Meet Jackie O’Nasty Graves

We were lucky to catch up with Jackie O’Nasty Graves recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jackie O’Nasty , 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?
While I draw from a lot of classic drag aesthetics, it was still difficult to really find a place where the type of drag I do would not only be tolerated but celebrated. Ive been called a theater queen, comedy queen, alt queen and Dairy queen. I was truly blessed to meet my drag mother several years ago (May May Graves) who also happens to be a stone cold weirdo herself. Seeing her be herself so authentically and carve out that space for herself was so inspiring to me. Through her example I discovered that if you truly love what you’re doing, even if its not the norm or what people expect, folks will see that love and be drawn to it.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a Drag Queen extravaganza! I sing, I dance, I lip synch and create props and costumes. I’ve created this bumbly bubbly drag persona by the name of Jackie O’Nasty. I love to make people laugh even when they feel like they shouldn’t. I enjoy creating the type of acts that people can’t wait to tell their coworkers about Monday morning.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I have always been interested in non traditional art, especially performance art and I think that helped move me in the direction of where I am now. I was also a thespian in high school which basically sealed the deal for me.

My advice to anyone wanting to branch out into drag or any kind of non traditional art would be to let your personality shine through it. Impress yourself first and foremost and do what YOU love rather than what you think others will love.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am always looking for folks to collab with! Especially those who are interested in designing or prop making. The creative mind is a beautiful thing and I always enjoy meeting others just as passionate.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Photo by Mark Mayr

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