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| www.emberspdx.net |
| The Embers Online Magazine |
What’s in a name…. love, a gift, and a lot of fun Greetings…people ask me all the time where my name, Krystel Belle-Rose came from. Well, when I started doing drag over 10 years ago, my stage name was not Krystel…it was Shawna. I’m not really sure even where that name came from but I had met Tamara Marx and at the time she was hosting ‘Catch a Rising Star’ at Darcelle XV. The show was an amateur night and the winner got to perform that weekend with the Darcelle cast. Tamara dared me to come down and perform…so I did. I bought a scary wig, some makeup; grabbed some 80’s CD’s and gave it my all. I don’t even remember what number I did that night…old age I guess…but I won. So that weekend, I arrived at Darcelle’s for the shows. I was scared to death! I had seen the shows in the past and now here I was, getting ready to perform on the famous Darcelle stage. After gathering my thoughts, I took to the stage and had a wonderful time. I felt like I was at home…the audience response was great and I was hooked. But the name did not feel right…I knew I needed to change it. That weekend I was visiting with my brother and his partner and we were talking about drag queens and their names. I told him that Shawna did not feel right…it wasn’t really ‘me’. At this time, my brother Mike was HIV positive and was not doing well. As we spoke some more, I looked up on the shelf in his living room and said, “what about Krystel Belle?” You see, my brother had a wonderful crystal bell collection, something that he had spent many years and a lot of money putting together. He smiled at me and said, “Yes, that fits much better”. And so Krystel Belle was born. For several years, it was just Krystel Belle. Then I met and became friends with Tanya Rose…my drag mother. She took me under her wing and mentored me, taught me how to perform to my fullest and then gave me her last name…and so Krystel Belle-Rose was ready to hit the stage and give the audience what they wanted…laughter, tears, silliness, poise and confidence. So when I take to the stage and I hear someone announce me, I always think about the people that my name honors, my brother Mike (who passed away from AIDS) and my drag mother…wonderful memories to keep with me as I continue on this journey in the Community… Until next time…I remain…. Krystel Belle-Rose |
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| TRUE CONFESSIONS by Krystal Belle Rose |
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