We recently connected with Anya Bacon and have shared our conversation below.
Anya, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Growing up, so many of us constantly think about what others are thinking about us. What makes us different, what makes us stand out, and rarely are these differences seen as strengths among young kids. And the majority of folks fixate on this way of thinking through their adult lives. This easily carries over into a queer community which can be very shallow and oriented on looks alone. When I was starting drag, and coming up in the Salt Lake City scene, there was a lot of separation in the community by what drag “should” be. I got many snide comments to my face, whispers behind my back, and many sent over social media regarding my weight and lack of “polish”. It only got more intense when I decided to grow a beard. I was the 2nd bearded drag artist in the city.
During this same time, I was consuming as much information about drag as I could get my hands on. I came across a clip of an interview with another plus-size drag queen, where she discussed how she was also bullied as a kid for being feminine and fat, and how there was a power shift when she put on a wig and a dress. When I tell you this took my breath away and blew my mind… I am not exaggerating. Because I had lived that exact same moment. The words she spoke truly opened a brand new level of confidence for me: Seeing someone who looked like me, who has lived through similar things, and absolutely killing it… In that short moment, she helped me see that I will always get attention for what I look like. It may be good attention, it may be bad attention, but I will always get it.
This new found empowerment has carried me through many struggles. I know that I will always be judged for how I look and how I present myself. But if people are looking anyways, may as well give them some excellence and success to look at.
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?
Every year I am in drag, I am lucky enough that my career continues to blossom. This year has been no different. Not only have I gotten the opportunity to perform in several different states, I got to assist in launching and maintaining a nonprofit called the United Drag Alliance, I played a major part in opening a physical resource center for our nonprofit (Mosaics in Provo, UT), I’ve joined the national organization of Drag Story Hour, start a monthly drag story hour, I’ve been given 3 drag residencies (Maytrons of Mayhem, Those Bitches at Club Try-Angles, and Why Kiki), I’ve gotten to officiate weddings, continue the legacy of an all-ages drag show BesTEAS, I’ve gotten my own monthly brunch, I’ve launched a line of merch, and so many other wonderful things.
One of the many positives in my life that I am very excited about, is the variety of art I’m able to share through my different residencies. I am constantly surrounded by such incredible talents, both new to the scene and seasoned legends. I get to be silly, or serious, or sultry. I get to do it all! I truly am the queen who will be doing shots with the bridal party on Friday night at the club between numbers, and turn around to spend my Saturday afternoon reading picture books and doing crafts with children. (It’s called range.) I get to perform everything from Broadway ballads, to top 40, to Toxic by Britney Spears where I pull a toy McDouble out of my fake chest. I love that I am at a place in my career where I get to do what makes me and my audience happy.
When you come to an Anya Bacon show, you’ll see that my numbers and hosting will include some form of campy humor because that is at the base of me as a person. I, like so many others, have had Life hand me my backside in some pretty significant ways. I’ve held loved ones as they passed from various diseases, I’ve been through “religious restorative therapy”, I’ve been diagnosed with several mental health conditions, I’ve survived abuse, and the list goes on. But one of my main goals in drag is to help my audience have a good time. I don’t know what they’re going through outside these walls. But if I can give them even a few minutes of happiness where they don’t think about the horrors of life, then I’ve given them what has saved me. This can look like a child who’s starting to question social norms, finds themselves in a book. Or a teenager who has been disowned by their parents after coming out, finds community at a dance party. Or an adult who is losing a loved one to cancer, smiles for the first time in weeks because I pulled a full Domino’s pizza out from under my dress.
Besides the monthly drag story time, the monthly all-ages show, monthly charity bingo, and other current events, I have new exciting opportunities on the horizon as well! I have plans to take my drag foolishness to several new states and towns, working toward my goal of performing in each of the 50 states. We have some big events happening soon with the United Drag Alliance, including a 5K in Heels, and our own pride event, Riot Pride, coming back for a 3rd year. My Instagram is going to be on fire with everything coming down the pipeline!
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?
The three skills that have gotten me through my tumultuous past and upbringing are 1) Remaining teachable, 2) Leading with kindness, and 3) Loving the moments.
I did a lot of my teenage emotional growth in high school theatre. I was struggling to come to terms with the fact that I am queer, in deeply religious rural Utah. I started on stage in Rogers & Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” in the ensemble my first year, and worked my way up to having solos and notable parts in many shows by my senior year. One thing that my then teacher and director, now friend, said to me was “Remain teachable. Always. No one is the best at everything, and there is something to learn from everyone”. This has stuck with me in every aspect of my life. I have found through producing shows of my own, that everyone from the security guard to the stage kitten to the most seasoned performer out there has valuable things to share. Does everything they share have to apply to the current situation? No. But people come into our lives for a reason, usually with a lesson. I have seen people stop progressing in their careers, relationships, and life because they thought they were the epitome of what they were doing. To the point where they start regressing. And that is not what I want for my future. Keeping in mind how far you’ve come, but continuing to stay open to learning, will make your life so much sweeter. This also lends you an opportunity to share skills and resources with those around you. And when you water the garden, everyone grows.
By definition, kindness is “the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate”. To me, kindness is acting from a place of love. That doesn’t mean that you can’t ever give feedback, or have a tough conversation. But it means that when those things occur, you approach those situations with a soft heart and a willing ear. Coming to a situation with kindness in your heart will help you connect to those around you in such a profound way. Kindness will accomplish far more than a clenched fist. Kindness is the thing everyone needs, but far too few get. Non-judgemental, candid kindness brings us as people together.
We all know that life is only temporary, and none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. In my 31 years of life, I have faced more heartbreak and attended more funerals than I care to count. Retrospectively, this has helped me cherish moments as they happen. None of them are pristine and perfect, as they shouldn’t be. Some are messy and drunk, some are put together and beautiful, and most are in-between. The moments we are left with when everything else fades away, are what will bring us the most joy and pride. And being able to look at a situation you’re in at that moment, and know it’s a forever moment, is a truly honorable gift.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am always looking for new connections and open to many collaborations! Currently, I’m looking to collaborate with folks on creating a drag story time tour of the Intermountain West region. My immediate goal for making this happen in 2025 is to create a network of folks in this area of the US to bring drag story times and all-ages-friendly shows to small, rural towns like the one I grew up in. I would love to connect on details of local performers who would be interested in working with me to plan and execute these stops. This “tour” would be in conjunction with the United Drag Alliance, Drag Story Hour: Intermountain West, local performers, and local pride organizations.
Picture it with me: A drag story time in the afternoon, followed by “Crafting with Royalty” (name subject to change), then a family-friendly drag show in a rural American town. A town with queer people struggling to feel seen and heard. Anywhere in Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Northern California, Arizona, New Mexico, or Colorado are welcome to chat with me on this endeavor!
If this interests anyone who is reading, please reach out to me on Instagram! I would LOVE to set up a time for us to chat about details, dates, what it is your community needs, and how we can help with an event like what I described. I want our community to grow, and we can only do that by coming together.
Aside from that, I have a goal of performing drag in all 50 states. Not only to say that I’ve done it, but to meet other communities, build bridges, share resources, and help bring our community closer together. We need to stick together with everything happening politically. I believe the best way to build up our community, is to face it as a community. No one person can make all of the changes that are needed. And if we even have one connection in another part of the country, we are already more connected than we were.
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Image Credits
Ben Morgan Photography, Gunslinger Photography, Amy Livingston Photography
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