By Kevin Ferrisi –
In the shimmering world of drag, Ivanna stands as a testament to resilience, growth, and the unyielding pursuit of excellence. Ivanna started doing drag in the summer of 2012, but she really began to immerse herself in it around late 2013 and early 2014. Her first experience in drag was for a drag show at Diva’s Nightclub in Northampton, during their weekly drag shows on Wednesday nights. Despite not having watched RuPaul’s Drag Race at that time, she found the atmosphere amazing and decided to participate in the following week’s Drag Wars competition, motivated by the $500 prize.
Her initial foray into drag was a chaotic misadventure, leaving her determined to improve with each subsequent performance. With a background in cheerleading and gymnastics, she felt confident in her ability to perform and dance. However, her first attempt was a disaster. Despite feeling confident in her performance skills, her lack of experience and preparation led to a messy performance where her wig flew off, her costume malfunctioned, and she ended up slipping on stage, ultimately placing fourth out of four contestants. Despite the setbacks, she tried again a couple more times that summer, showcasing her performance skills but struggling with her overall appearance.
When she first started doing drag, she and her friend were brainstorming and searching for a name that would truly resonate. They turned to the internet and discovered a drag name calculator, hoping it would provide some inspiration. After inputting all the necessary information, the calculator generated the name Ivanna Be Queen, which they initially thought suited her perfectly. However, as time passed, she realized that the name didn’t quite live up to her expectations. Eventually, circumstances led to a change when Facebook was enforcing real names, prompting her to drop the “Be Queen” part from her name and simply go by Ivanna. She had been known as Ivanna Be Queen for about two to three years before transitioning to just Ivanna. This change reflected her growth and evolution within the drag community.
She describes her style of drag as versatile, and capable of encompassing various styles within the drag spectrum. However, her primary focus is on being stunning, gorgeous, and beautiful, while also having the ability to turn a look and deliver hilarious performances. She identifies as a comedy queen who is also a pretty girl and can slay on the stage with her performances. This versatility allows her to feel comfortable behind the mic and excel in all aspects of drag performance.
Through her journey of doing drag, she has learned that she is a very confident person who truly knows herself. Drag has elevated her confidence to a new level, instilling in her a sense of self-assuredness and an ego that she proudly backs up. While she acknowledges feeling a bit cocky about it, she believes that her confidence is justified and serves a purpose. This realization highlights the transformative power of drag in boosting self-confidence and self-awareness.
Throughout her career in the drag community, she takes pride in being someone who gets along with everyone and avoids conflicts. She values her ability to work well with others and have fun with everyone she encounters, considering it a standout quality and accomplishment. Despite the diverse personalities within the community, she has managed to navigate through without any major clashes, a feat she acknowledges as challenging.
While reflecting on her experiences, she mentions participating in the TV show Camp Wannakiki, which was initially a source of excitement and pride for her, as it marked the first time someone she knew had the opportunity to showcase their talents on a larger platform. However, the experience didn’t live up to her expectations and ended up being disappointing and frustrating. Reflecting on it now, she views it more as a fleeting moment in her career rather than a proud achievement, a sentiment she prefers to discuss delicately. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue showcasing her drag and the pride she takes in it, aspiring to display her talents on a larger scale for all to see.
Reflecting on her drag journey, she noted that a pivotal moment in her career was the day she met Mia E. Z’Lay. This meeting marked a turning point that helped shape her drag career into what it is today. From the moment they met, they became friends and eventually best friends, significantly influencing each other’s paths in the drag world. Their friendship started during her first summer of doing drag. She tried drag a few times before heading to college for a year. When she returned and participated in Drag Wars again, it was then that she met Mia. They quickly became close, supporting and encouraging each other’s growth and improvements in drag. Their shared experiences and mutual support have been crucial, with both starting their drag journeys around the same time and continuously being each other’s biggest cheerleaders.
Looking ahead, she feels it is about time she threw her hat into the ring for a season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. She believes she is really good at drag and wants people to see her true potential. The prospect of competing on the show is incredibly exciting for her. She knows she can sing, dance, act, and be funny, all while being a genuinely nice person. It isn’t arrogance; it is confidence in her talent. Every star must claim their greatness because if they don’t, nobody else will. She believes that everyone, including herself, has areas for improvement and should always strive to get better. For her, a good artist should never become stagnant but should always be growing or changing. She emphasized the importance of being your own critic, not settling for complacency, and actively seeking improvement.
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