Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sugar Vermonte. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sugar, 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?
I have never fit in with the crowd. As an extremely flamboyant, overweight drag queen, I tend to stand out.
For most of my life, I tried to change myself to conform to what people said I “should” be. Lower that voice, suck in the gut, take the flare from a 10 to a 2.
Well, spoiler alert, that never worked.
It wasn’t until I embraced my true self and leaned in to what makes me different that I’ve found personal and professional success.
And it feels good. It feels right. I’m being my authentic self, and people respond so well to it.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I started Maybe Cheese Born With It, my drag queen mac n cheese food truck during the pandemic.
We serve loaded gourmet mac n cheese, with delicious toppings, a big ole smile, and a touch of sass.
Really, my entire business has been driven by the motto “What Would Dolly Do?”
That’s why I’m so excited to announce the creation of the Million(ish) Dolly March at the Toledo Pride Parade this year.
In a time of political polarization and dangerous rhetoric from politicians in Ohio like Rep Josh “Joshin Around With Nazis” Williams, it’s more important than ever to show the world that Drag Is Not A Crime – we’re not dangerous or crazy, we’re just trying to throw on a Dolly Parton wig and spread sunshine and glitter.
Drag queens, soccer moms, biker dads, and everyone in between have teamed up to march up Adams Street in Dolly Parton wigs and stuffed blouses, handing out free books to kids along the parade route – all while jamming to 9 to 5 and looking great doing it!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Firstly, whoever you are, be that. If your authentic self isn’t a loud mouthed drag queen, don’t try to shove yourself into that mold! Conversely, if your authentic self IS a big ole drag queen, don’t try to cover up that flame or you’re liable to burn the house down.
Second, have a plan, but be ready to throw that plan out the window when things go wrong – and things will ALWAYS go wrong. The ability to make quick decisions under pressure and overcome adversity cannot be overvalued.
Lastly, when in doubt, spit out the truth! It’s one of the mottos that I hold close to my heart. Don’t try to cover up screw-ups, don’t flimflam around the truth, just tell the whole truth right from the start.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
I am who I am today because of the strong foundation that my parents gave me while I was young.
I had an amazing childhood with loving, involved parents – and then in high school, they both tragically died- my father freshman year and my mother senior year.
That was a nuclear bomb that went off and exploded the life that I thought I was preparing myself for. My ivy league dreams flew out the window as it took every ounce of energy and willpower in my body just to get through those rough, dark years.
The silver lining is that I DID get through them. I’ll never stop missing and loving my parents, but as I’ve grown up, that sadness is mixed with overwhelming gratitude.
I had two smart, hard working dedicated parents – Ed and Patty. If it weren’t for the values instilled in me while they were alive, I never would have survived their deaths.
Contact Info:
- Website: MaybeCheeseBornWithIt.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaybeCheeseBornWithIt
Image Credits
Kandidly Krystle
