Sofonda Cox is a queen from Springfield, MO. While pursuing an education in Dance, Sofonda found her love for doing drag. Mixing drag into the new age, she can be found on TikTok and YouTube in drag, but she also occasionally can be found in the club.
Transcription of above micro-podcast
Interviewer: On the topic of TikTok, we can bring it up because like, do you think that’s like, cause I see like a lot of queens I’ve never seen before in my entire life on there, like, what’s your opinion on doing drag through Tik Tok?
Sofonda: Well for the longest time I hated Tik Tok. Like, my sister tried to get me to get a TikTok forever, and I was like, no that’s dumb I don’t care about that. And then when I finally downloaded it, I was obsessed within a couple of days. So for me it’s been great because its kind of forcing me to get into drag, and forcing me to create content without being very nitpicky and making sure I have a full costume. Like I can just play around and put this on Tik Tok and it doesn’t really matter. But, um, I do think that the platform is amazing because so many people can just get their content out there, and even if they’re not followed by a lot of people, It can still works its way onto peoples for you page. Or, just like the way of, um, getting exposure is so different to like compare to any other app I feel like.
Interview with Sofonda Cox
To cite this particular interview, please use the following:
Harris, Joshua. 2021. Interview with Sofonda Cox. Sociology of Drag, SIUE. April 6. Available URL (https://ezratemko.com/drag/sofonda-cox).
Joshua: Hello
Sofonda: Hello. How are you?
Joshua: I am good. How are you doing?
Sofonda: I’m doing great, you know? It’s a regular Tuesday.
Joshua: Okay, I’m trying to set up my audio real quick
Sofonda: Okay.
Joshua: Okay. Can you hear me?
Sofonda: Yeah. I can hear you fine.
Joshua: Okay. Alright, great.
Sofonda: AndI’m, like, [overtalking]
Joshua: Okay,hi, I’m Josh.
Sofonda: Hi, nice to meet you. I’m Sofonda Cox.
Joshua: Nice to meet you too. Love the… love it, love the name. Alright. So, hi guys, I am here with Sofonda Cox, and we are gonna to do a drag interview for the Art of Drag. Okay? So, I think we are gonna get started with the questions!
Sofonda: Perfect.
Joshua: Alright. First one, when did you first hear about drag, and what was your initial reaction to it?
Sofonda: Um, I think I was a sophomore in high school, um, when one of my friends came up to me and was like, “Have you ever heard of RuPauls Drag Race? I think you’d love it.” [Laughs] And so, I think it was Season 5 when I first started watching. And oh my god, I just loved it right away. You know, I was like I stan Jinkx Monsoon and felt like very… I could identify with her. Um, so, that’s, kind of, how it started. And then, I went to college, and I’m here in Springfield, Missouri. And so, I saw, like… there’s like a ton of Springfield drag. I saw Crystal Methyd perform, I, like, got into the whole gig that way.
Joshua: Oh!
Sofonda: Yeah.
Joshua: That’s awesome!
Sofonda: Um, yeah, so that’s, kind of, how I got started off, just through, through the show, and then, like, local drag here. And then, once I started doing drag, I ended up, like, figuring out ways that I could incorporate my love of music, and the fact that I was a dance major, I could, kind of, put all of that together in my performances. And so, that’s, kind of, why it really stuck with me as more than just a hobby. It was like, oh, I love this. I can put all of my interests together.
Joshua: Right. Okay so I’m gonna piggyback off that a little bit. So, you’re a dance major, so I’m going to assume maybe some musical theatre background?
Sofonda: Yeah. So, I actually auditioned for the musical theatre program at Missouri State. And they were like, “Um, that’s maybe not the right place for you, but we will put you in the dance program, and you can always, like, re-audition later, whatever, if you want to.” So, I was like, uh, fine, I guess I’ll take dance classes or whatever. But it ended up being pretty much exactly what I wanted to do.
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: Like,I ended up falling in love with it. I was working more on, like… ’cause I have a, a music minor too, so I was writing songs and trying to do the whole, like, music video, choreography route.
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: And, yeah, it ended up working out perfect.
Joshua: Yeah. So, I did see on your Instagram that you are a ballerina of sorts. You’re… you do ballet. Is that like, like a dance style that you like to showcase in your drag a lot?
Sofonda: Um, not really, honestly.
Joshua: Yeah?
