By Kevin Ferrisi –

Equal parts glamorous, mischievous, and full of pop culture energy, Sauvignon Blanc has quickly become a standout in Connecticut’s drag scene. From late-night costume sessions with her chosen family in the Haus of Pro to headlining her own shows, Sauvignon Blanc has turned a playful experiment into a career that dazzles, inspires, and leaves audiences wanting more. With a packed schedule and ambitious projects on the horizon, she’s proving that drag is more than performance, it’s a celebration of creativity, confidence, and joy.

Sauvignon Blanc, or Sauvi for short, began her drag journey on the Thursday before Christmas in 2023, choosing an unconventional starting point inspired by her love of the Grinch. While many performers debut around Halloween or Pride, she stepped into drag on her own terms, arriving nervously to an open stage at Chez Est in Hartford. Despite showing up a few minutes late and feeling unsure, she was met with encouragement from fellow performers and quickly found her footing. What started as something she had once kept private soon became a moment of clarity, as she realized she had entered a space that felt both welcoming and electric, marking the true beginning of her life in drag.

She traces her love of drag back to her college years, where she often found herself helping friends get ready, trying on their dresses, and confidently strutting through dorm hallways in heels. What began as playful experimentation revealed something deeper, rooted in a childhood shaped by both limitation and inspiration. While Sauvignon was often discouraged from pursuing traditionally feminine forms of expression, she was equally influenced by strong women in her family, including dancers and pageant competitors, who embodied confidence and poise. Discovering drag gave her a way to bridge those experiences, offering both a creative outlet and a sense of purpose. Over time, she has grown into a performer who blends glamour with personality, using her voice as a central tool to connect with audiences.

Her drag name came together after a period of experimentation and reflection. Early on, Sauvignon Blanc’s drag mother Lexxi Pro encouraged the playful name “Pro Zac,” a nod to her given name, but it never quite matched the persona she was developing. She also considered “Tiffany Blue,” envisioning a polished, jewel-toned aesthetic, though she ultimately felt it would limit her range as a performer. “Sauvignon Blanc” offered something broader, blending glamour with a sense of humor and cultural awareness. Paired alongside Lexxi Pro, the name became part of a tongue in cheek dynamic that nods to familiar comforts and shared experiences, while still allowing her the freedom to evolve and connect with audiences on her own terms.

Sauvignon Blanc’s name plays into a distinctly local sense of humor, especially in the way she and her drag mother, Lexxi Pro, frame themselves as a kind of “Connecticut housewives” duo. The pairing of “Lexapro” and “Sauvignon Blanc” becomes a wink to the idea of everyday indulgences, something familiar and relatable in suburban life. It reflects a caricature of the polished, put-together woman who unwinds with a glass of wine at the end of the day. For Sauvignon Blanc, it is not just about the name itself, but the character it suggests, someone glamorous and composed on the surface, but also in on the joke, able to laugh at the culture around her while still celebrating it. 

She officially became part of the Haus of Pro in early 2024, just a few months after she began performing. Although Sauvignon Blanc and Lexxi Pro had already been close friends, their relationship deepened after a series of early shows and late nights spent together, eventually evolving from what was first jokingly framed as a “drag sister” dynamic into a more traditional mother and daughter bond. Under Lexxi’s guidance, Sauvignon Blanc was given not only her first tools, makeup, wigs, and costumes, but also the foundation to grow into a more complete performer. With additional support from Lexxi’s drag sister Auntie Lu and haus friend Ambrosia Black, she found herself embraced by a chosen family that extended beyond the stage, sharing long nights crafting costumes and building confidence. For her, joining the Haus of Pro was not just a milestone, but a turning point that reinforced both her creative drive and her sense of belonging. 

Sauvignon Blanc describes her drag as a mix of glamour, playfulness, and pop culture influence, shaped by both past and present inspirations. She recalls freezing up when she met Abby Lee Miller from Dance Moms and was asked to describe her style, a moment that later pushed her to more clearly define her artistry. Her performances draw from the energy of pop divas across generations, with nods to the 90s, early 2000s, and today’s icons. At its core is a balance between her everyday life and her stage persona, reflecting the duality she admired growing up. By day, she works in education, but onstage she transforms into a polished, confident presence that is equal parts glamorous and mischievous, with just enough edge to keep audiences on their toes. 

For Sauvignon Blanc, drag has changed her in ways she never expected, shaping her into a more thoughtful and open person. Through her work, she has connected with people and communities she might never have encountered otherwise, while also finding the confidence to pursue creative and academic goals, including her master’s research and a documentary project. She describes drag as a gift that has expanded both her perspective and her sense of possibility, giving her not only a stronger voice but also the drive to share her work and experiences with others. 

Sauvignon highlights several standout moments in her drag career that have left a lasting impact. One of the most meaningful was appearing on NBC Connecticut Live in October 2024, where she represented the queer community during Queer History Month, a chance she says she never would have had in her day-to-day life. Another pivotal moment was partnering with Lexxi Pro and Auntie Lu to create drag events as the Haus of Pro Entertainment at places like Elicit Brewing, which eventually grew into a full-fledged business that has expanded across the state and beyond. For Sauvignon Blanc, these experiences show the power of taking chances and pursuing opportunities, and they reinforce her belief that hard work, creativity, and persistence can turn dreams into reality. 

Looking ahead, Sauvignon Blanc says the future of her drag career is full of excitement and new opportunities. She has shows booked across Connecticut and Rhode Island through the rest of 2026, with potential expansion near Boston on the horizon. In April, she will debut The Sauvi Show in Providence, marking her first headlining solo production, and she’s also planning a one-woman show later in the year. For her, the most important part of drag remains the joy of performing, embracing the moment, being playful, and creating magic both for herself and her audience. With a packed schedule and new projects underway, Sauvignon Blanc is looking ahead to a bright and lively year.