Behind the love of Drag with Monet X Change

Sometimes we find freedom in ways that are new to us and oftentimes beautiful surprises. Monet X Change is a prime example of someone who found a career that taught herself love, appreciation and acceptance. Many know her for winning season four of RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars and Miss Congeniality of season ten, but there is so much more to this queen. This queen isn’t just a reality television star she is a classically trained singer and personality.

“I realized how much black women meant to me.”

Growing up in Brooklyn with a traditional West Indian homelife was not easy for Monet. “Everything says for us to shame femininity in men,” said Monet. This is the typical experience for those coming from certain social and cultural backgrounds that promote hyper masculinity in young men and forces them to denounce any traits that could be regarded as feminine. She was picked on in middle and high school and bullied at times. Monet states, “I had a gaggle of black girlfriends who would look out for me and even fight for me”.

His ode to black women stems from the many memories of the black queens who fought for him and accepted him for who he was. It embraces every aspect of who she is today. From a beauty queen to business realness along with a hint of banjee, her drag shows it all. “I believe black women are the most beautiful sentient beings in the galaxy,” said Monet.

“I had just finished watching RuPaul’s Drag Race but was in the closet about it”

Monet X Change got her start in drag when she attended Westminster Choir College in 2009. The university had a drag ball pageant and brought out a famous New York drag queen by the name of Peppermint. “I didn’t want everyone to know I was watching the show because of all the stereotypes,” said Monet as she recalled this experience. Though she enjoyed that moment, it was overshadowed by her fear of what others would say or think. “This was a lot to unpack as a sophomore and freshman in college”, Monet says. These are the same feelings many members of the LGBTQIA community experience as they navigate through the waters of internalized homophobia from others outside and inside the community.

“We both made this connection”

Fast forward to 2012 when Monet was in a summer arts program in New York City. There she met Jasmine Rice. This would become a monumental moment for her in drag. She and Jasmine found a common love for RuPaul’s Drag Race and the art of drag. “We decided to get into full drag and participate in New York City Pride that year,” said Monet. They went all out in Full drag with the wigs, hips, heels, and everything that makes a fabulous drag queen. This wasn’t the same experience she had in 2009 because this time, she owned it. “There was this overwhelming feeling of love and acceptance,” said Monet as she described how it felt when passing through the crowds. This showed her that drag queens are heroines and how people are impacted by drag queens in the most positive ways. “They are royal figures in the queer community,” said Monet. For Monet, drag queens and transwomen are held to higher regards in the community because they are the ones who set the tone for fighting for equality and started Stonewall (the riots that began in 1969 to fight for the rights of the LGBTQIA community).

“It changed my life forever”

Being on RuPaul’s Drag Race might have changed her life for the better, but there is still work to be done. “From the time you get on the show, your entire trajectory is changed,” said Monet. This opportunity boosted her platform and career to new heights, and she ceases every opportunity that comes. From major bookings to being flown out to different cities, it has been a roller coaster ride. This isn’t always the case for some. “Some queens can get a negative reputation based on one clip,” said Monet. Too many times people believe what they see on reality tv and form their opinions about others. She wants people to understand that it is Reality TV, and everything is not as it seems. Certain queens are disliked because of what may have been just a bad day. Everyone has their moments when they might not be at their best, but it doesn’t mean to cancel them out. “This is the part I really hope people get,” said Monet.

Here are some interesting facts about Monet X Change

She came up with her drag name randomly at lunch with a friend. They were eating in Time Square at Dallas BBQ and noticed a money exchange across the street. They tossed a few ideas back and forth on various names with money in them and she landed on Monet. The rest, as they say, is history.

Her mom and dad, who still live in the West Indies, didn’t know about her doing drag until she appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Monet recently released her new single, Love Like This. This song is written to help combat the homophobia sometimes present in reggae and dancehall songs.