Sofonda: It’s kind of hard. So, the only ways that I’ve really been able to do drag have been, like, at the club, you know, on stage, in front of everyone…
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: Or digitally. I did, like, a YouTube show. We, kind of, filmed our own stuff and submitted it and had, like, a compilation there.
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: Um, but I guess, in both of those cases, I haven’t really done the whole ballet thing. But I definitely would if I could. I did make… so, in order to graduate with my dance degree, I made music videos as, like, my final project. And, um, so I did some ballet in there as Joe, but then I also incorporated Sofonda into, into separate scenes. So, she hasn’t done it herself, but I would in the future.
Joshua: Yeah. She will one day, that’s all that matters.
Sofonda: Yes, in the future, for sure.
Joshua: Awesome. Okay, next question. When did you start performing as a drag artist and why?
Sofonda: Um, I started three years ago, and it’s pretty much just because I had friends who were already involved in it, So, um, uh, my freshman year I lived in the dorms in Scholars House, which was, like, for the honors’ kids. Yeah. But there was another person there who was a musical theater major, and, um, like, we quickly became good friends. And then, that was, like, I went to my first drag performance with her, and watched her in drag, and, like, kind of, saw her flourish. And so, I was like “Oh, I wanna do this.” And eventually, made more friends in the scene, kind of, worked my foot in. And so, then, when one of them asked me to perform, I was like, “Okay, sure, I’ll make my debut, I’ll get on stage.” And it’s, kind of, been history from there.
Joshua: Awesome. Okay. How did your family, friends and other loved ones receive you becoming a drag artist?
Sofonda: [Laughs] Um, good question. My family is… so, a little background, I guess, on them. They’re like… um, we, we all grew up in Saint Louis together, did the whole, like, private, catholic school growing up. I went to an all-boys’ Jesuit high school. So, that was, like, very, um, my path. And so, then, when I came to college, I, kind of, found some distance from that and was able to explore drag more on my own, you know? And so, I think because of that, it was a bit of a point of contention between my family and I, just for… at the beginning, ’cause I don’t think they really quite understood what I was doing or if it was, like…
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: Gender expression, or if it was just art, kind of, hobby situation. Um, because they just, like, aren’t very exposed to drag, and stuff like that.
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: But, um, so we’ve, kind of, just, like, worked through it and talked about it, and we’re just very open and communicating about it now. But, um, yeah, kind of, the reason that they were first exposed to it is because of that senior project. Like, I wanted to let them in on all the work that I’ve been doing her. Like, I choreographed these and wrote these songs, um, but then, there was Sofonda. [Laughs]
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: And so, after they watched it, a lot of them were like, “Oh, the songs were great, and the dancing was great,” but, kind of, like, not addressing the drag part. But it at least, kind of, started the conversations for us.
Joshua: Right. So, where does your drag name come from?
Sofonda: Um, well, I first… my first drag name was gonna be Galaxxi Gale, Galaxxi with two X’s in it and an I at the end.
Joshua: Cool, love that.
Sofonda: [Laughs]And the reason for that was because, um, my friends and I would go to Starbucks and, like, try to have them write down the most ridiculous name, you know? Like…
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: Um, one of them is like, “My name is Glitter,” and she got the cup that said Glitter on it and saved it. And so, then, when I went up, I said, “My name’s Galaxxi with two X’s and an I at the end.” And, I mean, we were, like, teenagers; we thought it was so hilarious. But then, when I started doing drag, I was like, “Galaxxi, that’s perfect.” Um, so, it was that for a second. But the, the more I started doing drag and, like, performing and coming up with this character and personality for her, I was like, “Sofonda Cox, is perfect.” Like, it’s hilarious; it lets people know that I’m… don’t take myself too seriously. It’s, kind of, got that drag queen humor, pun situation.
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: And, um, yeah, I just thought it fit.
Joshua: Yeah. Alright. So, there are a lot of terms for types and styles of drag. Are there any particular labels that you would choose to characterize your drag?
Sofonda: Um, not really. I feel like, um, drag race, kind of, gives people the idea of, like, the comedy queen versus the pageant queen. And, um, in my experience, I haven’t even really even seen that, that dichotomy there. ‘Cause the girls at the club, you know, when you show up there with the other girls, and we are getting ready in the dressing room before we go on stage, it’s like… everyone’s, kind of, just doing their own thing, you know? Some girls are singing live because that’s what they’re interested in. Some girls are lip-syncing, but they are more focused on the dancing, you know? So, I, kind of, feel like, um, the labels don’t really apply these days. Or, or at least, to me, it, it doesn’t… it doesn’t feel like it applies that much, because anyone can do whatever they want in drag.
