Today we’d like to introduce you to ThatQueerIsa.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born and raised in Virginia, Minnesota & from the start I was a bold, unique individual. Growing up on the Iron Range as a queer & mixed kid, I was known for turning heads, making people laugh, being bold, and being Trans/Queer of course. Being in school definitely had its rough days, but I’ve always rose above it all & always stayed true to myself. When classmates would try to bully me I always stood up for myself, & eventually gained respect from various people with my personality, humor & talents. I was in Marching Band, & the Color Guard for five years total, with being captain of rifles for two of those years. I also participated in the high schools Pom-Pon squad as a trans individual, & played on the girls volleyball team in high school & college for a total of 4 years. After high school and college, in 2020 I got into a relationship with my current partner of 4 1/2 years, Wade who has always been my rock in life, and & huge supporter with whatever I do!
In August of 2022, I started my drag career & had my very first drag performance! My drag debut was in Ely, MN with Flip Phone Events, which was such a magical time & a memory I will never forget. Later that month I had my first Twin Ports drag performance with a local queer entertainment group, & performed with them mainly in the Twin Ports, & in Virginia, MN from 2022-2024. During that period I became a cast member at the Duluth Flame for their monthly drag shows, & was a cast member for around six months. After that point I became the Co-Host & Show Producer of the drag shows there with my best friend, Dixie Diamond. We have now been Hosts & Producers for those shows since October of 2023 which is such an honor & I always have an amazing time.
With being a newer drag performer at the time, I always wanted to be apart of a drag family to have people go to to for drag related things, have a chosen family for support, & to have people who I could go to with anything! I luckily found that, & became a member of the Haus of Cassadine (a legendary Drag Haus in Minneapolis, Minnesota) in June of 2023, with being adopted by my lovely & iconic drag mother, Lady Cummeal Cassadine!
In August of 2024, I became a drag mother, & created a Drag Family & Haus known as the “Haus of Queer”. I’m a drag mother to three talented, Twin Ports based drag artists Jazzlyn, Octavia, & Anomaly. You can find any & all of us performing mainly in the Twin Ports, & throughout Minnesota! As of February 2025, I now host & produce my own drag shows with the first two shows being at The Depot in Duluth, MN. I had my first solo production at The Depot on February 28th which had an all POC cast for Black History Month, & it was a success! Our next show drag show is on June 20th, at 8pm, at The Depot Theater celebrating my Birthday & Pride Month!
Before hosting my own drag shows at the Depot, & the Duluth Flame (with Dixie Diamond), I had the opportunity to Host & Produce my first drag show with & through a local queer entertainment group at The Main Club in Superior, Wisconsin in February of 2022, & with that, I quickly learned that I had a natural talent for hosting & improv on top of performing!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being in the drag industry it definitely has had its tough moments.. but I’ve gotten some very helpful advice from experienced drag performers throughout the years of me performing. I was told to stay out of drama, stay humble & kind, and to try to be professional as much as possible on various aspects. I use & apply that advice always. You never know who could be watching what you do & how you carry yourself!!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a drag performer, & have been performing for almost three years! I’m best known for my beauty, bubbly & humorous personality, and for being a “stunt queen”! With being a “stunt queen” I’m known for my high kicks, & various amounts and types of splits! I would say I’m most proud of how far I’ve come in such a short amount of time! I’ve had the opportunity to perform in a few different states and compete in drag competitions with being judged by the iconic Carson Kressley, & Ts Madison! I’ve also gotten the chance to work with various amounts of different drag performers from local performers, to performers down south in Atlanta, Georgia, & even with some performers who have been on RuPaul’s Drag Race, & so much more! I’m a very hard working, ambitious individual, and I absolutely LOVE what I do, so I know this is just the beginning!
Outside of the drag world, I dedicate my time to Trans Northland!! Trans Northland is a Non-Profit Organization based in the Twin Ports that provides support, resources, & connection for the Trans, & Gender Non-Conforming Community! I’ve been a part of Trans Northland since October 2024, & became Vice Chair of Trans Northland a month or so after that!
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
With finding a mentor in the drag community, I would say stay true to yourself, always try your best & push yourself. With that, down the road people will get to know you, your drag & see how you hold yourself, & then an opportunity could happen! With networking I would say always be kind, be yourself, be professional, promote yourself, & talk to & learn about people in your community & people who attend your shows!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @ThatQueerIsa
- Facebook: ThatQueerIsa Cassadine
