For Jessica Wild, Every Pride Is a Revolution
The ‘Drag Race’ veteran on why she still shows up — and why Detroit's Pride stage is exactly where she belongs
Drag superstar Jessica Wild is (potentially) about to celebrate her first Pride in the Motor City. “This is my first Pride performance in Michigan,” the dynamic queen says before pausing and adding with a laugh, “At least I think it is. You get a little lost when you’ve been on the road for as many years as I have. But I’m almost certain this will be my first time celebrating Pride in Michigan!”
That sums up Wild pretty well. Both hilarious and endearing, her off-the-cuff style draws you in and makes you feel like you’re hanging with an old friend. But on top of her humor, Wild is also known for her commanding stage presence. Now, she’s set to light up Detroit’s Pride Stage at 3 p.m. June 7 during Motor City Pride.
Originally from Caguas, Puerto Rico, Wild has been performing in drag for almost 30 years, eventually even sashaying her way onto the second season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” in 2010, where she placed sixth. But she really flaunted her talents in 2023 when she returned for the eighth season of “All Stars.” She quickly became a fan favorite, and also the top pick for Bianca Del Rio, who was hosting the show’s companion talk series “The Pit Stop” during that season. Thanks to her outlandish outfits and fantastic lip syncs, Wild made it all the way to the final three, proving that 13 years after debuting on the show, her talents had only grown stronger.
Pride Source caught up with Wild to chat about trying her hand at comedy and rock music, Pride, the importance of drag and whether she’d ever consider another run on “Drag Race.”
You’ve been doing drag for almost 30 years now. You were performing before “Drag Race,” during the show’s rise to fame, and now, in this era where drag is both mainstream and popular, but also demonized. What’s it been like to see so many societal shifts happen throughout your career?
Drag has always been a political movement and art form that’s rejected by conservatives and people who don’t agree with our lives and our art. I think the main difference is that now drag is more mainstream, and with the rise of social media and with the current government, the attacks seem more intense. Definitely more now than when I started doing drag. But being able to do drag this long, and to be a part of the evolution of “Drag Race” has been a privilege and something I wouldn’t change for nothing.
With the amplified discrimination, do you think that’s also amplified the importance and the need for drag?
The community has been under attack for as long as I can remember. We’ve been fighting for our rights since forever. But I think the attacks have gotten more intense. For me, I want to show that drag is not a crime, it’s a celebration. It’s something that brings people together and brings joy in dark moments. I think it’s important to keep the strength and to keep showing up. Sometimes, I might feel a little bit scared to go to some places, but then I’m like, no, this is my art and this is who I am, so I have to go.
Most people probably know you because of “Drag Race” — I imagine that for a drag queen, getting on the show must be absolutely career-altering.
Absolutely. I take nothing about it for granted. I worked so hard, so when I got the call for Season 2, it was a huge opportunity to show the world who I am. The question of how drastically my life changed from the show is a question I could write an entire book about.
Is it true you got on that season because they had a promotion where people voted for you online?
Yes, but also, it seemed more like they kind of knew they wanted me already. I kept getting calls from the producers, and I remember thinking, “This is weird, it seems like they really want me.” I think they knew they wanted me from the beginning. But I did get a lot of love from fans online during the voting process.
What was it like being on TV?
Oh my god, wild! I was in a Subway one time getting a sandwich, and this big group of straight guys came on top of me, and I was like, I think they’re gonna attack me. I was actually scared. But then they were like, “Hey, aren’t you the Puerto Rican queen from that drag show?” Then they were like, ‘Oh my god, we watch that show!”
Would you ever consider competing on the show again?
Now… [pauses] …I think the answer is yes. A few years ago, if someone asked, I probably would have said no with all my heart, because it’s a lot. People have no idea. Only the girls who have been through it know. I think that if I had been sent home early, I would have wanted to try again. But I felt like I did everything, and that I achieved my goals and didn’t have anything else to prove.
But when that Season 11 “All Stars” promo came out, I felt a flame inside of me. Like, I think I want to go back. Tonight we’re even having a party to celebrate April Carrion, because she’s one of my sisters and she’s back on TV. It’s very special, and I’d love to go through that again.
I would love to see you back on “Drag Race, “and I hope it happens! I also know you have tons of gigs coming up, including some in Hong Kong, and even a special appearance at Motor City Pride here in Michigan. What can people expect if they come to see you at Pride?
For anyone who already knows Jessica Wild, they know I’m gonna bring high-energy numbers and lots of fun. I want you to sing with me, to feel happy, and to celebrate Pride and who we are. My goal is just to give a lot of love.
I want to show that drag is not a crime, it’s a celebration. It’s something that brings people together and brings joy in dark moments. I think it’s important to keep the strength and to keep showing up. Sometimes, I might feel a little bit scared to go to some places, but then I’m like, no, this is my art, and this is who I am, so I have to go.
— Jessica Wild
What was your first Pride like?
My first Pride was in San Juan, Puerto Rico, when I came out of the closet, I came out to my mom first. Then I came out to my dance teacher, who I call my father in the drag world and the gay world. I was 17, and my drag father told me to wait until I was 18, then said, "OK, let’s do it." So he took me to my first Pride. I felt protected because I was there with him, and it allowed me to just experience it all. I was like, wow, this is amazing. To see that I wasn’t alone in the world. To see everyone out in the streets having a good time. It was like couples, families and friends. It was very special.
I also remember my first New York Pride, which really opened my eyes. In Puerto Rico, it was more of a family situation, but in New York, I was out meeting boys and it felt more extravagant. But yeah, my first Pride will always have a place in my heart.
Speaking of Puerto Rico. When I visited, I was instantly hooked on the plantain dish, mofongo. When you go home to visit, does your mom ever make that for you?
Ohhhhh yes, my mom is a chef! When I go home to visit, I’ll be eating breakfast and she’s already asking what I want for lunch. But she’s an amazing cook for everything, from mofongo to arroz con gandules, pork, just everything. Puerto Rico is the type of place where, if I lose five pounds before going, I come back weighing 15 more.
Looking to the future, where do you hope your career goes from here? Is there anything you hope to accomplish that you haven't yet?
I obviously don’t want to die today, but if I did, you can say that Jessica Wild did everything she wanted. All my dreams have come true. I actually spoke about this recently to my friend, who is a psychologist. I was like, “I feel like I did everything,” and they were like…well, you still got a lot of life left, so you need to find new ways to challenge yourself. “All Stars” kind of proved that to me as well, showing me that I still have a lot more in me.
I’ve really started to love stand-up comedy, so I’m thinking of trying that out. I’d also love to start making more music, especially with a rock band. I did a live show with a rock band recently, and I feel like I formed a bond with these musicians. Even after doing the Rusical episode on “All Stars,” a lot of fans were saying I should sing rock music. I’m also planning a tour with my Puerto Rican sisters for next year, so there’s a lot coming up!
If you do end up partaking in another season of “All Stars,” are there any queens you’d love to compete against?
Well, first I’d want my sisters. I love all the girls, and I have no problem with anyone. But, for me, if I’m competing against people like Mariah Balenciaga, Morgan McMichaels or April Carrion, it will be happy competition. From the new generation, I would love to compete with queens like Jewels Sparkles and Morphine Love Dion. But you know, whoever is there is there…and they’ll be my competition, so I’ll just need to get rid of them!
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