Interview by: Sophia Lucina and Vivian Li
Sophia Lucina and Vivian Li of Moody Magazine sat down with Cheeks to take a closer look on how she takes on the dynamic scenes of New York City. Here’s what we uncovered.
MOODY: Welcome, Cheeks! Thanks for getting in the mood with us.
Cheeks: Not a problem–happy to be here!
So, let’s start from the beginning. How did you get into fashion and makeup to begin with?
I was like 7 to 10 years old and obsessed with Polly Pockets. I felt like they represented a little version of me, in a way. Granted, I didn’t recognize the fact that I wasn’t a white woman with blond, bombshell hair and made out of silicone. But…little did I know.
Adorable. Have you always been comfortable with this side of yourself?
I remember being 14, scrolling on Logo on DIRECTV. Drag race was playing, and it was my first time seeing these people dressed that way. I immediately clicked the channel off, and I was like, shattered. I was like, “I don’t know what these things are… I don’t know who these people think they are, but that’s not me.”
And why do you think you were so scared?
Looking back to myself at that young age, I just wasn’t ready to confront who I am today.
It’s interesting for me to find something – that was once derived from xenophobic fear –to eventually find comfort in these figures.
How do you feel that the Drag community, and fashion overall has allowed you to access that part of yourself?
Fashion helped me access an emerging ‘transness’ that wasn’t fostered yet, however, despite my confusion, I’ve recognized that fashion and drag have always been a part of me since my adolescence.
What would you consider your favorite part of the night?
My favorite part is performing. Interacting with the crowd. I believe in the power of audience interaction– While I’m performing, I tend to block everything else out, since all I’m focused on is my art. I’m not just doing choreography, I’m inside the choreography- responding to the crowds’ energy. I feel very strongly that people are portals. In this conversation that you and I have been having, I’ve been transported to a place where only the two of us are right now. And perhaps some electricity and some technology is facilitating that. But there is the uniqueness of the very moment that a person is existing in.
MOODY: Moody Magazine is all about expressing yourself without limits while celebrating inclusivity and authenticity — How would you define self expression?
When I came out as trans a few years ago, I began exploring my feminine side by wearing corsets and high heels. It was upon my realization that I was never really trying to make myself look feminine, I was trying to create a physical embodiment of this entity that lives inside my physical body.
Wow that was truly thought provoking–I have a final question for you. What do you want to tell others who are afraid to be themselves or like leave a message to the Moody community about individuality?
To those people who are struggling with self identity, I’ll tell you right now it doesn’t get easier, especially in an age of social media. In this digital age, it may seem like the world knows you, but they don’t–no one does. Moreover, although everyone is completely unique, it’s not always possible to express yourself as I’ve experienced–even in New York City, the “queer capital” of the United States, or perhaps the world, y’know.
However, there’s something special in finding ways to express your identity, tying into self-love. I recently came across works by Yumi Sakugawa, a Japanese writer, that recounts this idea of we are portals. A portal is individualized and unique, pulling from very specific energy to transport people to another place. In this conversation that you and I have been having, I’ve been transported to a place where only the two of us are right now. And perhaps some electricity and some technology is facilitating that. But there is the uniqueness of the very moment that a person is existing in. That it’s so powerful to me anyway, And I would say just lean into that, lean into the presentness of your unique character. You will never be the same ever again ever.
That was so powerful, Cheeks. I’m so excited for this interview and to share with everyone.