Alyssa Edwards is a drag icon who needs no introduction — but we’ll do it anyway.
Edwards’ star-studded career accolades span over two decades, earning her a spot on the RuPaul’s Drag Race: Hall of Fame and building an unmistakable legacy on charisma, uniqueness, nerve and undeniable talent.
From the dance studios of Mesquite, Texas, to gracing television screens around the world, Edwards has captivated audiences with her hypnotic wit, larger-than-life persona and unapologetic authenticity. Now, Edwards is bringing all of that and more to the OUTLOUD Music Festival this upcoming Pride month.
In my conversation with this queen among queens, Edwards opens up about the meaning of Pride, the honor of being named the first winner of Drag Race Global All Stars‘ first and what it truly means to live and perform out loud.
Whether she’s coaching young dancers at Beyond Belief Dance Company, laughing over their recollection of awkward first dates, or reflecting on the kinder-queer she once was, Edwards brings heart, honesty and hope to everything she touches. If nothing else, one thing is sure: Edwards is not just part of queer and drag history — she’s writing it.
Let’s get into it.
You’re performing at the OUTLOUD Music Festival. What do you do to prepare and what does it mean to you?
Well, first I wanna start off by saying this is a mega huge honor for me. This is a big year, being the very first Global All Star queen. She’s made it officially into the Hall of Fame. Getting the opportunity to be alongside all of these incredibly iconic performers. I can only say that I’m so honored.
As far as getting — well, right now I’m on tour. So, you know, It’s been a little bit of a juggling act these days. That said, I feel like since I’ve manifested this opportunity, it would only make sense that I bring the Texas size performance that everybody is expecting. This is a huge, huge moment, not only in my career, but also in time. I want to make a statement, I want to be proud, I want to be bold, and I definitely want to be out loud.
And of course [also] wrangling up the dancers and getting the idea of what the choreography is going to be. Right now we’re seeing so many artists come through. I mean, Lady Gaga reminded us this year with “Abracadabra” and its choreography that art is still alive and it is thriving. To me, this takes me back to a time when I would watch MTV and see these videos with this really fierce, synchronized choreography, hand gestures and elaborate costuming. All of this has just inspired me, motivated me and fueled me for this performance. You can expect me to deliver the best of Alyssa Edwards.
You mentioned having been a Global Queen. Did you anticipate returning after season 5 of RPDR:All Stars S2 and then eventually RPDR:Global?
This show really catapulted the Art of Dragon to mainstream television, but we just didn’t know if it was gonna continue on. So when I got the call to go on All Stars 2, four years later, after season 5, I was truly honored. And what a legendary season with a cast of genuine all-stars. After I left the show that year, I was very, very proud of what I presented. You know, something that I teach students over at my dance school, Beyond Belief Dance, is winning isn’t everything but the desire to [win] is. You’ve got to work hard and give it your all.
I didn’t really anticipate all of this. Back then, it just felt like a great opportunity. When Global was announced, with 12 queens from 12 countries and I found out I’d be representing — oh my gosh, good ol’ America — I had to pause. It felt like a huge responsibility. Drag in the U.S., especially through RuPaul’s Drag Race, has become the blueprint for so many franchises worldwide. So yes, I felt the pressure. But I reminded myself, just like I tell my students, show up as the best version of yourself and embrace the moment. Stand proud. Stand proud. Stand proud.
The night of the Global crowning, I stayed home with my partner. No big party, just a quiet moment to reflect. I wanted to honor the 24 years I’ve put into Alyssa Edwards. This wasn’t about validation or vindication. It was a victory lap. A celebration. And sometimes, when you’re having fun and doing what you love… look what comes from it. Now I’m in the Hall of Fame. So take that, and rewind it back.
When you’re preparing for a show like OUTLOUD, how do you plan to connect with your current supporters as well as the folks who might be new to you?
That’s a great question, and one I actually wrote about in my journal while preparing for this. I kept thinking: ‘how can I make this 15 minute performance reflect everything I’ve shared since first stepping onto television 12 years ago?’
I’ve had the chance to travel the world, and I wanted this set to be an accumulation of all those years, all those experiences, all the queerness, artistry and inspiration that shaped me. I wanted to pour it all into this one moment.
For new fans too, like you said, it’s been incredible. [During my last] meet and greet, I saw just how wide the range is. I was recently in Knoxville with my one-woman show, Crowned, and I met everyone from young queens who said: ‘I started watching you when I was 12,’ — which, made me feel a little old but also very proud — to a 70-year-old woman who came with her son and daughter-in-law. She told me she first saw me on Dancing Queen on Netflix, then found my America’s Got Talent performances and finally discovered Drag Race. She had followed my whole journey. She told me: ‘You deserve this. You made us all proud.’
As I walked away, I thought: ‘Wow. I used to be that kid in Mesquite, Texas, waiting on the world to change.’
And now? I’m part of that change. Talk about a plot twist and a trick of fate.
What was it like, kind of giving people a peak behind the curtain for Dancing Queen? What was it like to show people the version of yourself apart from your stage persona?
I mean, I’m not gonna lie, I’m being very candid when I say it was nerve wracking. You know, when you’re having to be unfiltered in every aspect of your life, you know, I am a man that wears many hats. If I am not wearing a wig and performing on stage, I have my teacher’s hat on or my coach’s hat on at the competition.
