Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivanna Peessa.
Hi Ivanna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started drag December of 2019 in Asbury Park NJ. I moved to Baltimore in September 2021. Breaking into a new scene wasn’t that easy but I’m managed to find my way to the local queer dive bar, Mixers. Over time, by finding connections and practicing and refining my craft, my art began to evolve into a career. In 2023 I won the Miss Mixers pageant (which is the longest running drag pageant in Baltimore.) It was the first thing I’ve won at–ever. It helped me become stronger artist, finding my brand, pushing my limits and creating things I never knew I could create. During my reign, I watched the Campy Drag Reality Competition Show “Camp Wannakiki” announce their casting season 6. With the confidence I had built over the years I decided to audition and just like that…my world turned upside down when I received the e-mail that I was cast for season 6! Preparing for this show was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I had a month and a half to prepare 10 looks with very little money, skills or help. It was turning the impossible possible. But filming a reality show was even harder. They filmed a grueling 10 episodes in only 10 days. Although Camp Wannakiki is a low budget indie show, it still was a very serious hard job to film “in character” with enthusiasm and maintaining a “campy can-do attitude” when you’ve barely slept running on adrenaline and glitter. But it also felt like summer camp. It was filmed in Wisconsin near a beautiful lake, the water was warm and it was surrounded by nature everywhere. One night another contestant and I witnessed a deer walking by us in the middle of the night shortly after a fox darted past. It felt magical. After filming I went back home to Baltimore and couldn’t tell a soul what I had experienced so as not to ruin the surprise of the show. It was tough. But once the series was released on July 11 2024, all my hard work was worth it. I went to the Premiere in Denver and I had so much fun performing with my peers and bonding over our experiences. After getting more of a cult status and having new opportunities to travel and perform, I feel like a new drag artist. I have also found out that I am the first drag artist to represent Baltimore in a drag competition series. What’s next? Well I’ve dipped my toes into producing drag shows and I’m preparing the best drag experience at the Club Car this Halloween titled “Camp Fright!” Featuring a campy horror film and a spectacular drag show! Buy your tickets on eventbrite now!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My life has been filled with struggles from the start. I was born with smaller cerebellum which causes mobility, dexterity, and language issues. Later being diagnosed with Language Processing Disorder and had a lack of depth perception. I wore glasses and had multiple eye surgeries as a kid. Growing up, I was always different. Bullied by other kids and adults who misunderstood me. I was quiet and had no concept on how to fit in. I wasn’t born to be “Normal.” Throughout my life, there’s been a long to be like others. From childhood to teenhood to young adulthood I went through several depressions. Darkness was my normal. Anxiety was my status quo. Most nights I’d cry myself to sleep. And in my late 20s after losing a fiancé and a job I decided to take my own life. Waking up from a failed overdose on prescription pills leaves you feeling disoriented and no doubt had led to some brain issues. It felt like purgatory.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am Baltimore’s Cheesiest Camp Queen. I’ve been doing drag for 6 years now. I’m a delicious combination of the past and future of drag. I love to pay homage to old school drag and old school music. The music that I perform is typically seen as “obscure.” I don’t like to do what others are doing. I fell in love with old school music and drag because it’s our queer history. I like to honor though LGBTQIA+ individuals that are from the past and teach today’s youth about their history–the songs that have played in gay bars of the past being played to the present. Everything I do is a love letter to the queer ancestors of the past. But there’s a duality. My drag doesn’t look like the past, more of a hybrid of the past, now, and the future. I like to make my own unique and avant-garde headpieces with a fully matching conceptual look. I NEVER wear wigs. In fact, when I was in my early 20’s I started losing my hair. Finally after years of trying to fix my hair loss…I embraced it. From large colorful lashes to monochromatic dresses. I have only done drag with a beard therefore I will always be a bearded queen. From added color and making my own costume beard clips, I make sure I stand out above anything else. A typical Ivanna Peessa performance usually includes an old song mixed with a new song mixed with a comedic dialogue clip. Comedy and laughter is the best medicine and I feel it is my duty to entertain and make an audience feel good. I really started performing and got my start during the pandemic. I choose to be positive and bright in a world of darkness. If I could bring some relief and joy for 5-10mins, I’ve made a difference.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I live a lucky life. I’ve had so many fantastic experiences, from being on TV, traveling, connecting and really having the gift of creativity. I’m very mindful of what I attract. For half of my life I was stuck in a negative perspective so I attracted negativity. Now I try to complain less. I count my blessings and remind myself on what I’m grateful for on a regular basis. Creating Ivanna forced myself out of my introverted nature to be the center of attention. It’s crazy to think that this quiet, anxious, clumsy kid has turned into a powerful and confident drag artist. I’m proud of how far I’ve come and I accept the good and the bad. It was all apart of my journey. I think in many businesses it’s the power of faith, hope and not accepting defeat. Life is full of obstacles but you become strong enough to see the hurdles coming and you make that jump. I always believe in karma and paying things forward. I make sure I help my community where I can. The best part of drag is sharing the wealth with my community. If I have a great show filled with lots of tips, I use those tips to tip others. Whether it’s a good deed or it makes me feel good or whatever, I want everyone to succeed. Since surviving death, the little things in life that we complain about really do feel little to me. One of my mantras is “Shut up and be grateful.” Since practicing daily meditations, gratitude thinking and trusting things work out how they will, my life has been pretty great. I own a rowehouse in Fells Point, I have a great partner who loves me, and I’m happy with all of my achievements with drag. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a daily practice of reminding myself to be positive. But like I said in life there is good and bad, you have to take both. Enjoy the good, learn and grow from the bad. I use a lot of flower and plant imagery in my drag. The reason? ‘Being you’ starts out as a small seed and with the right about of light, water, love and care, you grow. That’s how I see it. The bad luck I felt I was attracting had to grow into perspective to attract the good luck.
