Drag and Determination w. Shontelle Sparkles

Drag QueenTherapyBackstreet Boys
Written By Deana Bianco

In this episode of So, What Brings You To Therapy, Deana recounts her recent experience attending a Backstreet Boys concert in Las Vegas. She shares her anxieties about attending the concert, her interactions with the band's memorabilia, and the joyful communal experience of the event despite not being familiar with their music. Deana also highlights her guest for the episode, Shontelle Sparkles, a legendary drag queen from Florida. They discuss Shontelle's experiences in the drag scene, dealing with family acceptance, the importance of drag families, overcoming self-doubt, managing mental health, and thriving in an often challenging and misunderstood community. The episode ends with a deep dive into the struggles and triumphs of being a drag performer in today's political climate.

Shontelle Sparkles’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shontellesparkles/

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4WgPRPgpMHaydpPoXQuSIV?si=1390de0f77cd467a

Deana Bianco


Deana Morton is a graduate of The Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at NYU and has written for Broadly, Dazed, Bustle, and Today’s Parent. She lives in Boulder, CO and is currently working on her first YA novel.

https://www.deanamorton.com
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