Conversations with Sheidybee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheidybee

Hi Sheidybee, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m from Middle East, born in Iraq. Since I was a kid I loved fashion and watching movies.

I was different from other kids because I liked playing with Barbie dolls with my sisters and designing clothing from paper bags, and makeup, but I didn’t know Drag, I also loved dancing.

I never really felt that I was a boy or a girl; but when I started growing up, things shifted and I had to start acting like a man, forced by the social standards, like my family saying what I should and shouldn’t do, that meant I couldn’t do the things I loved anymore about playing with the girls. And everything I was, I had to change completely.

I started working at a very young are, at about 9 years old I worked for a mechanic shop with my brother while watching the other kids play, but I had to contribute in my household, being poor and growing up in the war.

In 2003 when the war started in Iraq, I experienced a very tragic experience that both traumatized me and became a turn point in my life, I was 14 when I was kidnapped from school, this was the darkest moment in my life.

After that I relocated to many places, until 2012 that I moved to the country Jordan, where I faced sexual harassment, and at 19 years old I went through other hard experiences, like working and not getting paid for it, because I was new there. Then in 2013 I came to USA, where I overcame the language barrier and cultural shock. Adapting to this country and becoming a naturalized citizen.

During the pandemic I got exposed to Drag and got fascinated by it, because it meant all those things I do, like being creative and artistic with makeup, sawing, dancing, design. That other Drag queens elaborate in their Drag. At the beginning I was very happy with the community that I was in, at that time; until things shifted because some people don’t like to see you being yourself within the Drag scene. Unfortunately there is still racism within the community, not everyone and fortunately I also amazing and supportive people who I love and focus on the positivity.

I think that with all that is going on, we should be stronger as a community and remain visible together.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As I mentioned I have struggled with the language barrier, facing discrimination and I feel like some people take advantage when you show yourself vulnerable. I also struggle with my family, because they don’t know about my life as a queer person, married to a man, and doing Drag, because of cultural and religion obstacles.

Also, keep my mental health in a bright spot, reminding myself of what I have survived, all that I have overcome to be proudly in this point of my life, loving my art, the people that support me and surround me, and keeping myself busy with school.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a Drag Queen, who designs outfits, styling wigs for my drag persona, at which I’m also a performer.

I express myself through the art in my makeup and ravishing designs. Something that sets me apart, is that I mix my middle eastern background and culture with my drag, being a pioneer Iraqi Drag Queen

I am very proud of bringing joy and an example of freedom to be and love yourself, and that my performances are a love letter to those who feel unseen or unsafe, becoming a celebration of celebration and we all deserve to belong and be loved.

What’s next?
My future plans are keep on focusing on creating art, and hopefully one day I will be on some reality TV shows, keep performing and seizing opportunities to do some acting.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheidybee/

Image Credits
By my family