Meet The Duchess Samara Sin | Drag Queen & Costume Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with The Duchess Samara Sin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi The Duchess Samara, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
At the time I started drag I was actually a psychiatric nurse working full time both on the psych floor at a hospital as well as a specialized clinic. Once the COVID pandemic happened I spent more time working then I ever did at home, and I basically tried to find something to distract my mind that would allow me to disconnect from the reality of the world, and for me, that was Drag. It soon just became such a love for me that it became something I truly NEEDED to do.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am genuinely just a clown. I say it jokingly but I juggle, I swallow swords, I can ride a unicycle, and can even do balloon animals ! All in all , I’m just an entertainer who loves to merge the boundaries between horror and glamour. I’m the most proud of the amazing drag family that I have built for myself. My drag children and I have truly taken over every region that we’re from and just continue to work the absolute hardest to build our family legacy. I’m so proud to be surrounded by such impeccable artists who I love and admire, while also pushing myself to continue to be better. I’m excited to see where our family goes, and see our names engraved into the legacy that is LA Drag. I’m also proud of the fact that all my drag is all done by me, I design and make every single look I do from scratch. I’ve accomplished so much in these short years of starting drag, Im an Emmy Award Winner, Best Drag Performance Nominee, and next up ? Maybe the next winner of the great British bake off ? WHO KNOWS!

I got to where I am professionally by just loving what I do. I love the art of it all, I love the work it takes to get better, I love the commitment to building a name for yourself. I don’t do drag because I want to be on TV, I do it because I genuinely love the art of drag, it’s everything to me and I just seem to keep falling more and more in love with it which I think is what’s propelled me this far so quickly. Was it easy ? Absolutely not. But what in this life is easy ? Nothing. You either have to want to make things happen for yourself, or you’ll stay in the same place forever. It’s all about drive. How bad do you want this ? How much do you love this? I want this more than anyone else in the world and I love this like it’s the only thing that wakes me up every morning. I LOVE what I do, and nothing is ever going to take that feeling from me.

In this industry I’ve learned that we are constantly surrounded by people who “love and support” us …. But unfortunately the majority want to see you succeed, just not more then them. The level of competition / jealousy in this industry is actually insane. But I’ve learned to focus on me, the people that genuinely love me, and the people that genuinely support me.we are a small tight knit group, but we are unstoppable.

I want the world to know that I’m just a freaking clown ! It’s okay to laugh, it’s okay to have fun. My drag is all about shifting people’s perception of what drag can be. And I think the drag that a present is a perfect reflection of who I am as a human being behind all the costumes and makeup. I want people to fall in love with my art , because that is what makes me who I am. I’m a Black & Mexican Trans-Femme Sober Drag Queen (try saying that 5 times fast) and I showcase every part of who I am everytime I step out on that stage.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Now this is gonna have the girls making fun of me because I get made fun of for this, but a seafood boil !! First up on the roster is food, and im a big girl, I love to eat. We definitely going to ‘Kickin Crab’ and having a seafood boil. I also really love Thai food and my personal favorite is ‘Luv2Eat Bistro’. We just have to make sure we get some good eats while anyone is visiting around here, I’m also such a big “try new things” friend, so we would definitely go on the hunt to see what else we can try.

As for fun ? Oh baby we’re going to visit my entire drag family ANY day of the week, Beaches Weho, Rocco’s, The Abbey, Revolver, Mickys, Tropicana, Precinct; you name a queer bar in any part of LA and I guarantee one of my sisters is working there ! So we’re definitely gonna need to do the royal family of LA tour !

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to dedicate my shoutout to L.King, my childhood Bestfriend who was brutally murdered in front of me 17 years ago. Without them I would be nowhere near the person I am today, I owe all my accomplishments to them and everything they stood for. I love you L.King, thank you for allowing me to be who I am and for constantly being a reminder of what I stand for.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samarasinofficial?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
All Photos By:
Christine Sin