Today we’d like to introduce you to Chanel Belladonna
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started drag in early 2019 in Baltimore City at a small dive bar called Leon’s, which is Baltimores longest continually operating gay bar. I was introduced to drag by going out to the college nights at the old Grand Central Nightclub before it closed on Thursday nights. There I was introduced to my drag mother, Anastasia Belladonna. She was a staple in the Baltimore LGBT+ community and I admired the drag she did every night. She took the time to get to know me and helped shape me into the person I am today. After going to the shows for about a year, she booked me in my first drag show and I haven’t looked back. Since then, I have met so many amazing entertainers in the Baltimore and DC community and have formed so many amazing friendships. In 2021, alongside my best friend and fellow entertainer Dustyn Dawn, we created Absolutely Dragulous as a way to expand drag brunches, bingos, and other events all around Maryland. We started with one monthly brunch in Federal Hill and have since expanded to Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County, & Montgomery County. We have also had the privilege to partner with so many amazing organizations such as The Trevor Project, Baltimore Abortion Fund, and the Human Rights Campaign to give back to the communities who support us and our art.
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?
It has not always been easy. We have had a rollercoaster of dealing with some of the immediate post Covid restrictions. Additionally, we have dealt with various changes in management at different venues that have not always been the most supportive of drag. In those circumstances, we have always held our head high and stood in our truth knowing when to walk away. We ultimately know there are so many out there who support us and love what we do, so we have always sought out to continue to grow our community and bring our crowds to the venues that support us and our art.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a drag entertainer, you have to be good at a lot of different things. Makeup, hair, costumes, music mixing, choreography, acting, hosting, the list goes on. I would necessarily consider myself a “dancer” or “stunt queen” but I definitely know how to move in drag and entertain my audience during my different numbers. Another part of drag I have really come to love over the past couple of years is hosting and connecting with the audience one on one. You never know what people who come to your shows are going through and to be able to put smiles on everyone’s faces is the most rewarding part. I am definitely proud of some of our partnerships with local pride organizations, and being the first drag entertainers to perform at the National Cherry Blossom Festival in DC. The thing that sets me apart from the other drag entertainers is of course my stunning makeup and outfits, but I put a lot of pride and value in my partnership with local organizations and charities to give back to our community.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
There have definitely been more and more drag entertainers popping up even since I started, especially with how mainstream shows such as Rupauls Drag Race and the Boulder Brothers Dragula have gotten. I love to see how the drag scene has even evolved post Covid in Baltimore. It has gotten even more diverse and I love to see the newer entertainers starting their own shows and production companies. It lets me know the community here is growing and wants to continue to support queer art. The more local drag we have the better!
Pricing:
- Our brunches usually cost anywhere between $15-$25
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.absolutely-dragulous.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chanelbelladonna?igsh=MXdndDJ3bTJkMzdwcw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
