Symone Reflects on Her Journey: From Drag Race Victory to Building an Empire
Words by Diego Sousa Pitti via Misfitlens Creative Agency
For Symone, the defining moment came under the bright lights of her first stage performance in drag, where she felt a profound sense of belonging. She recounted: "Up until that point, I’d always felt like I wasn’t good at anything or doing something wrong, but when those lights came on and the music started… baby, it all finally made sense for ya girl." This initial spark not only ignited her passion for drag, but also marked the beginning of her journey to self-realization and empowerment. In preparation for her upcoming IAMICONIQA performance in Barcelona, Spain, I interviewed her for the online mag, and was amazed at her ability to express in a way that seems equal parts inspiring, hilarious as hell, and relatable.
“Up until that point, I’d always felt like I wasn’t good at anything or doing something wrong, but when those lights came on and the music started… baby, it all finally made sense for ya girl.”
Symone’s answers reassured a recurring thought in my mind throughout the interview: it just makes sense, just like it did for her during that first onstage performance. She just makes sense, in a way so natural that if this is a character, the transformation is seamless to me; a dance between smart homage and her own essence. What she shares with her idols is palpable. The presence of Whitney Houston, the boldness of Lil Kim, the elegance of Diana Ross, the that’s-right-I-did-that attitude of Rihanna, and the strength of Tina Turner. "Each one of these women have inspired me in so many ways and taught me how to navigate this crazy life we live," she said. These icons have imparted unique qualities that Symone embodies in her performances, crafting a dynamic persona that is hard to describe succinctly, but just makes sense when experienced.
“Honestly, for so long, I was uncomfortable with being a black gay man”, Symone shared. “It just always felt wrong or like something to not be proud of.” Drag became her medium to explore and express her history and personal battles. "Drag really helped me push past all of those emotions," she explained. “I got to the point where I wanted to kind of give love back to my culture through my drag, whether that be through clothing, hair, makeup, or even through the spaces I walk through.” There is no putting her in a box, Symone simply transcends any one single dimension. She’s not the talent or style that made her famous, she’s the mind behind it and she’s already thinking of what’s next.
“Drag really helped me push past all of those emotions, I got to the point where I wanted to kind of give love back to my culture through my drag, whether that be through clothing, hair, makeup, or even through the spaces I walk through.”
She described how she’s now gotten to a place where she wants to play with the idea of who Symone is. “I’m always going to be me and that’s always going to be a part of my story, but now I want to stretch, bend, and play with that image,” she shared, cutting right to the chase, and explaining that she plans on pushing past the limits she has put on herself, right before dropping a bomb I was not expecting: “I’m going to be very honest, this past year I seriously considered stepping away from drag.” In a display of vulnerability that I appreciated, she explained how she had not been feeling fulfilled by drag like she had been in the beginning, which shook her. Benders and stretchers go through valleys like any human, and Symone went through this one and came out still bending and stretching.
Despite the challenges and moments of self-doubt, Symone is moving ahead at full force. She shared her contemplation about the future of her drag career and her empire, stating, "I got help and had to start asking myself 'what do I really want out of all of this and how am I going to get there?'". Her resolve shows her dedication not only to her craft but also to the broader impact she aims to make. And there she was again, making sense: her constant is mutation, with a clear essence in her identity as the spectator’s guiding thread. “Ebony Enchantress LLC all starts and ends with me, so I had to start making changes in my thoughts and actions.”
I had been curious about the progress of Ebony Enchantress LLC since rewatching Symone’s 2021 interview with RuPaul on Jimmy Kimmel Live, in preparation for this story. There, not only did she mention that she wished to build her own empire, but also that she planned for said empire to include “doing things other drag queens don’t traditionally do.” In what I found a very comforting response, she shared that “a lot of the things I was envisioning at the time have come to fruition, which is crazy to have happened in such a short time. Queens are in movies and TV shows, doing brand deals, going to fashion shows, creating their own lanes, going on tour with major artists. It’s just insane and so fun to see.” And why is this comforting, you may ask? Well, for those of us who remember vividly some very recent not-so-open times, only a few years ago it would have felt improbable, if not delusional, to think this would be a Drag Artist’s response to such a question. Though there is a long road ahead, the path has left behind a trail of big successes that deserve recognition and visibility. “So, to answer your question, EELLC is doing much better and is looking to move onward and upward momma!”, she shared candidly.
Digging deeper into the topic, I wanted to know what “creating your own lane” looked like for someone like Symone, who has been one of the people at the forefront of the mainstreamization and propagation of the art of drag. How had her experience been when going for roles, positions, and opportunities not traditionally perceived as “for” drag queens? “I've been very lucky in my experience thus far”, she shared. “It’s not to say I haven’t had to fight for certain things or stand my ground when I feel strongly, but people have generally treated me with respect and love,” she asserted, making it clear that the struggles might be there, but her determination as well as the presence of good people along the way are, as well. “Now, those times it hasn’t been that way from the jump, I make sure things are done and/or said to convey that, because mutual respect is so important. It’s not just for me. It’s for the people coming up behind me”, said Symone, showing us part of the legacy she is leaving behind for those who will walk a similar path after her.
