Meet Lala Luzious

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lala Luzious. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lala below.

Hi Lala , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

Growing up, I realized early on that I was often the only one “like me” in the room. As a Black, queer, plus-size person, I constantly stood out. My family was the only Black family in our neighborhood, and I was usually the biggest or tallest kid in every grade. Even though it took time for me to understand what it meant to be queer, I always had a more feminine, eccentric personality compared to my peers. To this day, I often find myself as the only person in the room who looks or identifies like I do.
Being different wasn’t something I had to “learn” to navigate — it was simply the reality of my life. As a child, I often wished I could fit in, but by my teenage years, I came to understand that blending in wasn’t who I was meant to be. If those years taught me anything, it was to embrace my individuality and fully own it. Everyone deserves to feel the power of self-love — it’s one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. But there’s a difference between basic self-love vs stepping into your power and truly owning who you are. When you move through life unapologetically being yourself — because no one else can — it’s an incredibly liberating and empowering experience. But I also believe that loving yourself is only the first step — the real magic happens in what comes next.
There’s immense power in being the only one in the room. While it can sometimes bring feelings of isolation or self-doubt, I’ve always viewed it as an opportunity. When you’re the only one, you set the standard — you become the trailblazer, the blueprint, the pioneer. It gives you the freedom to chart your own path. I’ve been told countless times what I couldn’t achieve because I’m Black, queer, plus-size, or “too much.” But someone else’s doubt doesn’t define my potential. Just because something hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
Success is about having the inner strength to keep pushing, dreaming, and creating. Whatever your passion is, keep going. In that light, success becomes a reflection of your dedication and perseverance. If you stay true to who you are and what you love, that level of commitment will empower you to achieve anything you set your mind to. This holds true in every phase of life. My goals and dreams are different now than they were 10 or 15 years ago, but one thing hasn’t changed: my commitment to being authentically me.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m Lala Luzious, also known as “The Snack of the Twin Cities,” a drag artist whose journey into entertainment began at a young age. One of my earliest memories is pretending to be Michael Jackson by putting on any glove or sock I could find—my love for performing was clear from the start. While my career began on stage, it’s since expanded into podcasting, acting, journalism, and makeup artistry. Today, I’m proud to call myself a drag multimedia personality.

One of the most exciting aspects of drag is its versatility, and I’m always eager to explore new avenues of expression. Based in the Twin Cities, I’m one of the few local entertainers who can say they’ve performed on every drag stage in the area. In December 2019, I launched Luzious Entertainment, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pivoting quickly, I started my podcast, Snack Size, where I celebrate living your best, most fabulous life by sharing my experiences and inviting guests from diverse backgrounds to share theirs. This creative outlet kept my business thriving during the pandemic.

When live performances returned, I founded POWER: Drag Revue, a show dedicated to uplifting BIPOC and transgender performers, giving them a platform in professional entertainment spaces. Through POWER, I’ve provided over 70 local artists the opportunity to showcase their talent, some of whom have become highly successful in the Twin Cities drag scene. Watching these performers grow has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career.

As POWER became a local staple, I sought new challenges and began contributing to Twin Cities Gay Scene with my column, Snack Scene. This has given me the opportunity to interview icons like Billy Porter and Jonathan Van Ness. I’ve also pioneered what I call “Drag at Work,” bringing drag events into corporate settings to foster inclusivity and promote diversity in workplaces across the Twin Cities. Over the past two years, I’ve collaborated with around 40 companies, big and small, to create these engaging events.

Looking ahead, my next goal is to bring drag into schools. While I know this may come with its share of challenges, I believe that visibility is powerful. Growing up, I didn’t have someone like me to look up to, and had I discovered drag earlier, it might have helped me find my purpose, my confidence—myself—sooner. I want to ensure that future generations know they can dream big and pursue their passions, whatever they may be.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

First, as cliché as it may sound, it’s essential to believe that anything is possible—especially when it feels like it isn’t. I attended a military boarding high school, which, while it taught me a lot about strength and resilience, was not the easiest environment for someone like me. During my first year, I was attacked while sleeping in my dorm room. I was thrown into a closet, and books—particularly Bibles, which we all had in our rooms—were hurled at me. What stands out to me when I recall that night isn’t the physical pain or the bruises, but the overwhelming sense of helplessness and the question, “Why won’t the world just let me be me?” If you had told me back then that I would one day have the life I live now—being a successful drag artist—I wouldn’t have believed it. At the time, it felt unimaginable. But that’s exactly what happened. My experiences taught me that no matter how good or bad things seem, life has a way of changing, often in ways we can’t foresee. This belief—that things can and will change—has been a guiding principle in my life. It allows me to place my faith in possibilities rather than setbacks. And that mindset has been crucial to my success.
The topic of change brings me to my second point: the importance of embracing it. As humans, we tend to fear change, but fear is rarely a path to success. If you’re not living the life you want, something has to change—so why fear the very thing that could lead to your breakthrough? Adaptability, even when it makes you feel vulnerable, has been essential to my journey. Embracing change has pushed me to think outside the box, explore new creative mediums, and ultimately expand my reach, leading to new opportunities. My advice is to stay curious and open to trying new things. The more adaptable you are, the better prepared you’ll be for whatever comes next.
And finally, but most importantly, trust that you know yourself better than anyone else—so stay true to that. It’s great to have people who love and support you, but at the end of the day, you are the captain of your own ship. You should do what makes sense for you. There have been many moments in my life, like when I first started doing drag, that didn’t make sense to others, but they made perfect sense to me—so I went for it. Some of my biggest wins have come from following what I call my inner compass. Whatever you’re striving to do, be, or achieve, listen closely to that inner voice. It will guide you to where you need to go, in the way that’s right for you.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

I recently “graduated” (my words, not anyone else’s) from therapy. I’m a huge advocate for mental health, encouraging everyone to seek the help they need. I started therapy after a breakup about three years ago—it was my first significant heartbreak, and at the time, I really needed support. However, looking back, that period of healing turned out to be one of the most beautiful chapters of my life. It became a journey of coming home to myself. Somewhere between the relationship and the rising success of my drag career, I lost sight of who I was as a person—independent of what I did or who I was with. Many people define their value by what they do or have, but true self-love comes from knowing who you are at your core and recognizing your inherent worth. I realized that if I wanted to continue growing, I had to reconnect with that inner light. Therapy was instrumental in helping me rediscover myself, and I’m so proud I stayed committed, even when the process was tough at times.
During this time, incredible things happened: I found success with my entertainment business, appeared on Jay Leno’s You Bet Your Life, landed my first acting role in Alison Guessou’s web series It’s Not You, launched my makeup line, SNAX by Lala, and even checked off some bucket-list items like seeing Beyoncé and Adele in concert. All these things happened while I was healing and becoming more “me” than ever before. I was putting in the work and the world reflected that back to me.
Now, three years later, life feels fabulous. I reached a point where I realized I wanted to just enjoy life for what it is, and that’s when I decided to end my therapy sessions, knowing I can always return if needed. For now, I’m embracing my “bold journey” and making sure I am fully living in it, and I couldn’t be more proud of the person I’ve become AND excited for the person I am going to be.

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Image Credits

Dain Rodriguez-Hines, Frankhouse Photos, Jason Bucklin, Clockwork Steve

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