Sober Swagger: Strutting the stage as a Sober Drag King

Hey there, fabulous friends!

Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where we celebrate all things fierce, fabulous, and sober! Today, I'm serving up some realness straight from the heart of the drag kingdom. We’re talking about the electrifying world of drag kings and staying sober while we slay the stage.

If you've ever strutted your stuff in rhinestone cod piece or rocked a killer contour, you know that drag is all about confidence, creativity, and owning your truth. But what happens when you want to keep the party popping without the liquid courage? It’s all good, because being a sober drag king is not only possible but downright exhilarating.

Almost showtime… the lights are dim, the crowd is buzzing, and I'm backstage, channeling my inner king. But instead of reaching for my miller light baba, I'm sipping on some diet cola… Bartender! More aspartame please! There's nothing more intoxicating than the adrenaline rush of performing sober.

As I step into my boots and slap on some fabulous facial hair, I'm reminded that drag is all about transformation. And for me, staying sober is just another layer of that transformation – a way to honor myself and my craft without any artificial additives (well, without the mood and mind altering ones at least).

Now, don't get me wrong, I've had my wild nights and blurry memories, but as I've grown into myself, I've come to realize that the true magic happens when I'm fully present and in control.
My last drunk was scary – it was brunch o'clock, and I'm gearing up to serve some fierce realness on stage as a brand new drag king. Little did I know, my last encounter with the demon drink was about to take me on a wild ride.

So there I am, nerves buzzing like a beehive on caffeine, when I make the rookie mistake of trying to drown my butterflies in Fireball. Spoiler alert: it did not end well, folks. Before I knew it, I was being rescued from the porcelain throne by my trusty drag sister and the DJ – a sight that I'm sure will go down in that casino’s history.

Then it’s 3 PM, and I'm curled up on my drag mother's couch like a sloppy and tragic box of week old leftover takeout, and I smelled about as bad. Meanwhile, the rest of the performers are out there living their best lives, while I'm just trying to remember my own name.

But fear not, my fabulous friends, because every drag disaster has a silver lining – or in my case, a sequined lining. That chaotic brunch served as a wake-up call, reminding me that I don't need liquid courage to slay the stage. From that moment on, I made a vow to swap out the shots for some diet cola and embrace my sober swagger with open arms.

So, how do I keep the party going without the booze? Well, for starters, I surround myself with a squad of supportive people who lift me up and cheer me on, both on and off the stage. Whether it's sharing laughs over a mocktail or belting out Pink in the dressing room, this fierce family reminds me that I'm never alone on this journey. I am so fortunate to be a part of the uplifting and supportive house of NoMo’… and that’s what I am saying to the Miller Light and Bloody Mary’s, the Fireball and the Magners…. NoMo’ for me.

And let's not forget the power of self-care. From meditation to journaling to late-night dance parties in my living room, finding healthy outlets for self-expression has been key to maintaining my sobriety while still serving up some serious swagger.

But perhaps the most important lesson I've learned as a sober drag king is that authenticity is the ultimate form of rebellion. By embracing who I am – flaws and all – I'm able to connect with my audience on a deeper level and inspire others to live their truth.

So, to all my fellow kings, queens, and in betweens out there, whether you're sober, sober curious, or just looking to shake things up, remember this: the stage is your kingdom, and sobriety is your crown. So wear it proudly, my darlings, and let's slay the night away, one sober step at a time.

Until next time, stay fierce, stay fabulous, and always stay sober.