense?
Ian Hafley: Yeah.
Liz Anya: So, I always try to make sure that I will speak up for someone else ’cause I have the loudest voice in the room, and people will listen to me first before they might listen to someone else.
Ian Hafley: So, ba—like, that was a really good statement. So, basically, what you mean by that is because you have this privilege as a white, cisgendered man, you wanna speak louder for minorities who can’t… who won’t be as heard as loudly by others who, like…?
Liz Anya: Exactly. Yeah.
Ian Hafley: I like that. That was really good.
Liz Anya: Thank you.
Ian Hafley: Do you think drag is sexual at all? Why or why not?
Liz Anya: I don’t think my drag is. I think drag can be, but I… but I don’t think that I’m, like, a very sexy person in or out of drag. So, I’m, like, not… like, it’s… I always… Like, that’s kinda why I do get self-conscious in drag sometimes, is because I know I’m not very pretty. So, I think, like, me wearing, like, a bunch of… like, pairs of tights, I’m, like, trying to pull over at my waist, ’cause I’m just kinda squishy sometimes. So, I don’t think I’m sexy in drag at all, but if you want to do it, you can. Like, I don’t think… like, everyone always, sort of, assumes that I’m, like, down to clown, but I am, in fact, not. So, I don’t… I think the ge– people generally think that it is, but I don’t really think it is inherently sexual.
Ian Hafley: Interesting. I could… I could… I can see that, ’cause some people, they make it very much like their aesthetic to be, like, pretty woman, like, I’m [unclear] a stripper woman. And then some people just… it’s just interesting to see different styles and how, like, that all plays out. How do you feel about RuPaul’s Drag Race as a show?
Liz Anya: I think it’s great television. I think it’s so fun. And, like, I do get inspired a lot by them as well. I do see, like, the pros and cons, obviously. Like, RuPaul is semi-problematic sometimes. Some of the queens he casts are problematic sometimes, definitely. But, I mean, at the end of the… but it really is just a great way to, sort of, showcase drag as an art form, ’cause I think a lot of people don’t really see it as that way until they honestly do see, like… until they do watch Drag Race. So, I think they do think it’s a bunch of, like, cross-dressers who are—like, cross-dressing sex workers who are just out on the prowl, blah blah blah. But I don’t think a lot of people do see it as, like, a real… like, a real, formidable sort of art form and, like, possible career. But, yeah, the drama is great, you know what I mean? So, it’s always a good time. [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: Yeah, it’s so… it’s so entertaining that there’s…
Liz Anya: [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: There’s so many things that… it’s like little one-liners or, like, something like that… something like that.
Liz Anya: Literally. [Overtalking] I got my… I got my mom, like, obsessed with it, I think during All Stars… like, the last one, so what was that, 5? My mom… like, I watched it in front of my mom once, and she… like, the next week she texted me, she said, “Oh my god, Anthony, I’m obsessed with Drag Race. I’m watching it again.” And then I think she started watching Season 13 too. And I was like “Oh.” Like, she just randomly texted me while… like, we were… while it was on. She said, “I can’t understand a word Kandy Muse is saying.” I was like, “Oh my god.” [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: If you could change one thing about drag, the drag community, or the drag scene, what would it be and why?
Liz Anya: Hmm… I don’t know, this is sort of… hmm. I don’t know. I mean, like, I obviously… like, it can be pretty competitive and, kind of, see you next Tuesday-ish. So, I don’t know if I’m allowed to say that word on a school project. But I think if everyone would just, like, be a little nicer, like… and I’m sure if you ask someone, I’m not the nicest. I try to be, I always try to be super nice to everyone. But since there is, like, a big, sort of, drag feud in Columbia right now, people might not agree with that statement, but oh well.
