by Kevin Ferrisi –

Connecticut drag king Ray DeCorazón caught the community’s attention as the winner of season 3 of Chez Legends, the renowned local drag competition that has showcased the careers of a long list of standout performers. He later earned the title of Mx. Chez Est 2020, further establishing his presence in the state’s drag scene. With performances that are both grounded and intentional, Ray has built a reputation for bringing heart, character, and authenticity to the stage.

Ray began doing drag in 2017 at Ithaca College in New York, stepping into the spotlight for the first time at his school’s annual drag show. At the time, he was searching for community and beginning to explore his gender and sexuality. He happened to sit next to someone in class who was helping to organize the show. Although rehearsals were already underway, he asked if he could still join and was welcomed in. He started cautiously, signing up only for a runway walk because anything more felt too intimidating. He eventually joined a group number but stayed clear of performing solo. That changed once he got on stage. The drag show was one of the biggest events on campus, and performing in it gave him a sense of joy and affirmation he hadn’t expected.

From there, drag became a steady part of his life. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, he was performing several times a month. But in the years that followed, his presence onstage became less frequent. Part of that shift came from the impact of COVID itself. The format of shows changed, with new restrictions confining performers to the stage and eliminating audience interaction, a key element of his style, especially as someone who doesn’t typically rely on choreography. Heavily choreographed numbers weren’t what he was used to, but he learned to adapt, thanks in large part to the guidance of his partner, local drag thing and part-time choreographer, Ram Shackle. At the same time, he was adjusting to life after college, having graduated in 2019. Figuring out how to be an adult outside of a campus community took time. On top of that, with each new milestone, including winning the Chez Legends drag competition, the pressure to meet expectations started to weigh heavily. Though he had started addressing his mental health while in college, anxiety around performing grew to the point where drag no longer felt sustainable.

Now, he says he is the happiest he has ever been. Over the past year, Ray’s relationship with drag has shifted into something more fulfilling and intentional. Performing for college students is really something special, just like him, many of them are finally beginning to discover themselves. For many, seeing a drag king perform is deeply inspiring, especially since he is, unfortunately, almost always the only king on the stage. It felt especially meaningful that his last show in 2023 was at UConn, and his first performance back after a two-year break was also at UConn. This year, he returned to performing for a UConn event and then for the Chez Legends All Stars event in Hartford, and those specific crowds reminded him of how energizing drag could be. Stepping away from a constant performance schedule allowed him to reconnect with what he loves about the art form. Instead of scrambling to fill a calendar, he now lets the ideas come first. When inspiration strikes, he creates a number and then finds the right space to share it. For him, drag is no longer about obligation. It is about joy, and doing it on his own terms.

His drag name went through a few changes before it felt right. When he first stepped on stage, he did not have a name at all since he was part of a group number and did not need an introduction. By his second performance, he was using the name Jace DeCorazón, inspired by the idea of being an “Ace of Hearts” as a nod to his place on the asexuality spectrum. The name had personal meaning, but it never fully clicked. Eventually, he landed on Ray DeCorazón. “Rey” means “king” in Spanish, and paired with “DeCorazón,” it forms a name that translates to “King of Heart.” The name reflects both his identity and his early concept of branding himself as a King of Hearts, combining language, symbolism, and intention in a way that finally felt true to him.

Ray identifies fully as a drag king, though his style has evolved over time. While he has performed as a drag queen before, he sees that as a separate persona who rarely takes the stage. From the beginning, his drag has leaned masculine, often playing into a sexy character that became part of his signature. Over time, though, his expression has shifted to include more gender fluidity in his costuming and presentation. Ray no longer feels the need to perform a rigid version of masculinity. Instead, he embraces a more flamboyant masculinity that allows space for playfulness, confidence, and self-expression without boundaries.

Doing drag taught him a lot about himself, especially around his trans identity. It was through drag that Ray first experimented with wearing men’s clothing, something that had felt off limits before. That experience helped him realize that masculinity is a real and important part of who he is, not just a performance. While being in drag gives him on stage confidence, people are often surprised that off stage he deals with social anxiety and can come across as distant. Stepping back from drag for a while gave him space to work on building confidence in everyday life. When Ray recently returned to the stage, he felt like a different person, more grounded both in drag and in himself.

One of the highlights of his drag career is winning Chez Legends All Stars in 2020. He was the Chez Legends season three winner and later became the second performer to win the Chez Legends All Stars competition. Chez Legends is the state’s renowned drag competition held at the Chez Est in Hartford. The experience stands out as a proud moment because of the work that went into the production. Ray credits support from his partner and his mom, who helped with costuming, making the show a larger collaborative effort. The final performance was exactly what he had hoped for and remains a meaningful achievement in his local drag scene.

Early in Ray’s drag journey, before fully developing his character, he traveled to Los Angeles where he connected with many performers in the scene. He had the chance to perform alongside one of, if not the most well known drag king in the world, Landon Cider, and other well established California drag queens. Although the gigs often paid little or nothing, he didn’t mind because he was excited just to be part of the community. He focused on finding chances to travel with his drag, always eager to bring his artistry to new audiences. Ray has performed in eight different states across the country, including twice being selected as a featured performer at the Austin International Drag Festival, an experience that underscored his commitment to growth, visibility, and representing drag kings on national stages.

One of the biggest highlights of his career was producing a successful multi-week drag king workshop that culminated in a live showcase. He and his partner created a thoughtful, hands-on curriculum to teach a small group of new drag kings everything from developing their drag personas to mastering makeup techniques and building stage presence. It was a meaningful way for him to give back to the community and help create space for more kings to thrive.

Looking ahead, Ray plans to return to the stage for the next Chez Legends All Stars, where he hopes to build on the momentum of his recent performance, which featured acrobatic chair work. He found a lot of satisfaction in merging one of his personal hobbies with drag and is already thinking about how to push himself further. While he does not have other shows lined up at the moment, he is focused on finding inspiration before committing to new gigs. He shares that when an idea strikes, he will follow it, create something meaningful, and announce it through his Instagram.