Exclusive Interview & Photoshoot - Krystal Versace
Krystal Versace, welcome my dear! From the second we saw you walk out on stage we knew we had to feature you!
Kicking things off when did you first discover that you wanted to do Drag?
I first decided I wanted to do drag after I found out about the art of drag through RuPaul’s Drag Race, it completely opened my mind and I fell in love with it. After dabbling in makeup before hand I naturally experimented with drag makeup. After falling in love with the show from then onwards I just bought more heels more wigs and tried different things, but it wasn’t till may 2019 after attending a Werq The World concert and watching queens live for the first time, it lit a spark in me and from there I booked my first gig and then Krystal went out into the real world!
“When fans come to one of my shows they can expect to be left with their jaws dropped, their wigs flown, and overall shaken!”
What would you say to anyone else wanting to try it?
I would say to someone who wanted to do drag, to just go for it, no matter who who are or what you identify as you can do it, just get creative, do whatever makes you feel like a bad bitch and experiment with your character you’re creating. Drag is an art, Its like a colouring book, you have the colours now your in control on what to create.
How and when did you decide on your Drag name?
I got my drag name in March 2019, and it was help given to me by a guy that I was talking to at the time and we ended up just chatting and then the conversation moved to drag, bear in mind I hadn’t a drag name yet, then he decided that he liked the name ‘crystal’ for me and I liked it, whilst I liked the name ‘Versace’ for a while, I just put two and two together and voilà. But then a while after that I decided that Krystal with a k was more me and so the name stuck since!
Describe your Drag personality in three emojis.
What influences your Drag style?
My drag style is influenced by music and the way I represent myself through music, and it’s also influenced a lot of queens that display their work through media and TV, and whatever inspires me.
What is your favourite thing about being a Drag Queen?
My favourite thing about being a drag queen is the ability to put your heart into something that you love. I love being able to express myself through my makeup and my look and to completely change the persona, which helps you escape into this world of fantasy and imagination. I also love the way people look at you and perceive you, the way people are shocked and thrilled when they see you perform.
What do you find is the hardest thing about being a Drag Queen?
The hardest thing about being a drag queen is the PAIN! And with my aesthetic especially I want everything perfected which includes a tight tuck, a high heel, a big bust, and some curvy hips, all of this comes with soooo much uncomfort, but if I want to look good I need to go through the pain! And also for myself I travel far for my gigs so feeling exhausted after twirling on a stage all night and the pain and then driving hours home… it’s EXHAUSTING.
What is your go to lip sync song and why?
My go to lip-sync as of this moment would be S.O.S by Rhianna as every time I hear it I cant help but resist the urge to get on a stage.
What can fans expect when coming to see you in a show?
When fans come to one of my shows they can expect to be left with their jaws dropped, their wigs flown, and overall shaken! I put my heart into every one of my performances so you will never be left underwhelmed.
RuPaul’s Drag Race has pushed drag into the mainstream however, there is more to drag. Why is supporting local drag important?
It is important to support local drag as if you don’t come we don’t perform and a world without drag is well.. I’d rather not. However, it is also important as the drag industry is very competitive and the harder you work the more you get out of it, but especially for us UK queens we don’t get cash tips! So we work even harder for that coin!
What does the future hold for you?
What does the future hold for Krystal? As of now my dream is too one day be traveling the world in drag and to be performing in front of thousands who know my name. But I’ve got this far in the space of nearly over a year and I’m still shocked to be working from queens from drag race and to be performing for people who love what I do, so who knows what’s next for Krystal.
Social
Instagram @krystalversace
Behind The Scenes
Photoshoot Credit
Talent - Krystal Versace
Photographer - Michael Sweeney
Shooting assistant and behind the scenes - Aneekah Hussain
Outfit - DeDeLicious
Hair & Make Up - Krystal Versace
All imagery copyright to Image 34 / Spill the Tea magazine.