Joshua: Mm-hmm. Do you feel like those labels are so prevalent only because of RuPaul’s Drag Race?
Sofonda: I do think that that does play a part, yeah. Or at least, um, the idea of, like, being a fishy queen versus a campy queen. There’s still, like, that kind of, um, divide there.
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: And I do think that Drag Race has something to do with that. Because in the real world, it’s like… I’ve seen girls show up to the club, um, in, like, the biggest paint ever one night, and then, the next night, they show up looking really natural and subdued. And I’m like, you can just explore all ends of the spectrum, and not have to, like, label it.
Joshua: Yeah. Okay. Do you consider your drag political? Why or why not?
Sofonda: Yeah, good question. I think, I wouldn’t necessarily, um, go out of my way to make a political statement. Like, usually, the numbers that I make are just, you know, dancing or singing or performing and making people happy, trying to be fun, you know? But, um, I think it is RuPaul who said, “Drag itself is a political statement,” and, like, just the act of making queer art makes it, like, a part of our history and representation as, like, a culture, as a community.
Joshua: Right. Mm-hmm.
Sofonda: So, I feel like, yeah, all drag is political, and at the same time, it’s not, because, like, we’re all just hanging out, have a good… having a good time at the club, you know?
Joshua: Right. Okay. So, are you a part of any drag family or any drag collective right now at the moment?
Sofonda: No. I taught myself, or watched YouTube tutorials, or just played around with the sewing machine, and, kind of, just figured it out on my own, But I feel like, nowadays, you don’t have to have full a drag family or, like, be taught by someone, as long as you find, you know, friends or other drag artists that you can, kind of, fit into a group with.
Joshua: Mm-hmm. Do you feel like, uh, like, nowadays, that that is, like, like, kind of, a new way that… you know, like, the old ways of drag was you… like, you, kind of, need a family to start, ’cause you don’t know what you are gonna be doing.
Sofonda: Uh-huh.
Joshua: But now, it’s, oh, you can find a YouTube video. Do you think that’s the case?
Sofonda: Well, yeah, definitely. And especially with quarantine, like…
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: I feel like there’s a whole new genre of drag queens who are, like, the quarantine queens. You know, they just were sitting around with free time. They started experimenting with makeup.
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: And, like, you can Amazon a dress to your house in two days. So it’s like… with technology, I feel like anyone can do drag.
Joshua: Yeah. Very much an open art form now.
Sofonda: Uh-huh
Joshua: Okay, How often do you perform and where?
Sofonda: Um, I perform live, like, very sporadically. I think ’cause I’m more of a perfectionist, and by starting out doing drag with that senior project and, like, making music videos, I, kind of, got more into the idea of doing drag for films. So, like, being very detail-oriented, taking months working on a costume…
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: And, like, putting it all together for a very, like, professional-looking video. And so, now I’m just, kind of, sort of, starting to do live performances again. Um, but it’s still been pretty sporadic, like, once a month, maybe. And, um, so, yeah, that’s pretty much it. But I do my makeup or, like, get into costume probably once a week just to film TikToks, honestly. [Laughs]
Joshua: Ah, yeah, that’s very valid. Like, you…
Sofonda: Right, yeah.
Joshua: On the topic of TikTok, we can bring it up, because, like, do you think that’s like…? Like, ’cause I see a lot of queens I’ve never seen before in my entire life on there. Like, I think it’s like… like, what’s your opinion on doing drag through TikTok?
Sofonda: Well, for the longest time, I hated TikTok. Like, my sister tried to get me to get a TikTok forever, and I was like, “No that’s dumb. I don’t care about that.” And then, when I finally downloaded it, I was, like, obsessed within a couple of days, you know? So, for me, it’s been great because it’s, kind of, been forcing me to get in drag, and forcing me to…
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: Create content without being really nitpicky and making sure I have a full costume or whatever. And, like, I can just play around and put this out on TikTok, and it doesn’t really matter.
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: But, um, I do think that the platform is amazing because so many people can just get their content out there. And even if they’re not followed by a lot of people, it can still work its way onto people’s For You page, or just, like, the way of, um, getting exposure is so different to… like, compared to any other app, I feel like.
