Where are you originally from? How did you end up in New Orleans?
I am originally from Baltimore (shoutout to SweetSpotBaltimore!) but I’ve been here in New Orleans for 11 years. The first time I visited New Orleans was in 2010 to help move my (at that time) ex-boyfriend to New Orleans. We were still friends and I volunteered to drive his moving truck with him from Baltimore to New Orleans. We planned that I would stay a week to see the city … and we fell in love. I moved down myself a year later, started/finished at Tulane for my Masters in Public Health, and then married him in 2019!
How long have you been doing drag?
The first time I did drag was for the Krewe of Armeinius ball in 2017. I was rough. Ha!
How did you select your drag name?
I loved Anne of Green Gables growing up and the heroine always said her name was Anne with an E. That and I love a double entendre.
Did you have a drag mother?
I’ve learned many drag things from many fabulous queens. If you want a drag house to follow, look for Haus Contraire! I work with them frequently and they are an incredibly talented house.
Do you hold any titles? If so, which ones?
I do! Usually I wear size double D but it depends on the gig and the gown. OH TITLES! Yes, I won the best drag category of The Bourbon Street Awards 2020. Yes, THAT. February 2020.
What is your most embarrassing moment performing? Proudest moment performing?
My most embarrassing moment performing is anytime that I try to dance. I prefer to give you a stunt or a reveal! My proudest moment performing was probably when I was booked to perform for the Louisiana Office of Public Health conference and host their public health leaders award ceremony. It was a real worlds-colliding moment that made me very grateful to be getting to do all the things I love at the same time: drag, public health work, and HIV prevention and stigma/risk reduction! I’ve been able to keep that momentum going, hosting public health events (that I affectionately call Debbie with Plan B) around town but particularly at the AllWays Lounge and Oz New Orleans where I have been able to host events and make resources available for free, like HIV and COVID self-test kits, referrals to PrEP providers, and access to free actual Plan B, condoms, and information on U=U (Undetectable=Untransmissible)! I’m also pretty excited to watch the upcoming reboot of Queer as Folk. NO further Questions! NO further Answers!
What is your favorite venue at which to perform?
Oooooh what a fun question! *Clears throat in pageant* All of them. Seriously though, that’s a tough question. Each venue I’ve performed in has a different vibe, clientele, show themes etc. As an artist it is fun to mix it up and stay fresh! I have particularly enjoyed being involved with Poppy Tooker’s Pop-Up Drag Brunches. Our brunch krewe has steadily been hosting drag brunch at Tujague’s over the last year but I’ve also been honored to do brunch for Brennan’s, Antoine’s, Arnaud’s Maypop, SoBou, Tulane Uptown, the City Park Botanical Garden, Lola (YES NORTHSHORE!), and then, almost, Jazz Fest, had COVID not canceled the gig. All the brunching I’ve done led to one of my new dresses being displayed at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum in an exhibit on Drag Brunch! The dress is made totally out of those blue face shields we all know so well – you can check the dress out on display (for now) or on my Instagram: @DebbieWithAD.
How does your drag persona differ from your non-drag persona?
I think my drag persona and non-drag persona have a lot of similarities! No we do not! Um, yes we do sweetie, your apples didn’t fall far from my tree if you know what I mean! That may be, BUT I AM PRETTIER PERIOD! Let’s talk about this after the interview. Fine, I’ll see you at home. Sorry about that, what was your next question?
If you could change one thing about the drag scene in New Orleans, what would it be?
An increased commitment to diverse casting for shows. Please and thank you!
Your zodiac sign?
Pi-SHE’S really feeling fish in drag today, baby! And if you want to book her for a show or a party or a public health event you can reach her at DebbieWithAdBooking@gmail.com XOXO
