Ethan Wanless says he’s always enjoyed playing with makeup, but has only been doing drag for about a year. He says he was inspired by RuPaul’s Drag Race, and has been hooked ever since.
“The fun of it is going out and being a character and being the star of my own musical,” Wanless said.
Wanless says his character Kelli Eletrix is inspired by beautiful, yet dangerous comic book and movie characters, and she has a few different looks of her own.
The 25-year-old is vying for the title of Alberta’s Next Drag Superstar. Wanless says when Eletrix is on stage, she’s energetic, bold, and those watching can expect a combination of lip syncing and acrobatics.
Becoming her is no easy feat.
It all starts with a good foundation, and covering up the eyebrows. Add in the eyes, contouring, and lips, it can take upwards of two hours for Wanless to transform. “The makeup, and the hair, and making costumes, it’s all so theatrical.”
But, that’s why he loves it.
Eletrix will perform in a major competition in Edmonton next week.
“This is going to be my first big step.”
But learning about the world of drag has been eye opening for Eletrix. “It’s a whole new community of people who have actually had to fight to do this.”
And she’s hoping the experience at the competition in Edmonton will help her achieve another dream, of growing the relatively small drag scene in the city.
“It’s time for Red Deer to have its own [drag] community.”
She said drag events in Red Deer are usually only scheduled during Pride Fest in August, and Eletrix says she’s interested in opening up a drag club one day.
The preliminary round of the competition is at Evolution Wonderlounge in Edmonton, and the finals are scheduled for May 5.
Eletrix will perform in the preliminary competition in Edmonton on March 17.