Joshua: Right. Mm-hmm. Okay. Oh, so, we, kind of, touched on it a little, like, speaking of quarantine, how has that, like, affected performing, like, COVID-19? Like, when you perform live, how has that affected, like, the situation?
Sofonda: Yeah. Um, it is, kind of, different in every venue, I feel like, you know? Or in every city, they have different restrictions, or in every, um… like, even different parts of the cities. So, um, performing live is just, kind of, weird in general. For me, I’m like… I feel pretty safe; I perform with a clear mask on. Um, the place that I perform in Springfield, they have, like, buckets out for tips, instead of, like, mingling with the audience, you know?
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: So, it definitely feels like people have been adapting and figuring out a new way of dealing with the situation. Um, but I think the… yeah, the, the best thing, or, like, maybe the most notable change to come out of quarantine is just, like, the online presence. With TikTok and with YouTube videos, like, everyone is able to have some outlet of drag, whether it’s digitally or just doing their makeup or whatever, it’s like… it’s become a lot more adaptable, I think.
Joshua: Right. Okay. Um, so we’re, kind of, gonna get a little more sociological here.
Sofonda:Okay.
Joshua: So, how do you identify in terms of your sex, gender identity, and gender expression out of drag?
Sofonda: Gotcha. Yeah, I think, um, for me, it’s always been a little fluid, or just, kind of, ballpark areas. Like, I’ve never really pinpointed anything down, just because, to me, I’m more of, like, an open person, I guess. I don’t think, um, that that really matters as much. But, anyway, I would say that I’m genderfluid or gender nonconforming. But I do identify as male, and I use masculine pronouns most of the time. So, just, kind of, a preference there. And then, sexual orientation, I’m gay, if that matters [laughs], but yeah.
Joshua: Well, it is part of the question, so… [Laughs]
Sofonda: Yeah, perfect. But again, those are, kind of, like, just, um, ballpark areas, like, labels that, I guess, help us identify things. But just like drag, everything’s, kind of on a spectrum. That’s very how I feel.
Joshua: Yeah. Has drag, like, influenced your sex and gender identities at all, like since you started to like… or, like, versus before you started?
Sofonda: Yeah. Um, I don’t know if drag has really influenced my, um, like, expression. But I think they’ve definitely been tied. Like, when I first came out, I feel like I had so much of this energy inside that I just, kind of, like, blew up. You know, freshman year of college…
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: I got away from Springfield, and the private schools, and I, like, you know, was very gay, very flamboyant, very… and, like, I still am, of course. But I felt…
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: I, kind of, more felt the need to make that, um, my main personality trait, I guess, if that makes sense.
Joshua: Yeah.
Sofonda: Um, and then, kind of, as I grew older, maybe it’s because I started doing drag, but I, kind of more separated my feminine and masculine energies, I guess, if that makes sense.
Joshua: Yeah.
Sofonda: I think having drag as an outlet for, kind of the, the feminine energies that I was suppressing for so long. That was more of a channel than just my normal daily life, if that makes sense.
Joshua: Mm-hmm. No. Yeah that, makes a lot of sense.
Sofonda: [Laughs] Yeah.
Joshua: I feel like a lot of people share that, like [overtalking] as well.
Sofonda: Oh, work, nice.
Joshua: Like, for sure. Um, so, how do you define drag? Like, overall, like, what, what do you think is, like, the definition of drag?
Sofonda: Oh nice. Yeah. To me, I think the definition of drag is an art form. So, it’s… yeah, I’d say it’s an art form. It’s like watercolor. Anyone can paint with watercolors and say that they enjoy watercolors, but that doesn’t make them a watercolor artist, or that’s like something…
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: That they have trained or specialized in or whatever.
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: You know, I think that anyone can do drag, and anyone can call themselves a drag artist, and really, it’s just, um, like a thing you can do, a, a community you can participate I, that kind of thing.
Joshua: Yeah. I think that’s, like, a really important viewpoint to have, especially, you know, when we have, uh, drag, like, icons, who say the opposite. Like, what’s your opinion on people… or who… people who don’t think, like, um, bioqueens or AFAB queens should be, you know, in the drag scene? Like, what’s your opinion on people who aren’t cis gay men doing drag?
