Drag Queen Spotlight: Dextra DeNovo talks Drag Inspo, Vegas, and Being an Attorney

June 10, 2023
JORDAN JAYRO

Oh hello, hi, and good day! It's once again time for another Drag Queen Spotlight! This week we are getting to know the Elle Woods of Drag herself, Dextra DeNovo! Dextra is a gorgeous queen and performer! She is also the co-host of the podcast Reading is Fundamental! On top of all that, Dextra works by day as a corporate attorney! She's a busy girl! I'm so glad we got to do this interview! Be sure to follow Dextra on Instagram! And check out her answers below!

How did you get your drag name, Dextra DeNovo?

Hiiiiiieeeee! I’m Dextra DeNovo! I call myself the “Elle Woods of Drag” because, during the day, I work as a corporate in-house attorney! I see Dextra as a drag vigilante character. She’s a high-powered boss lady who is secretly an operative working to systematically eviscerate the patriarchy from the inside. I took my first name “Dextra” as an homage to one of my favorite vigilantes, Dexter, the noble serial killer created by Jeff Lindsay. And “DeNovo” is a legal term that means “to review from the beginning.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dextra DeNovo (@dextradenovo)

How long have you been doing drag?

I count from the time day that I put myself in geesh all by myself for the first time and stepped out as Dextra. That’ll be 2 years in June!

When is your birthday? How old are you?

I’m a 34-year-old Gemini. Year of the Snake.

Relationship status?

Daddy’s Emotional Support Bottom.

What was your first time in drag like?

I dressed up for Daddy’s friend’s 50th birthday party in Vegas. Omg, it was so fucking hot!!!! I wore a denim dress and the air conditioner wasn’t working in the suite that they had rented. IN LAS VEGAS! But other than that, I remember being such a mess putting myself together and the hotel room being a complete disaster when I got back. Pretty sure there were eyelashes on the toilet—don’t know how that happened.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dextra DeNovo (@dextradenovo)

What made you want to start doing drag?

I have had great respect for the art form for years—I just never thought I could do it. Honestly, I was too afraid to try. It wasn’t until I got exposure to certain types of drag performers that I realized that I had the talent, I just needed to practice the skills of drag. I went through a pretty nasty divorce during the pandemic. That lit a fire under my ass to finally put myself out there and try it. And drag has been all I think about ever since!

Who inspires your drag (celebrities, other queens, etc.)?

Ok, omg, where do I start? For recording artists: P!nk, Kesha, Gaga, Miley. For fashion: Moschino, Off-White, David Koma, Zuhair Murad, Balmain. For actors/celebrities: Ana De Armas, Blake Lively, Scarlet Johansson, Charlize Theron, Gal Gadot, Sandra Bullock. For Drag: I very much feel like my character I’m somewhere between Kameron Michaels and Sasha Velour.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dextra DeNovo (@dextradenovo)

Favorite song/artist to lip sync to?

“You Outta Know” from the cast recording of Jagged Little Pill. It was the first song that I performed in drag and I still love performing it! It has everything I love in a song: angst, rock, a storyline to grow with, and all with Broadway backing.

Have you ever hooked up in drag?

Literally drag is so uncomfortable! And how do you expect me to bottom with pads and tights and a corset? And you better know I’m not messing up my nice wig. And you know I’m a Pillow Princess and my makeup is gonna rub all over the pillowcase.

What I’m trying to say is……..no Ma’am, no I have not.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dextra DeNovo (@dextradenovo)

What’s your favorite thing about drag?

I’m all about the creative process. I love having an idea for a look or for a number and making it come to fruition.

What are your hobbies outside of drag?

I’m sorry I don’t understand the question. Y’all have time for $hit outside of drag?!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dextra DeNovo (@dextradenovo)

What’s the craziest thing you’ve witnessed in a dressing room?

Honestly, I’m usually the one that’s butt naked running around so it’s probably me, I’m the problem, it’s me.

Biggest pet peeve about working with other drag queens?

Why y’all so much drama though?!?!?! Let’s show up and have a good time and cut up and kiki. Like, damn. Y’all too much! And stop with all the gatekeeping bull. Y’all aren’t pretty enough to be acting that busted.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dextra DeNovo (@dextradenovo)

Biggest pet peeve about audiences in nightclubs?

People who are too drunk. And bachelorette girls. But that’s redundant.

Any advice for someone wanting to start doing drag?

I’d say don’t be afraid to ask questions. And you don’t have to spend a ton of money to look good. You can make great looks for very little money. So save your dollars and invest in some good drag staples that you’ll use over and over - like a corset, pads, or some good quality tights. And also, don’t be a dick. You can be sickening, but if you’re a cunt, no one’s gonna hire you. This means you don’t get money, which means you can’t afford those aforementioned tights and corsets, which means you will continue to look busted. So don’t be a dick, just swallow them.