I have a very full life, and it is very fulfilling in the same aspect, but it is very busy. You’re seeing me in so many different settings and situations, and I really have to give myself credit for being vulnerable. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be that open because, believe it or not, I’m actually a pretty private person.
Looking back, I can laugh now. But at the time? I was embarrassed, just completely socially awkward. I mean, talking about potato salad? It was all kinds of wrong. But sometimes, you have to look back and just giggle. Like: ‘Queen, look at you now.’ Compared to where I was then, I’m in a happy relationship with my partner of four years and love is very much alive in my life. I’m proud of that awkward guy on that date. I’m proud I gave myself grace and permission to be fully, unapologetically me.
I want to go back to the fan of yours who started following your career when they were 12. How would you like to be perceived by the younger generation? What kind of message do you wanna provide them during today’s political climate?
A message of hope. That’s something I can answer quickly, because hope is one of the most powerful things we have. Sometimes it’s all we have. And I truly hope I can be a beacon of light and hope for others.
Growing up, I didn’t see anyone like me on TV. There was no RuPaul’s Drag Race, no Instagram to help me find my people or show me where I belonged. At 18, I had a pager and the Yellow Pages, and that’s how I stumbled across the gay clubs in Dallas. I’ll never forget walking into the cabaret drag room for the first time. It was like falling down the rabbit hole. I was Alice in Wonderland. I saw these bold, unapologetic entertainers, and I was captivated. But deep down, I thought, ‘There’s no way I could ever do that.’
Now, I think about today’s generation, how they can open their phones and instantly connect with their tribe, be inspired, and see themselves reflected in the world. I love that. Because drag gave me a voice. It gave me purpose. And I hope that through my journey, someone else finds theirs.
Whatever you’re going through right now, please, stay tuned. It gets better. At 18 and 19, life was just starting for me. I was shy, I didn’t have many friends, and I wasn’t sure where I fit in. I went to West Mesquite High – home of the Fighting Wranglers – and I mostly kept to myself. But thank God for dance. Those classes were my outlet, my way to express who I was.
I grew up in a home with a southern father who believed boys wore blue and girls wore pink. He valued hyper-masculinity, and there I was, painting my nails with my four sisters, wondering why I couldn’t just be me.
So yes, I’m proud to represent both the past and the present. Proud to be someone who made it through, who found their light, and who now shines it for others. That’s my message of hope: keep going. Your story is just beginning.
How do you celebrate your Pride off the page?
I celebrate Pride all year long. I’m 45, and every time I look in the mirror, I’m proud. I am proud of the man I’ve become, and proud of the storms I’ve weathered. There were times I didn’t have an umbrella. I just danced in the rain. I’m proud to love openly now, something I once felt I had to hide. Back then, I didn’t think the world would understand. But how can it, if we don’t share, teach, and live our truth?
To me, Pride means being fully authentic, transparent, joyful, dancing, singing, even if I’m off-key. It means not hiding anymore. There were years I stayed quiet, only dancing behind closed doors, afraid of what others might think. I didn’t want to make people uncomfortable. But sometimes, growth comes from getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. So yes, I celebrate Pride by living out loud, every single day.
All right. I don’t wanna keep it too long, but one last question, and this is kind of a fun one, but, uh, how does it feel to be honored by Jules and ti um, in season 17 with your iconic back rolls moment?
Oh my gosh, it was hysterical. And look, I didn’t know that was coming up. So I’m sitting at home with my partner and we’re watching it, and I was literally on the floor laughing. I messaged them, and I just was like, Bravo, great job. I think it’s incredible. That’s like the greatest honor, right? It’s like the standing ovation, you know, a good callback.
This was a really fun season and a fun batch of queens to watch on television. I’ll tell you, watching Jules do the makeup on her father really touched me so much. When their dad walks in and is like, Hey queen! That really hit me hard because it just was like, wow! This is the world changing right here. And these queens know who I am. And, once again celebrating pride!
I’m actually a huge fan of Onya Nurve as we’re both Cleveland natives. I’m proud of her. Talk about charisma…
Oh, I messaged Onya! I was like, you are a bright star. Keep shining. The story of Onya Nurve, and then that whole scene with the fathers, it was just like, so, I mean, empowering. It really, really, really touched me deeply. Hearing Onya Nurve share her story and how she can do everything – can sing, can dance, can act, is funny, has a look, knows how to do makeup, do makeovers. It’s like, wow, that’s the power of drag.
This whole group, this whole cast has a special place in my heart. I’m so proud of them. And I’m, I’m proud of myself that I’ve been a part of this legacy and I’m proud of everyone at World of Wonder and RuPaul, who championed this show for years and then got the opportunity to go on Logo 18 years ago. We’re on the 18th season now.
Onya is also in the lineup for the Outloud Festival…
She sure is. And I can’t wait to have the opportunity to kiki with her. I’m gonna get my photo too. I’m gonna have my little fangirl moment. So y’all get ready for that! This is going to be such a fun festival. I mean this lineup. And I just love celebrating every color of the rainbow and all the queerness that is going to be. You know, live loud and lit. We are going to be there. And, just seeing my name on the flyer, I still get a little giddy.
Anything that we should expect from your performance coming up?
You all already know what it’s gonna be. I mean, it’s showtime folks! I’m just truly honored, and I’m grateful that people are still living for the Alyssa Edwards shenanigans. And remember this Pride too. It’s important for us. Visibility is key. I love that this lineup is stacked on stacked. So thank you so much for the opportunity, and I’ll see you all there.