For the first time in 30 years, the “Queen of Motown” Diana Ross will be performing live in Pittsburgh. The concert comes, coincidentally, at a significant time in the career of Pittsburgh Drag Queen Miss Kierra Darshell, who many may know is famous for her compelling character impersonation of Diana Ross. Not only is Kierra celebrating the 25th anniversary of performing the art of drag, but it’s also the 20th anniversary of the creation of the “Tri-State All-Star Pageant,” a pageant co-created with her Drag Mother, and which she is now the sole owner.
In her extensive career, Kierra has gained a wealth of wisdom and has used the stage to share her knowledge. She now hosts monthly shows at Cruze Bar and There Ultra Lounge, where she opens the stage to showcase other local drag talents. She hosts many of the Pittsburgh pageants, as well as organizes the drag performances at Pittsburgh PrideFest. And she is expanding art even further outside of the LGBT community at local events including the annual South Side Works Street Fair.
I met up with Kierra, perhaps best known as the “First Lady of Pittsburgh Drag,” in her dressing room as she was getting ready for a recent performance. We chatted about her drag career and her character as Miss Ross.
EQ: When was Miss Kierra Darshell born into the world of drag?
KD: Back in 1989, when I first started going out to the local bars, a queen by the name of Akasha Kai approached me and said she wanted me to perform at an upcoming AIDS Benefit Show at Travelers in Homewood. See, back then the AIDS epidemic had just hit Pittsburgh, and people weren’t living long after being diagnosed. It was severely affecting the gay population. People didn’t have money for funeral services and all of the associated medical expenses, so there were AIDS benefit shows happening all the time. There would be 4 or 5 a month.
EQ: So would you watch the shows at think “I want to do that?”
KD: No, not really. I didn’t really think of myself as being in drag. I was a young man, just coming out into the gay scene. But Akasha told me that I had amazing facial features for drag and that she could make me a beautiful woman.
EQ: It sounds like she talked you into it!
KD: Yeah she really did. She said she’d do my make-up and get me everything I needed. I was so nervous! But I performed “Home” by Stephanie Mills and the crowd really enjoyed it. People tipped me, at first I wasn’t sure why, but the girls explained it was because I did well. And from there, I caught the bug!
EQ: So you started performing in other shows?
KD: Yes, I was then introduced to “Grandma” Coco and Denise Darshell. They saw potential in me and wanted me to run for the title of Miss Pittsburgh. There had never been a black drag queen to hold that title, so they offered to teach me the art and business of drag. We would have rehearsals once a week, and they taught me how to paint my face, how to be graceful on stage, to be glamorous, how to put a show together, the importance of traveling, and to be humble. They told me not to believe the hype because as soon as you do, you will fail. And to this day, I still live by that motto.
EQ: Well, clearly all of this was great advice. And you ended up being the first African American Miss Pittsburgh in 1991.
KD: Yes I did. The girls at the bar Kissin’ Cousins really supported me and believed in me. Denise always wanted to run for the Miss Pittsburgh title herself, but there was a rule added back then that you could not compete if you were transgender. So she said she was going to live vicariously through me, and she became my Drag Mother.
EQ: Did she give you the name Kierra Darshell?
KD: When I was getting ready for the benefit show, I called my good friend in D.C. and said that I’m going to do a drag show but need a name. He suggested the name Kierra and I loved it. So I just went by Kierra until Denise started helping me and added the Darshell.
EQ: So when did the Diana Ross performances start?
KD: Once I started doing shows people would come up to me and say that I should do Diana Ross because I look like her. I didn’t think I looked like her at all! But so many people kept saying it to me, and saying it to me. I was so scared to impersonate Diana because see, since I was a child, I idolized her, and I didn’t think I could do her justice. I’m not a control freak, but I believe if I’m gonna do something, I gotta do it RIGHT!
EQ: What is your earliest remembrance of Diana?
KD: When I was a little boy, in 1979 she did a live televised concert from Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. I was mesmerized. She was so glamorous, and lovely. I of course didn’t know anything about drag back then, but I knew she was something special. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her! From then, any time there was a commercial that she would be on, I was glued to the TV. I could not do anything but watch her. She was such an inspiration. We didn’t have very many black female artists that we could watch on TV, so she was something to behold.
EQ: Wow, that explains your intimidation to impersonate her. Once you decided you could do it, where did you get “THE” hair…that infamous long curly wig?
KD: I actually ordered it from a magazine and had it mailed to me. Back then you couldn’t find anything like that in a wig shop here in Pittsburgh, and we didn’t have online shopping.
EQ: What about the dress?
KD: I was shopping in Philadelphia after doing a show, and in this store I saw the most gorgeous gold beaded and sequin gown. It was the Diana Ross dress that I had to have. I didn’t care if I could afford it or not
EQ: And you still have the dress! It must’ve been one of those moments when you knew it was coming together. Where did you do your first “Miss Ross” performance?
