Jinkx Monsoon: "Drag is not just wigs and heels."

In a new interview for W Magazine’s Originals Issue, Jinkx Monsoon - the only two-time winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race - has declared, “Everyone is doing drag in some form,” sparking renewed conversation around the cultural ubiquity and transformative power of drag artistry. 

Monsoon, who recently took centre stage in the Off-Broadway hit Oh, Mary! as Mary Todd Lincoln, reflected on the evolution of drag from fringe performance art to a mainstream cultural force. “Drag is not just wigs and heels,” she explained. “It’s about self-expression, exaggeration, and storytelling. Whether it’s a banker putting on a suit to feel powerful or a teenager experimenting with makeup in their bedroom - that’s drag. It’s performance. It’s identity. It’s play.”

Her statement arrives at a time when drag is increasingly visible across media, fashion, and theatre - not only in the United States but also in the UK, where RuPaul’s Drag Race UK continues to thrive and British drag artists are gaining international acclaim. Monsoon’s influence, particularly through her cabaret roots and theatrical prowess, has helped bridge the gap between drag and traditional theatre, challenging norms and expanding representation.

In Oh, Mary!, Monsoon’s portrayal of Lincoln’s embattled wife was lauded for its emotional depth and comedic timing. “Mary doesn’t have a lot of agency in her life,” she said. “All of the agency she has, she has to fight to gain. That’s something a lot of disenfranchised people can relate to.” 

Beyond the stage, Monsoon continues to be a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility. Her recent coming out as pansexual further underscores her commitment to authenticity and inclusivity in both her art and personal life.