Published at 3:16 am. Updated at 9:00 a.m.
“Hello, I would like to know if all drag artists are gay. And at what age did you start thinking about doing drag? » – Michelle Piché
“No, it’s not all resistance. Don’t assume someone’s sexual orientation. Anyone can do drag, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. It is more common to be part of sexual and gender diversity and to practice this profession, but there are heterosexuals, pansexuals, bisexuals, asexuals who practice this profession and we cannot know it! I never thought about getting into drag. In fact, I had friends who were into drag and I wasn’t attracted to it. It took taking part in the game at the age of 19 to realize that it was really something that combined many artistic disciplines that I appreciated (playing a character, dancing, singing, theater, comedy). I feel like I have to experience it myself to realize that this job is ultimately amazing! »
“Do you ever get tired of having to transform into your character to appear on television? » –Richard Salera
“NO. And it’s always complex to answer that because what can be, let’s say, boring or a bit tiring is the preparation time. If I compare it with other artists on set, the preparation is definitely not the same . I don’t arrive 30 minutes before check-in to sit in a chair and put on my makeup and that’s all, that’s all. It takes me 90 minutes just to do the makeup. And it says finding costumes, sometimes accessories and wigs need to be made too, and as I make more and more I want to make sure I don’t transfer something I’ve already worn so it becomes a bit complex! […] If I could snap my fingers and it would be done, that would certainly be ideal. Especially when it’s early in the morning when we’re called to set at 9am, that means I have to prepare three hours beforehand. […] But transformation is also the engine that makes me productive. This gives me the confidence I lack to take part in the exercise. »
“You have to spend a fortune on costumes. I would like to know what percentage of these costs for costumes are compared to your annual salary. For example, do you spend 40% of your salary on costumes compared to other artists? » – Gilles Rondeau
“It’s very difficult to calculate because sometimes in television productions we have budgets for it that we have negotiated in advance. But most of the time we don’t have one. […] A very general approximation, I think it’s 25%. I don’t know if my accountant would agree, but I think it’s 25%! »
“Have you ever thought about making your body a little more feminine or would it not help your character at all? » – Allan Moris
“It depends what you mean by “a little more feminine.” I change my silhouette every time I wear drag. Basically, I wear padding on the chest and hips to give myself a silhouette that is considered more feminine without necessarily falling into a huge caricature. It bothers me a little to answer this question because, ultimately, what is femininity? All bodies are different! »
“Do you spend more time in the drag scene than you do as a man in a day/year? How do you manage to live with both worlds in everyday life? » – Thérèse Fournier
No, I don’t spend more time in drag, on the other hand I have hectic times, busier times or something, yes. For example, when we filmed Crave, it was 12-hour workdays, I’d get up, have a coffee and then I’d start. In the evening I was very tired, so I took off my makeup, ate and went to bed. Yes, in these hectic moments I was more often in women’s clothing. But otherwise there’s usually a pretty good balance, a good balance. I need phases of rest in which I give my face and body a break and recharge my batteries. It is important to give yourself time to rest. When I’m in costume it’s for work, so we plan our days accordingly. I’m also an entrepreneur, so there’s a big part where I’m not in the drag scene, but in planning, organizing events and managing other artists. So there really is a balance between everyday office life and stage life. »