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8-Year-Old Drag Queen Lactatia Visits the Cast of Kinky Boots
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8-Year-Old Drag Queen Lactatia Visits the Cast of Kinky Boots
8-Year-Old Drag Queen Lactatia Visits the Cast of Kinky Boots
This young drag sensation caught up with the cast of Broadway's Kinky Boots to get inspired.
Eight-year-old Nemis Quinn Mélançon Golden, better known by his stage name, Lactatia, has caught the gaze of people all over the world since hitting the drag scene at the Montreal stop of the Werq the World tour. Now, in a recent visit to New York City, a few especially glammed up eyes met as Nemis met the cast of the acclaimed Broadway musical Kinky Boots.
The cast is one of several "lactaters," a nickname the young drag queen has bestowed on her fans. His number one? His mother, Jessica Mélançon. "Nemis was always pretty fancy. He had fancy shoes and he had his fancy purses, and as he got older he used to try on his older sister’s princess clothes — tutus and stuff, and he just kind of did that. Then she started watching Rupaul’s Drag Race two years ago, and he was like, okay, I can be a professional drag queen. And we were like, sure, sure you can!"
For a year now, Jessica has been making that dream a reality, learning the tricks of the drag trade, putting Lactatia in makeup, costume and nails. Jessica books performances for Lactatia to lip sync, after which 100 percent of the star's earnings go to LGBT youth. "It’s like being a pop star without actually having to put in the work of being an actual pop star." Jessica said, speculating why her son is so devoted to the craft. Lactatia definitely is a big fan of pop — her top divas are Lady Gaga, Sia, and Beyonce. He was particularly excited to see Kinky Boots and sees the cast as role models.
Although Jessica doesn't know how Nemis will identify in the future, she accepts him fully, and Lactatia too. "When he was little he said, When I grow up I can be a girl with a penis if I want to. And I was like, sure, sure you can buddy." She said. Not everyone has been so accepting. "We've had the most backlash from Christian groups. But we refuse to read any negative comments." She feels that Lactatia is talented, and dedicated to the craft, and that's enough.
Before the show, Nemis shared some wisdom for other young drag queens. "Even if you think your parents can control you, still do whatever you want in life. It doesn’t matter what anyone else says. it doesn’t matter if people think that you can’t do something. You can still do it as long as you try."
Interview by Ariel Sobel