KD: I’ll never forget it. It was at Zach’s on 4th Ave. I performed “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and the audience loved it!
EQ: Well then, it sounds like all of your hard work paid off.
KD: Yes it did. I would look at books with pictures of Diana. I would watch videos of her. I really did my research on how to “be” Diana Ross.
EQ: Now I know you have done a lot of Diana performances since then, what is your favorite song of hers to do?
KD: I really love to perform “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” because of the energy of the song. And of course, I love “I’m Coming Out” because there is so much meaning to the song and so many interpretations of it. For some people in the audience it’s about coming out as a gay person, for some it’s about starting over in life and coming out of a bad situation, getting a new start. Pretty much everybody can relate to the song.
EQ: And what is your favorite song of hers to listen to?
KD: Oh my, anything off of the Mahogany album, or Lady Sings the Blues. The albums are so pivotal in Diana’s career and the music is so meaningful. I could just listen to either one of those forever and ever.
EQ: I’ve heard that you’ve seen Diana in concert a few times. How many exactly?
KD: I saw her first in 1983 right here in Pittsburgh at the Civic Arena. When she opened the show, she came running through the audience to “I’m Coming Out” and it was magical! She had all of the glitz and glamour. She had so much grace on stage. Her stage was in the center of the arena, and a curtain would come down from the ceiling, and when it lifted she would be in a different costume. I was mesmerized all over again! Then in 2007, I saw her in New York City at Madison Square Garden, and in 2010, I saw her in Las Vegas at Caesar’s Palace.
EQ: And which one would be your favorite?
KD: Really, the show in Las Vegas is the one that I will never ever forget. It was really a full circle moment for me, because remember that the first time I saw her on television in 1979, the show was at Caesar’s Palace. So I was in the very same place that she was back then. The show was the most spectacular. She was so personable. She had such a connection with the audience. She allowed people to get close to the stage. She enjoyed herself and we enjoyed her. She fed off of our energy and we fed off of her energy. I remember when the show was over I just sat back down in my seat, and put my head down, and just sat there. My eyes were filling up with tears and I just thanked God for blessing me with the resources to be able to be right there, right then, and have that experience.
EQ: Wow, that is pretty moving. Quite a spiritual moment. Do you have any expectations for her upcoming show here in Pittsburgh?
KD: I really don’t have any expectations. I like to just take each experience for what it is, without comparing it to a previous one. I am just really looking forward to enjoying Diana and her music right here in my city.
EQ: What if you ran into her outside of Heinz Hall?
KD: Oh my gosh! You know, I have been telling anyone and everyone that I know involved in the Cultural District, and anyone that has any power or connections that I NEED to meet Diana Ross! I said “we need to make this happen!”
EQ: YES! And what would you say to her? Have you prepared a speech?
KD: That’s a really tough question… (laughs) I only hope and pray that I would not be too star-struck and freeze up. I think if I did prepare something to say, it wouldn’t come out right anyway. I’m sure I would thank her for being such a role model and inspiration to myself and young black girls for many generations. She has always known how to be sexy when she’s fully dressed. She has made such a huge contribution to the music industry and the African American culture. But I guess I will say that if the moment is ever presented, that I will just go with it and see what happens.
EQ: Well Miss Kierra I certainly hope that you get that moment, and I’m certain that you will know exactly what to say.
KD: Thank you.
Kierra’s motto is “let’s work together to keep classic drag alive,” and is all about passing on to others what she learned from her elders; about remaining humble, helping each other, being respectful, and keeping high the standard of female impersonation. Kierra still performs locally, and on the road, but mostly enjoys using her career to provide a platform for other talent. She believes that because she was given an opportunity that it is her duty to give others an opportunity.
For more information about Kierra Darshell, visit www.kierradarshell.com or follow her on Facebook.
KIERRA IN A MINUTE
What is your favorite brand of makeup?
The IMAN line and also Dermablend concealers.
What’s the one item that you could not do drag without?
My gold ring that has a huge stone in it. I got it in the early 90s and I wear it in every show. EVERY
show! I feel naked without it!
If there were a cocktail named “The Kierra Darshell” what would it be?
Grand Marnier on the rocks baby!
What is one thing that you ALWAYS do when you perform Diana Ross?
Red lipstick. Diana always wears red lipstick.
What is your favorite hairspray?
I don’t really use hairspray on my wigs. I do use oil sheen to keep them shiny.
Pizza or Ice Cream?
Oh, that’s easy… pizza!
What are some pointers you would give to a new queen?
First, learn the business of drag. Second, be humble and open to constructive criticism. Third, be true to yourself. Not everybody is a dancing queen. Four, pay your dues. If stardom comes too quickly, it will go away just as quickly. Five, longevity goes a long way. And finally six, earn respect, and you will get it!
