Jessica L’Whor has never been one to shy away from the limelight; for her, life itself is a dazzling stage.
Starting her drag career as a student at Colorado State University, she has now become a beloved icon in the local LGBTQ+ community, captivating audiences at places like Osteria Marco’s drag-brunch bingos, hosting RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing parties at Hamburger Mary’s, and even judging auditions for drag shows during Denver Pride.
With over 11 years of experience entertaining Colorado, Jessica has no desire to relocate to larger drag scenes in cities like New York or Los Angeles.
“Drag in Denver is so overlooked, and it’s as wonderfully prominent as in other cities,” says Jessica, whose performance persona contrasts with her real name, Zachary Sullivan, when not performing.
“I’m so invested in this scene and supporting local artists.”
One of her significant contributions to the local community is an event she launched last year called “Colorado’s Next Drag Superstar,” where local performers vie for the coveted title at X Bar, with another competition scheduled for this August.
While engaging in her artistry, Jessica knows too well that not all feedback is positive.
She gained national attention in 2018 when she presented an anti-bullying seminar at a Thornton middle school under her family-friendly alter ego, Miss Jessica.
Though her presentation was deemed appropriate, several parents voiced their discontent.
“Drag is no different than any other sort of entertainment,” she explains.
“Just like movies and sports games, drag can be family-friendly or adult-oriented. We teach kindness, self-love, and acceptance of others’ differences.”
Yet, in her experience, not everyone in Colorado grasps the concept of drag, which is why, in July 2023, Jessica initiated her TikTok video series “Ask A Queen.”
The premise is straightforward: she sets herself up in busy areas, like outside Coors Field before a Rockies game, inviting passersby to ask her questions and handing them a dollar for their curiosity—she has given away over $1,000 so far.
“Wearing full glam on the streets is a way to show people that we exist, and offering them money is a way to inspire healthy conversations,” she explains.
The diverse range of questions she receives has made the project one of her favorites.
Her TikTok presence has resonated with audiences, with one clip of a woman politely offering to pray for Jessica accumulating 3.5 million views.
In a conversation with 5280, Jessica shared some memorable questions and her candid answers.
When asked what led her to drag, she admitted, “I hated drag. I was very insecure with myself and called it gross and disgusting.
After attending a drag show with a partner who loved it, I fell in love with the queen onstage, which inspired us to head to Walmart and buy some makeup.
I kept doing it, and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”
Jessica also answered lighter questions, revealing her preference between pop icons: “If we’re considering longevity, I would pick Christina.
I understand Britney’s circumstances, but Christina is still working, collaborating, and creating new music.”
Responding about her makeup, she described her look saying, “I wear black eyeliner with dark purple and a silver shimmer in the middle.”
On safety in her daily life, she expressed gratitude for her supportive network: “I’m thankful to be surrounded by people who make me feel safe.
I’m always on my guard, though.”
In a playful response to whether she could do the splits, she quipped, “I can do what I call a half-assed split, where I bounce down halfway and then allow myself to get up.”
Regarding her unique approach to giving away dollar bills, she shared her intent to challenge the negative perceptions of drag queens.
“Drag queens are looked at in a bad light right now, and I wanted to show people that we can just go out and have open conversations.
Usually, we get tipped dollars, so I thought it would be fun to give dollars away.”
As for her culinary passions, she humorously declared, “I’m addicted to A.1. steak sauce. I will drink it through a straw.
I need an IV of it.”
On a more serious note, when asked about the best queer anthem of all time, Jessica passionately noted, “I feel like you can’t help but dance whenever ‘Dancing Queen’ by ABBA comes on.”
Jessica also offered heartfelt advice for young LGBTQ+ individuals: “I think the sooner you embrace being LGBTQ+, the happier you’ll be.
If you have supportive family and friends, it makes it a lot easier, because ultimately, you’re just being you.”
As Denver Pride approaches, Jessica L’Whor has highlighted three must-attend events, emphasizing the importance of community engagement.
The first event, Fruity Arts Fest, is set to bring independent LGBTQ+-owned businesses together on June 8 at the newly expanded ReelWorks Denver.
This event will feature over 75 vendors, showcasing everything from flash tattoos to handmade jewelry, promising enough glitter to keep everyone sparkling all summer.
Next, Drag Nation promises to transform Tracks nightclub into a thrilling space for drag enthusiasts on the last Friday of every month, featuring local talent and special guest performances, with this month’s stars being Drag Race alums Jewels Sparkles and Lexi Love.
Lastly, Denver’s Pride event is expected to attract over 500,000 attendees to Civic Center Park, celebrating love and community from June 28 to 29.
With an impressive lineup of local artisans and food vendors, this festival continues to symbolize the spirit of acceptance and celebration in Denver.
image source from：https://www.5280.com/how-denver-drag-legend-jessica-lwhor-went-viral-on-tiktok/
