After Winning The 4th Poison Drag Cartel All Stars Crown, Margaux Bertrand Is Excited To Propel Into The Wild Rainbow-Colored Yonder

After Winning The 4th Poison Drag Cartel All Stars Crown, Margaux Bertrand Is Excited To Propel Into The Wild Rainbow-Colored Yonder

By

Margaux Bertrand gets candid about her drag creative process, the pressure to be successful, and many more.

Before taking a plunge into the drag ocean, Margaux had an extensive career in the makeup world and pageantry, valuable skills and experiences of which would set the backbone of her drag path upright. “I used to join Ms. Gay pageants, and I’ve even managed to bag several titles before retiring,” she says. As these stories go, one thing leads to the other, and she found herself in the drag community as a wig stylist. “Doing that reignited the passion I had for pageantry, so I eventually tried doing drag myself.”

Photo from Instagram: @iamemersonralph

Like most new artists just discovering their craft, an overflow of exhilaration came with it. Margaux admits that drag has overtaken her life and adds that she’s trying to balance her drag persona with her everyday life outside of drag. “I used to work full-time with a 9-5 job. Over time I realized that my passion and happiness lie within this art form. So l, when I’m not performing in drag, I spend my time designing and styling wigs for myself and other queens,” she says. 

Photo from Instagram: @iamemersonralph
Photo from Instagram: @iamemersonralph

On the opposite side of a newly ignited passion is the pressure to succeed, especially when surrounded by drag sisters already making names for themselves. As much as Margaux’s appetite for reaching the same level as her sisters is strong, she’s the first to own up to the fact that she still needs more space to grow. “I still have a lot of exploring to do since I’m a newbie to the craft. The pressure pushes me to do better and always give my best every time,” she says. Her biggest inspirations in drag are also her friends: Versexy, Minty Fresh, Shewarma, and O-A. 

Photo from Instagram: @iamemersonralph

Regarding the creative process behind her compelling performances, she starts with the song and lets ideas sprout from there. “I base my looks and routines on what emotion I feel like the song conveys,” says Margaux. “I try to make sure that my performances make a lasting impact on the people that watch them. I don’t just randomly put on some outfit, makeup, wig, and heels. I want each performance to show a story, and I want that to resonate with the audience.” 

Photo from Instagram: @iamemersonralph

Her knack for designing intricately shaped wigs reflects her drag aesthetics and live acts. Polished. Striking. Unique. Magnetic. These are words that are attached to someone who has star quality. Imagine her growth and improvement a few years after she’s had more experiences and self-explorations. Margaux teases: “As for the future, who knows where you’ll see me next? Let’s just say all past Drag Cartel winners ended up somewhere.”

Photo from Instagram: @iamemersonralph
Photo from Instagram: @iamemersonralph

As the newly crowned queen, I wouldn’t let the opportunity to ask a question that may warrant a pageant answer pass: What are your thoughts on the all-age drag bans in the US? Do you think drag is safe for children to watch?

Photo from Instagram: @iamemersonralph

“It’s the same type of bigotry we, as queer people, have always dealt with, just with a new label and packaging. These people tend to hate things they don’t understand and will always project their wrongdoings onto people who don’t carry the same maligned values they possess. For me, drag is safe for children to watch in most forms. Although, we have also to be mindful of the theme of the performances and locations. As with other art forms, not everything is appropriate for children. As long as it’s in a drag brunch setting and the songs are kid-friendly, I don’t see any harm in sharing the art of drag with children.”

Order your print copy of this month's MEGA Magazine:
Download this month's MEGA digital copy from:
Subscribe via [email protected]