Today we’d like to introduce you to UltraViolet.
Hi UltraViolet , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I began my drag career when I was 14. Obviously at that age and living in a small town, I was not performing 24/7, so I introduced my presence on social media. I started attending occasional shows to get my foot in the door. Over the years, I would perform at private events, Pride shows, and truly anyone who would have me! I attended DragCon in 2018, which assisted me in growing my following. I also attended several tour shows that were related to the Drag Race franchise. Meeting queens such as Trixie Mattel, Sasha Velour, etc.
Fast forward to 2022 and I moved to St. Louis. I immediately began stepping into amateur shows to build even more of a presence, especially now living in a city where a scene was present. I had worked with a handful of these performers in the past, so I felt very lucky in that sense. Once I felt comfortable, I gradually exited the amateur nights and began promoting myself for all kinds of shows. This led to me hosting my own show at Hidden Gem here in St. Louis and being a featured performer at private and Pride events.
Come 2024, I submitted a form to open for Chappell Roan on her Midwest Princess tour. I did end up receiving an email saying I got the spot. At this time, no other St. Louis performer had been given this opportunity, so I took it and ran with it. April 8th was the date I opened for her in Kansas City. A St. Louis date had not been announced yet. When I asked about a St. Louis show, her team informed me it would be on May 30th, which is my birthday. I still declined and just simply attended the St. Louis show when the time came. Later that year, I was featured in an issue of STRIKE Magazine here in St. Louis.
I’ve now performed in Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Maryland. In 2025, on my birthday yet again, an icon graced St. Louis on their tour. Trisha Paytas and I met, and I was bombarded by showgoers for pictures. I was then posted on Trisha’s social media following the show. In October, I was granted the title of P.O.P. Pageant winner by the artist MARINA while she was on her tour. Yet another spike in publicity and followers.
Most recently in June of this year, I visited Las Vegas to attend another Trisha Paytas show. This time she was alongside one of her best friends and social media personality Tana Mongeau. I have been a fan of both since 2016. Again, I was flooded with people wanting photos and to chat with me. After the show, I saw photos of myself all across my feed and eventually on Trisha’s and Tana’s themselves.
I’m always in awe of just how happy drag makes everyone feel. When I go out in public as UltraViolet, people flock to me. It fills my heart with joy. Art is for everyone, and it brings people together no matter the medium.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Beginning my drag career at 14 in a small town meant a lot of eyes were on me. Both in a positive and negative way. Close-minded people in my small town did not understand what I was doing or why I was doing it. It was my sophomore year of high school, and almost everyone knew about it. I personally was not thrown off by anything. I was just creating art. Luckily, I have my parents and friends who loved what I was doing. They all had words of encouragement always.
Another challenge was simply getting opportunities. Being so young, it was simply not safe at times for me to be performing in certain spaces. Bars did not necessarily want me around for liability reasons, and at the time, I did not understand. Obviously now, I do. Back then, I just wanted to perform and show my work!
Moving to St. Louis also brought new obstacles to the table. My drag is not traditional whatsoever. I’m not out at shows with hips, nails, big hair, or breasts. I’m known for tricks, splits, and dancing. Mobility is very important to me when it comes to performing. Most of the St. Louis show directors did not agree with what I was presenting and simply discarded me when it came to options. I have found lovely people now who DO understand my art and what I have to offer. However, there are still people who view me and my art as wrong due to close-mindedness.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a drag queen. I perform, host, and am present across social media platforms.
I’m known for my performance style and other opportunities I have been given. I have opened for Chappell Roan, won the P.O.P. Pageant on the artist MARINA’s tour, and have been posted on artists’ and several content creators’ social media platforms. Examples include: Chappell Roan, MARINA, Mimi Webb, COBRAH, Kesha, Trisha Paytas, and Tana Mongeau.
I am most proud of my resilience when it comes to my art. Sometimes, things that I try I cannot stick with. On the contrary, drag has been a part of my life for 9 years now. It has allowed me to express myself in so many different avenues.
A big thing that sets me apart from others is my story. Though this was not previously mentioned because it occurred before my drag career: I have a traumatic brain injury and was incapable of speaking for months. Art is how I chose to communicate. Drag has given me a voice, even when I myself did not have one. My persistence for the craft is unmatched and has taken me so far.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Drag has already changed so much since I first started. It is VERY mainstream now, and you have to bring something new and exciting to the table to avoid blending in.
Social media and technology are the future. Capitalizing on that now is the best thing to do. In 2020, we were shown that almost anything can be executed or created virtually. With AI also now being a part of the game, it is imperative that you stand out.
Drag will be present in 5-10 years. It has been present since the Renaissance era. Everyone just needs to hone their craft and even make adjustments to ensure their aesthetics fit the mold at the time.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsultraviolet_?utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UVTV-m8