Sofonda: Yeah, right? I think that’s just the weirdest take on it, you know? I’m like…
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: Why…? We are drag queens, we are, like, the forefront of, you know, trying to change culture, trying to change people’s minds and be progressive. So, in what world does it make sense to be limiting how many people can be a part of this community? Like, like, if anyone enjoys doing drag and wants to do drag, like, that’s all you need to be a part of the drag community. That’s how I feel.
Joshua: Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Sofonda: That there’s no reason to, like, limit who can… who can be involved.
Joshua: Yeah. Okay. We have a few questions left. Okay. What do you think is the purpose of drag?
Sofonda: Hmm, the purpose? [Laughs] Um, good question. I really…
Joshua: Very open-ended question.
Sofonda: Yeah, right? Well, I guess it’s, kind of, like any other art form. It’s, it’s an opportunity for creative expression. And then, because it’s also, like, using your own body to express your art, it’s, kind of, like, dance in that way that I think it… things are just a lot more personal, or can be more emotive, because you’re using your own body as a canvas. Um, so, I think, maybe, that’s its purpose, is just expression and creativity and, like, community building. That’s how I see it. And it’s just fun and uplifting and makes people happy. So, yeah, all good vibes.
Joshua: Right. Okay. How do you feel about RuPaul’s Drag Race? Like, what’s your overall thoughts?
Sofonda: Oh, I love it.
Joshua: Yeah.
Sofonda: Yeah, best show in existence. Like, definitely the most entertaining thing I’ve ever watched. [Laughs]
Joshua: Yeah.
Sofonda: The only thing I’ve been, like, so obsessed over.
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: Um, I mean, there are definitely issues with it, and, you know, people talk all the time. There’s, kind of, like, this whole twitter situation, or, I mean, people talk about toxic fanbase, or, like, you know, I think there’s always gonna be something that can be brought up. But I think it’s a great show. I think it’s done wonders for representation and education, and for so many queer people out there, who just, kind of, need a jumping-off point or, like, information about the community. Um, it’s just, like, the most mainstream representation for us at this point, I feel like.
Joshua: Yeah.
Sofonda: So, there’s definitely some really good points about it. And, I mean, it’s TV; it’s, kind of, all… you know, there’s producers and there’s… it’s just not real life, is what I’m trying to say. So, I don’t think people can try to take it too seriously. That’s my take on it.
Joshua: Yeah. Okay. Two questions left, and this one is, if you could change one thing about drag, the drag scene or the drag community, what would it be and why?
Sofonda: If I could change anything, I would just, um… I wish that the drag scene were more… were more, I guess, mainstream, or, like, more inclusive to the way that we had more shows to represent drag culture than just RuPaul’s Drag Race. Like, I think it’s a great show, but we need other avenues, other, um, ways of expression. Like, I wish we had more drag queens in music videos, or, I wish we had drag queens just in other reality TV shows that, you know, don’t normally have drag queens in them, you know?
Joshua: Right.
Sofonda: So, if I could change anything it’s just, kind of, the exposure of drag. But I think we’re definitely getting there. Like, with TikTok, and with just, kind of, this, sort of, generational shift of… I, I just think we are getting more progressive and more, um, welcoming for the art of drag. So, I think that’s very exciting.
Joshua: Agreed. Okay. If you could… or if you… sorry, I did not write that right. If you could choose… sorry, I just can’t read… [laughs]
Sofonda: [Laughs] [Overtalking].
Joshua: If you chose one thing you want people to know or learn about drag, what would it be?
Sofonda: Um, hmm, one thing that anyone could learn about drag?
Joshua: Mm-hmm.
Sofonda: Um, maybe just to be yourself. Like, honestly, that’s what drag has taught me, is that, um, you have things inside of you that you didn’t know were there. And drag is, kind of, an opportunity to channel that, and be a different person, and not, um, be so worried about yourself, you know? You, you just have an opportunity to let your creativity and, and your expression shine, in a different way. So, I think, through transforming myself into somebody else, it has helped me become my own person, if that makes sense.
Joshua: Yeah, makes a lot of sense.
Sofonda: Mm-hmm. [Laughs]
Joshua: Well, Sofonda, that’s all I have for you. Thank you so much. You were amazing!
Sofonda: Okay, perfect. Thank you.
Joshua: Thank you.
Sofonda: I hope I answered all those questions well enough.
Joshua: No, you did. Great answers, like, really. Thank you so much.
Sofonda: Okay.