“By senior year of high school, I felt like I knew who I was as a person. I knew I didn’t care what people thought about me, I knew I liked playing with the meaning of gender, and I knew I wanted to be an actor.”—from My Name’s Yours, What’s Alaska?
I’m envious of Alaska. Not for her beauty or fame. I envy her confidence and don’t give a f attitude IN HIGH SCHOOL! It took me thirteen more years to reach that level.
“It didn’t matter if you were really good at make up or if you were a giant hairy dude; you could make magic happen with Drag. It was like they were taking pop culture, flipping and inverting it, chewing it up, turning it queer, and spitting it back out again. It wasn’t lofty or unattainable; it was for everyone. It didn’t matter if you had money or an education.”
Alaska seems like a nice enough person. Sharon Needles is maybe not so nice. But we are only hearing Alaska’s side of their relationship.
I was expecting much more tea to be spilled in My Name’s Yours, What’s Alaska? The best revelation is that RuPaul films all three finalists winning Drag Race live. Only when the televised version airs do the winner (and the losers) discover who has really won.
Overall, this book is best for hardcore fans of Alaska or Sharon Needles. It would also be fascinating for any new Justins thinking about a career in Drag. 4 stars!
Thanks to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.