Nov 11, 2004

VR: Who is Paisley Parque?
PP: She is a Plus Size Queen with a Creative Flair.

VR: Where are you living these days?
PP: I live in Greensboro, NC

VR: I know this is a hard question, but can you tell us what your life has been about?
PP: Where do I begin? I am an only child, so I believe that is where my creativity came from. I have been through a lot in my short 32 years. The hardest thing I have had to deal with was losing my mother in 1999 to Leukemia. It hurt so much, however, I believe it has made me a stronger & more independent person. I like to make people laugh & be happy. Sometimes, I feel like I am trying to please everyone all the time. But, you have to realize sometime that you can never make that happen.

VR: When you were growing up and each morning you would look in the mirror did you feel that was the wrong person looking back at you?
PP: When, I looked in the mirror. I really didn't see a boy or a girl. I saw an androgynous creature that craved attention & wanted to be famous.

VR: Who was your inspiration growing up?
PP: My mother & my grandmother. They were both strong willed women with a flair for fashion. On a celebrity side, Boy George & Dolly Parton.

VR: Who do you admire these days?
PP: My friends. My groups of friends are very diverse. They support me in all my endeavors, no matter how "off the wall". Some of my favorite entertainers are Coti Collins & Denise Russell.

VR: What has been your biggest accomplishment in life so far?
PP: Having my own show "The Sex Kitten Round-Up" at Warehouse 29. It is totally me. It's different from most of the shows that you will see. It's fresh, fun & creative.

VR: You are really big in the drag scene there in North Carolina, how did you get so involved with drag shows and pageants?
PP: I started performing as soon as I came out of the closet. I have traveled all over NC over the last 14 years. Performing, Competing & helping my sisters achieve their goals. I like keeping my nose in all aspects of the art form.

VR: What do you like about drag?
PP: I like the creative aspect. I like creating my characters & performing for a crowd. The best part about performing is being able to entertain.

VR: Do you think you are a nice person or do you think you can be a bitch at times?
PP: I think in general, I am a very nice person. However, I am very detail orientated & anal about certain aspects of my Drag. Sometimes, I am bitchie to my dressers because I want everything to be perfect. I am also a very shy person outside of the make-up. So, sometimes people may think I am snobby for not talking to them when I am out of Drag.

VR: What do you think makes you stand out above others?
PP: My creativity & my outrageousness. I have always been told, that I have been ahead of my time. However, I think it's catching up with me & I am about right on time now. LOL I do a lot of different characters. (IE. Boy George, Divine, Kelly Osborne, Annie Lennox (At Large), KT Oslin, etc.)

VR: Do you get nervous when you are asked to speak to a group or perform on stage?
PP: I used to get very nervous. However, after years of speaking & performing in front of people, I have got used to it. I still get nervous when I compete in a pageant, because I want to do my best.

VR: Do you consider yourself a drag queen or a transsexual?
PP: I am a Drag Queen.

VR: Would you ever get SRS (reassignment surgery) or when did you have your surgery?
PP: I definitely feel, I am a woman trapped in a man's body. Being a transsexual is a hard life. If I had more feminine features, like smaller hands, feet or thicker hair. I might consider it. For the most part I am happy with who I am.

VR: Are you in love now?
PP: not at the moment, but I am always looking.

VR: Where do you see yourself in the future?
PP: I see myself still performing. I want to continue to learn new things & hopefully be a National Title Holder one day.

VR: As drag type entertainers do you think you have received proper respect you deserve?
PP: I do know. It took me many years of hard work to get where I am today. I feel very respected & I am asked to judge a lot of pageants.

VR: What do you think you have to offer the transgender community, anything at all?
PP: friendship and support

VR: Who is your favorite fiction character(s), in literature or in the movies, and why?
PP: Wonder Woman and Princess Leia. I like women that are strong & beautiful.

VR: What words of wisdom would you give a to someone who is reaching out for help?
PP: Find a Drag Mother & stick by her. Also, sit back & listen to everyone. Talk to new & old entertainers. Everyone can teach you something different.

VR: Do you have a final statement, for our readers?
PP: Stay true to yourself & it you can dream it you can achieve it. It may not happen over night. It didn’t for me. But, if you stick with it. It can happen one day.

NOTE FROM VICKI RENE: I am on this wonderful lady's mailing list, I have never seen anyone work as hard as she does to keep the word and the work of the ladies of North Carolina alive. I am not sure how she does it, but she does. Good luck to you Miss Paisley Parque Keep up all the work you do for the drag and transgender community!