“Now, those times it hasn’t been that way from the jump, I make sure things are done and/or said to convey that, because mutual respect is so important. It’s not just for me. It’s for the people coming up behind me”
We have all witnessed Symone’s path to stardom, hand in hand with the world of fashion from the start. Her “bonjour” video from the Jacquemus 2023 Ready-To-Wear show at the Château de Versailles was still fresh in my mind as if it had been yesterday, when I watched Symone’s arrival at the “Les Sculptures” Spring/Summer 2024 Jacquemus show this past January. In the world of Jacquemus, anything can be a moment, everything is made into witty and highly-aesthetic audiovisual creations, and that is a match for Symone. “Simon and the brand really treat me with such love and respect, and I’ll always ride for him for that,” she expressed, sharing that they go above and beyond to make sure she feels a part of the world they create for each season, and “that reminds me that people are watching and they get and see me. It just makes me want to keep going and make bolder choices.” Symone was one of Simon Porte Jacquemus’s guests and main part of the brand’s social media campaign on the day of the runway, along with the likes of Anne Hathaway, Julia Roberts, Gigi Hadid, and EmRata, to name a few. She arrived in a stunning custom Jacquemus total look.
So far this year, Symone has also appeared on stage with Madonna during her The Celebration Tour and, most recently, made a guest appearance with her own role as Mary Mint on Shondaland’s TV Show Station 19, broadcast on ABC and Hulu. “You don’t know how honored and joyous I feel about that opportunity,” she shared. “I love Shonda and her shows,” she continued, “they’ve been a part of my watch log for years, so when I got the opportunity to play Mary Mint, I was over the moon!” That empire I first heard about on that 2021 interview right after she had just won Season 13 of RuPaul’s Drag Race had been fast materializing, and I was keen to know more. “Having Shondaland trust me with [Mary Mint] was just a teenage dream come true.” In Symone’s words, Mary Mint “had the joy and resilience that drag brings and I feel like Symone has that too, so it was a fun character to play.”
I asked Symone how she navigates the complexities of maintaining her artistic integrity as her fame grows; what challenges she has faced in doing so. "I think self-doubt has always been a challenge for me," she shared, reflecting on the internal struggles that accompany her public success. “It’s definitely gotten leaps and bounds better but it rears its head still.” However, her openness to new experiences and perspectives has helped her grow both personally and professionally. “I’ve learned that if I want to grow as an artist and person, I have to trust others’ opinions and point of view. I’m much more open to trying new things and seeing how it all works out.”
“I’ve learned that if I want to grow as an artist and person, I have to trust others’ opinions and point of view. I’m much more open to trying new things and seeing how it all works out.”
Looking forward to her performance in Barcelona, Symone is excited about connecting with a new audience. "I’ve never been to Barcelona before, so I’m just so excited to meet everyone and to perform for them," she expressed, “I may or may not have a few things up my sleeve for Barcelona!” Though this will be her first time performing in the Ciutat Comtal, it is by no means her first international show, and she wants the IAMICONIQA 5’s audience to know that she will be fun and loud. “I like to have fun and make sure the people have a good time. That’s always at the forefront of my mind when preparing.” She will be headlining along with winner of Drag Race España, Pitita, at the iconic Sala Razzmatazz on May 12th, during the 5th edition of IAMICONIQA —the trailblazing queer night event that has brought Violet Chachki, Amanda Lepore, Hungry, Gottmik, Gigi Goode, and now Symone, to Barcelona, and you may purchase tickets to this one-of-a-kind evening full of fashion, performance art, and dancing, here.
“I may or may not have a few things up my sleeve for Barcelona!”
What’s next for Symone? “I really want to work toward having a collaboration with a major brand. I love skincare and body oils, so to have that out there would be another dream come true.” Also, Season 2 of WOW Presents Plus’s Avalon TV will be out soon, and she shared with us that she expanded her talk show within the series, “On Tonight.” Symone says that you can expect “an amazing new set, fabulous new guests and fun new segments. This whole season we upped the ante on everything, so strap in, baby, because we are definitely going for a ride!” Symone’s narrative is a testament to the power of embracing one's identity and the platforms that can be created by clearly communicating and projecting oneself with authenticity, which, when thinking of Symone, again just makes sense.
RAPID-FIRE QUESTIONS
1. Describe Symone in one sentence.
I only get one sentence?!
2. How's your blood sugar?
Just downed a sweet tooth, so she’s doing pretty good right now.
3. Are you still afraid of sauce? If so: top 3 scariest sauces?
Mayonnaise (ungodly creation), Thousand Island, sour cream.
4. Most iconic moment of 2024 so far?
The Maison Margiela Artisanal show hands down, or up, if you’re so inclined.
5. Any designers/brands you’d like to collaborate with next?
Would love to work with Schiaparelli. I love Daniel and really love his creativity. Marc Jacobs is another one I’d love, too.
6. Current celeb crush?
Taylor Zakhar Perez, Nicholas Galitzine.
