Drag Superstar. TV Personality. Cosmetics Entrepreneur. Musician. Comedian. Author. Digital Influencer. The iconic Trixie Mattel’s artistry spans across each of these titles.
Oct 9, 10 AM EST, The Fast Company Innovation Festival hosted “Beauty in the Extreme: A Conversation with Trixie Mattel.” Mattel candidly revealed her experiences with drag, other creative passions, and her relationship with her fans.
“When I was young in drag […], my primary inspiration, naturally, was America’s favorite 11 ½ inch fashion doll.” Bryan Firkus’ drag persona Trixie Mattel explores the humor of gender roles, gendered toys, and the double-standards and celebration of femininity. Mattel’s colorful aesthetic pairs perfectly with her hilariously realist personality. “I picked something that was so easy for audiences to really understand,” Mattel said. “Drag really speaks to adults who like to feel like kids.”
Mattel started performing drag on a small scale: Wednesdays, no paycheck, and with “six homosexuals who [were] too drunk to know [she was] even there.” Over time, crowds have surpassed thousands.
Mattel’s fan base is ever-expanding and diverse, but she is extremely conscious of her primarily female viewership. “Young women are like the best audience, they just – they give a shit,” Mattel said. “Women recognize that if they like something, they need to support it, or it goes away.”
Although Mattel now has a consistent fan base, she had to set aside music when drag was first becoming her full-time job. She started her career by performing with a guitar at her side and labeled her passion (and degree) as a challenging hobby. Fortunately, her successes and increased fan base have allowed her to focus on music.
In 2020, Mattel gladly embraces being a musician. Having released three studio albums and a compilation album, Mattel only plans to create more. Music has been and sometimes continues to be a risk, but her folk and country music has undoubtedly redefined the idea of drag music.
After gracing television screens on season seven of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Mattel starred alongside Drag Superstar Katya Zamolodchikova in the “UNHhhh” web series. “Hand to god, I don’t know how to spell it,” Mattel confessed.
When she returned to “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” in 2018, she celebrated third place. Mattel and Zamolodchikova have repeatedly and supportively joined and parted ways to focus on different projects between various shows and ongoing web series. Currently, “UNhhh” is airing its fifth season.
Beyond screen productions, Mattel has always been passionate about makeup. Having worked at Ulta, Sephora, and MAC, along with her drag makeup experiences, Mattel has a vast knowledge of makeup formula, texture, and color.
Her passion and entrepreneurship initiated the creation of Trixie Cosmetics. Trixie Cosmetics prioritizes creating quality, affordable pro-formulas with kids packaging. “Our POV is, “Can we give that adult, that kid experience again?””
As COVID-19 alters the world, Mattel has felt financially fortunate. The extra time at home allowed her to invest in her relationship, music, Youtube channel, and makeup line. Despite these positives, Mattel is aware of her privilege and has strived to use it for good. Throughout quarantine, Mattel has hosted free live concerts and several fundraisers. “If the audience is always there for me, and then they all lose their jobs, can I be there for them?”
Words by Ashley Wehrs
Images Provided by Trixie Cosmetics PR