But definitely, if we just, sort of, tried to be nicer to everyone and, like, definitely try to uplift everyone, I think that would definitely be a better situation for everyone. Because, in the beginning, you, sort of, do get, um… like, you’re not gonna look good in the first… your first time in drag. It’s a God-given fact, everyone is gonna look awful. And there’s… but there’s a better way to tell a baby queen that they don’t look good than just being like, “Wow F off, you look terrible.” You know what I mean? Like, there’s like… I think if we gave more constructive criticism than just tearing other… like, tearing new queens down… ’cause that’s, like, why a lot of people don’t, kind of, make it because they like… like, people are just so mean to them in the be– in the beginning that they just don’t wanna do it anymore. [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: Yeah. That’s why I’ve never, like, tried to do drag before because gay men terrify me.
Liz Anya: [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: What do you think are some misconc– goodness, oh goodness. What do you think are some misconceptions people have about drag, and where do they come from?
Liz Anya: I don’t know, definitely like… like I said, people always think that I’m like a cross-dressing sex worker, which is, like, not the case at all. And I think just because so many trans women do need to, like, turn to sex work just to make a living, I think that’s, sort of, where that stems from. And, like, I wish that wasn’t the case, obviously, but, like, yeah, people… like, there is this guy in town who always trying to, like, make moves at me, and I’m always very uncomfortable. Just because, like, I am not gonna look good once I take all this off. So, you know what I mean? So, like, I am gonna be a sweaty, greasy mess, and my hair is gonna be, like, glued down, like, you don’t wanna see that.
But definitely, like, people think that it’s… I think people do think it is inherently sexual, and I think that’s an issue. Just because… I mean, that is like… that is a potentially, like, dangerous situation for, like, another drag queen to be in. Because, like, if [unclear] me, like, a cisman, all of a sudden, someone is trying to, like, get with me, that’s a scary situation for anyone involved.
Other sort of misconceptions… I think… Like, I… Like I said, I’m a very nice person in and out of drag. I think another misconception is that we’re all so rude and like… I mean, my drag mom she paints in, sort of, a, um… a sort of, like, standoffish way. And so, I think people think that she is just a raging bitch, which is, like, not always the case. So, like, [laughs] I think people just need to, sort of, realize that, like, we are nice people. Like, we are still nice people underneath all that makeup. So, you know what I mean? [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: They said the same thing about Pearl on Season 7.
Liz Anya: Right.
Ian Hafley: They said she [unclear] a bitch face. [Laughs] If you chose one thing you want, like, every– everyone to know about drag, or learn about drag, what would it be?
Liz Anya: Um, hmm… That, like, it’s not as easy as it looks. Like, I like to think I’m making it look effortless but, like, it’s hard. It really is. I think… I think Miz Cracker said one time that, like, a standing drag… like, just a resting position, like, standing drag queen is actively doing more than someone walking down the street, like sprinting, like going on a run or something. Like, I am actively doing more than you are. You know what I…? So, it’s, like, really hard to, like… it’s like really hard.
And just support local drag. Like, it’s easy to sit down on your couch and watch it on TV or, like, on YouTube or blah blah blah. But like, obviously, this is pandemic, so don’t go out that much, but pre/post-pandemic, like, go out and watch it in person. Like, it’s so much fun, it really is just so much fun.
Ian Hafley: It is. I’ve only been to one drag show my entire life. I know, it is really sad, I know. And I wanted to start going to more, but then the world ended. [Laughter]
Liz Anya: It happens.
Ian Hafley: Now I don’t do anything.
Liz Anya: Yeah. Very fair. If I’m not doing drag, I literally don’t do anything either, so it’s like… [Laughs]
Ian Hafley: Yeah. Okay, that was all the questions I had, so the interview is over. So, thank you so much for that. That was really good.
Liz Anya: Oh, of course, yeah.
Ian Hafley: Yeah, I don’t think I need anything else from you. If I do, I’ll just, like, text you or something about it.
Liz Anya: Cool, perfect. Yeah, go for it.
Ian Hafley: Okay, we’re done. Thank you so much.
Liz Anya: Okay, cool. You’re welcome. Bye.
Ian Hafley: [Unclear].