Today we’d like to introduce you to Mercury Minx.
Mercury, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Going far far back, I was always a creative child who loved costumes. I asked my mom to teach me how to sew when I was around 12 years old. From there I begun sewing absolutely horrible fabric concoctions that I would wear for halloween, eventually progressing far enough to join the costuming department of my high school theater program where I was the head of the team. All of my sewing experience unknowingly was leading up to the point where I first tried drag. My school, the University of California, Santa Barbara, had an annual drag show for students to freely sign up and participate to express their creativity and exeuberance through a fun student-run, all ages drag show. I sewed my own costume for my first performance as well as quickly teaching myself enough makeup and hairstyling skills to get through the show and after that moment everything took off. Being in drag made me feel so creatively free because I could express so many different parts of myself and have it all be celebrated by an audience and a community. Santa Barbara is where I got my drag roots but it all increased tenfold when I graduated and moved to LA. The drag scene in LA was legendary for me when I was at my beginnings so I instantly had such a motivation to kick everything into top gear. I put all of my creativity into designing my looks, not just clothes but hair, makeup, and shoes as well.
Every detail is important for the full look to be a true “LEWK”. It was hard at first because I had no friends and was makinings, accounting, invoices, and hundreds of receipts. This job took up a majority of my day, still does, but every night when I got home I would either be sewing some new thing or be getting myself in drag to go to a bar becaug no money while constantly spending money just to leave the house looking good. I was just beginning a full-time job as a fashion stylist’s assistant where I worked on glamorous photo and video shoots as well as the business side of those I had to pursue this passion. I started performing any place I could and eventually fell into a nice groove. Getting myself out there weekend after weekend people began to know who I was and I made friendships and connections that allowed me to finally feel at home in this new city. Now I’m at the point where I’m happy to just be doing my own thing. I enjoy dressing up, getting out there on the scene, and making new connections with others in my community to expand my chosen queer family.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the hardest things I’ve had to learn how to manage is time. With my day time fashion job I regularly work 50+ hours a week, leaving me with a small amount of free time at the end of each day where I try to fit in workouts and meals. Leaving any remaining time devoted to sewing, crafting, and wig styling. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m always getting far less hours of sleep than I should be. It’s just part of the process for me. I would never want to have to choose between my passion for fashion styling and my passion for drag, so I’m doing what it takes to make both work!
Another thing that bothers me on occasion is my identity. For drag, I take on the name Mercury Minx and I cover my face in makeup and put a big wig on my head, visually I become a completely different person while my personality stays the same. For a while I was going to my favorite clubs looking fabulous, meeting amazing people, and having a great time, yet if I ever went to the same places completely out of drag, no glitter, no heels, the same people I spoke to a week before would have a lot less to say to me before finding an excuse to exit the conversation. It was very frustrating for me because I knew that on the inside I was the same person and it was clear that certain people were only interested in appearances and the novelty of a shiny drag queen. It was jarring but I just had to take some time to find the right people who liked me for the time we spent together and the fun we had. I thankfully now have amazing friends and we build each other up and support each other whether we are looking amazing on the scene or at home in PJs.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a drag performer and in Los Angeles. I sew costumes, style wigs, and create a character for the sake of nightlife presence and entertainment. I’m most known for my looks as that’s what I put a lot of effort into and when I’m out at a show whether or not people talk to me they will at least see me.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I think being myself as well as being a good person are the most important part of my success thus far. I look out for my friends and others around me and I’m always open to making new friends whether it be with someone who just moved here or someone who already has a million friends. I have no interest in stepping on others to get myself further ahead because to me that is counterproductive to my definition of success. I’m here to be a source of positivity in my community.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @mercuryminxicorn
Image Credit:
David Laffe, Dominic Valentino Le Fort, Taline Postajian, Mario Sanchez
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
